Hi everyone! I hope you are doing well. I’ve been having trouble finding this particular book in store so it took me a bit to get my hands on this one. I only live by bigger bookstores like Barnes and Noble so I don’t get the fun indie stuff. That’s beside the point, though. I have a fun review for you today so I won’t do my usual rambling. Let’s talk about Several People are Typing.

Content Warning: Some Harsh Language, Some Discussions of Sex

Gerald is a mid-level employee working for an advertising firm in New York City. Everything is going fine until his conscience gets uploaded into Slack, his company’s internal messaging system. Every time he reaches out for help his co-workers think he is just pranking them. One co-worker, who happens to be Gerald’s neighbor, discovers his comatose body in the apartment. Until they can figure out how to get Gerald back in his body, he must help his co-workers with a client’s PR disaster. The longer Gerald spends in Slack, though, the more he realizes that he may not be able to escape.

I immediately gravitated toward the unique writing style of Several People Are Typing. The entire book is told through Slack channels and instant messaging. If you have worked in a corporate setting, then you are probably very familiar with these kinds of messaging systems. (I personally know quite a bit about Microsoft Teams.) This book gave me major Black Mirror vibes with its commentary on workplace culture, social interactions, and privacy. Calvin Kalsulke uses this digital style to explore human interactions and the limits of technology. I also enjoyed how the novel incorporated a sweet little romance into this rather strange and existential narrative. Several People Are Typing was such a fun and unique read. Anyone who has worked in a corporate setting will enjoy this satirical novel.