Defekt by Nino Cipri

Available April 20, 2021

Hey all! This week is the #TransRightsReadathon and I’m rounding up some of my favorite books by, or featuring, trans people. If you’d like more information about the origins and goals of this movement, you can find it here.

Last year, I was fortunate enough to read a review copy of Finna by Nino Cipri and I realized just a few moments ago, that I neglected to share that wonderful and quirky book with all of you. In Finna, we are introduced to the bizarre and chaotic world found within LitenVärld. A store so large, it’s very layout has the ability to create wormholes that can ensnare customers and employees alike.

In Defekt, we return to the mysterious world of LitenVärld and it’s eclectic group of employees. Derek is a proud employee of LitenVärld, spending his days stocking merchandise and creating beautiful displays in the many showrooms. Derek appreciates the company’s devotion to it’s employees as LitenVärld provides housing in the extra cargo containers at the end of the parking lot and drafts detailed employee handbooks, answering any and all questions that employees may have. Derek is always receptive to feedback on his performance and routinely practices smiling at customers in the mirror while getting ready for work. When Derek becomes unexpectedly ill, the first illness he can ever remember, a call to the employee helpline and a chat with his manager leave him with more questions than answers. When a high-up human resources official makes Derek the point person for a special inventory team, Derek realizes that everything he has ever known about the world, and his very existence, is a lie. Because truly, isn’t life better with more Derek’s?

This is a smart, snarky, and witty novella that is brimming with humor and insight into the human experience. Nino Cipri crafts these darkly hilarious novellas that break down the horrors of capitalism and it’s effects on people in such a way that you are laughing when you really should be enraged and crying. If you’ve ever been inside an extremely large department store, like an Ikea, you can imagine how massive the place would seem without any people in it. Now, add in an overnight shift and furniture that comes to life. It sounds like the start of a horror novel. But what if we didn’t immediately believe that everything that is different is inherently evil? What if we initiated contact with the hopes of understanding and creating a new friendship? This was a fascinating take on a “first contact” story. I also really enjoyed how the team of “Dereks” were not only different in personalities and temperaments, but also genders and identities. While it’s not necessary to have read Finna before Defekt, the two genuinely compliment each other and I highly recommend both. If you like witty and snarky takes on current events, this is definitely up your alley.

Intrigued? Feel like shopping? How about adding this to your bookshelf? You can find ordering information here:

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post also contains affiliate links and I do earn from qualifying purchases.