Workplaces are so unpredictable with their brand new people, new set of social rules and work pressure. While workplace romances have their own place in the literary genres, I think it is the perfect setting for social satires and even horror. Commenting on the social decline, unfair expectations at work and adjusting with other people at an individual level, it all seems the perfect set-up for exploring a number of genres through this setting.

Coincidentally, among the 40 odd books I have read so far this year, quite a few were set in the workplace. While some were unremarkable, the workplace not leaving much of a trace on the plot, some were quite distinguishably rooted in the kind of environment a workplace created.

So without further ado, here are the four books set in the workplace that left a mark:

1. Molka by Monika Kim

Horror at workplace but the humans are scarier than the ghost. Monika Kim’s latest, Molka, addresses the growing issue of hidden cameras in women’s washrooms to film them unaware. The book is chillingly written with the consequences of the offenders, men, catching up with them.

The story has a lot of depth to categorise it into either horror or a workplace commentary. It is emotional in tone and has revenge as the crux of the plot. This is about sisters as much it is about toxic masculinity and patriarchy in full force at a South Korean office.

2. Break Room

A reality show where you are nominated by your coworkers based on your annoying habits at work. You are, then, locked in with a bunch of stragers coworking in your rooms by yourseves. The only time you get to interact with them is when you are in the break room with them.

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Break Room by Miye Lee is darkly funny in its social commentary and the satirical comedy on human behaviour. Memorable in its outlandishness, Break Room takes the cake in embodying the social anxieties of workplaces and blending it with K-drama-esque reality TV with a satirical undertone.

3. Vanishing World

Among all of Sayaka Murata’s works, Vanishing World was the most disturbing to read. While this was not strickly set in a workplace, the world has been turned into something like that as this book portrayed a futuristic society where traditional family units are broken down and procreation is a work effort, clinical and unemotional.

Murata’s execptional writing and world-building comes alive in this story. As uncomfortable as this book was to read (and I rated it low), the essence of society catering to life like it is completely a senseless task to be followed through is too close a comparison to modern-day workplace environment.

4. Dinner at the Night Library

A job at a library that only functions at night sounds great. The employees also get cafeteria food that is inspired by the books stored in the library. There’s mystery, intrigue and shady goings on at the library.

Dinner at the Night Library by Hika Harada has the comfort of Japanese fiction with mystery blended into it. Secrets dog every step of every employee of the library and the biggest one of them all is carried by the manager about who actually runs the library and recruits the employees. You can check out the full review here.

(I earn a small commission from every qualified purchase from the link to continue reading and reviewing)

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Have you read any of the Korean Healing Fiction books or these book specifically? What are your thoughts on them?

Feel free to drop a comment or reach out to me across social media at @thecalcuttanbibliophile. I would love to hear from you.