Delving into the Fictional Self-Help World of "The You You Are"
Apple TV Plus’s psychological thriller series, "Severance," introduces viewers to a compelling narrative centered around Lumon Industries, a company that practices a controversial procedure known as "severance," which surgically divides an employee’s memories between their work and personal lives. Within this intriguing world, the show subtly weaves in elements of a self-help philosophy through the fictional book "The You You Are: A Spiritual Biography of You," penned by the enigmatic Ricken Hale. Adding another layer to the show’s mystique, Apple has released a free downloadable version of the book, allowing fans to immerse themselves further in the narrative’s underlying themes.
"The You You Are," presented as an eight-chapter excerpt, offers a glimpse into the philosophy that permeates Lumon Industries. The book, narrated in audiobook format by Michael Chernus, who plays Ricken Hale in the series, adopts the familiar tone and style of self-help literature, often echoing real-world examples within the genre. The cover art itself evokes comparisons to other well-known self-help books, further blurring the lines between fiction and reality. This deliberate mirroring invites viewers to examine the often-unquestioned acceptance of self-improvement ideologies.
The promotional material accompanying the book’s release maintains the in-universe perspective, describing it as a guide towards "self-learnedness" and a path to merging with one’s true self. This language, characteristic of self-help rhetoric, hints at the potential for manipulation and indoctrination within Lumon’s corporate culture. The book’s opening, a letter from the fictional author Ricken Hale, apologizes for the incomplete nature of the released version, citing "events beyond my control." This adds an element of mystery and further fuels speculation about the true nature of Lumon and its practices.
The narrative takes an unexpected turn with its opening sentence, referencing a fictional anecdote about Wolfgang Mozart’s childhood, immediately establishing a sense of unease and suggesting that the seemingly benign self-help philosophy may conceal darker undertones. This jarring juxtaposition of a revered historical figure with a fabricated violent act sets the stage for the book’s exploration of potentially harmful ideologies masked by seemingly positive language.
The online reaction to the book’s release adds another dimension to the experience. Fans have embraced the fictional world, leaving tongue-in-cheek reviews on the Apple Books page, praising Ricken Hale as a visionary and expressing their desire to meet him. This playful engagement with the fictional text further blurs the boundaries between the show’s narrative and the audience’s reality, creating a unique interactive experience.
By releasing "The You You Are" as a companion piece to the series, Apple has crafted a unique transmedia experience, allowing viewers to delve deeper into the philosophical underpinnings of "Severance." The book serves not just as a promotional tool, but as a significant narrative element, enriching the show’s themes and prompting reflection on the influence of self-help philosophies in both the fictional world and our own. The book’s deliberate mimicry of real-world self-help tropes encourages viewers to critically examine the promises of self-improvement and the potential for manipulation inherent in such ideologies. The interactive element of fan engagement further blurs the lines between fiction and reality, creating a truly immersive and thought-provoking experience.
