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Work-Life Balance: Malevolent Managers and Folkloric Freelancers
When a menacing multinational arrives on our shores, familiar creatures like pontianaks, manananggals, raksasis, and ba jiao guis are forced out of their jobs. Some give in and sign up for mundane corporate life – but others would rather fight than join the broken-spirited hordes of the (desk)bound.
Benjamin Chee’s comics and Wayne Rée’s prose intertwine in this collection to bring you familiar Asian mythology in an even more familiar setting: the realm of dead-end work, glass ceilings, and truly hellish bosses.
Benjamin Chee’s comics and Wayne Rée’s prose intertwine in this collection to bring you familiar Asian mythology in an even more familiar setting: the realm of dead-end work, glass ceilings, and truly hellish bosses.
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2022
6 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
March 24, 2024
3.5 Incredibly interesting read! So this book is a combination of writing by Wayne Ree and comic side from Benjamin Chee. This book is advertised as a satirical take on the hierarchies or "higher ups" in a company and working in general. The book leans into southeast Asian folklore using creatures such as Pontianaks, manananggals, raksasis and ba jiao guis to tell the story. Some portraying "monsters" in a working environment but also being who you are as a person OUTSIDE of your job.
It's also multi generational so it's start off with the patriarch of a family teaching the next in line on how to "handle" creatures, Only Zee knows in their core that this ISN'T right. When it is their turn to take over they do it a little differently, creating a safe space for the creatures who just want to "exist".
A little further on another generation is faced with choosing between what she HAS to do but knows is wrong or what she wants to do.
This was such a fascinating book, but one I feel would make a little more sense the second time your read it - I might just do that.
"It is invigorating to realise that there are other ways to be me. That I'm not just a worker for The company... and that I'm not just tied a single place" - Xiao Haung
This book has also made me scared of Banana trees IYKYK!
It's also multi generational so it's start off with the patriarch of a family teaching the next in line on how to "handle" creatures, Only Zee knows in their core that this ISN'T right. When it is their turn to take over they do it a little differently, creating a safe space for the creatures who just want to "exist".
A little further on another generation is faced with choosing between what she HAS to do but knows is wrong or what she wants to do.
This was such a fascinating book, but one I feel would make a little more sense the second time your read it - I might just do that.
"It is invigorating to realise that there are other ways to be me. That I'm not just a worker for The company... and that I'm not just tied a single place" - Xiao Haung
This book has also made me scared of Banana trees IYKYK!
March 28, 2024
This was an interesting concept, and I enjoyed the folklore in this.
However, I couldn't connect with the story and multitude of characters as this kept jumping between novel format to comic. It was difficult for me to fully enjoy this book.
However, the illustrations were lovely!
However, I couldn't connect with the story and multitude of characters as this kept jumping between novel format to comic. It was difficult for me to fully enjoy this book.
However, the illustrations were lovely!
June 8, 2024
I got the most unique reading experience this year thanks to this book!
Served in a prose slash comic format, Work-Life Balance clashes two things that I wouldn’t dream to be clashed: the struggles of modern corporate life and Southeast Asian ghosts. Also the title “Work-Life Balance” basically screams nonfiction! Needless to say, when I picked up this book, I didn’t really know what was in store for me.
“The Company” in this book is filled with pontianaks, manananggals, ba jiao guis, raksasis, toyols, other ghosts and demons, and also some humans. There are also “pale demons” like Mammon and Belial, and a demon with questionable motive (but don’t they all have questionable motive?) named Mephistopheles, who delivers the end sentence quite memorably.
This got me thinking... maybe the workplace in real life is not too far off, maybe it's also inhabited by demons and ghosts, that's why it feels like hell sometimes, LOL 🤣
From its many characters, maybe I relate most to Xiao Huang, a ba jiao gui who eventually learned that the fault is in the system, not in herself, and that “there are so many different ways.. to be me.”
The storytelling, especially on the prose sections, can be confusing and takes some time to get used to, but the illustrations by Benjamin Chee are incredibly unique. Maybe it requires a reread to make sense of it all. But it's still enjoyable nonetheless.
It also comes with an accompanying text-based game (wlbgame.differenceengine.sg), but I haven’t tried it yet.
Served in a prose slash comic format, Work-Life Balance clashes two things that I wouldn’t dream to be clashed: the struggles of modern corporate life and Southeast Asian ghosts. Also the title “Work-Life Balance” basically screams nonfiction! Needless to say, when I picked up this book, I didn’t really know what was in store for me.
“The Company” in this book is filled with pontianaks, manananggals, ba jiao guis, raksasis, toyols, other ghosts and demons, and also some humans. There are also “pale demons” like Mammon and Belial, and a demon with questionable motive (but don’t they all have questionable motive?) named Mephistopheles, who delivers the end sentence quite memorably.
This got me thinking... maybe the workplace in real life is not too far off, maybe it's also inhabited by demons and ghosts, that's why it feels like hell sometimes, LOL 🤣
From its many characters, maybe I relate most to Xiao Huang, a ba jiao gui who eventually learned that the fault is in the system, not in herself, and that “there are so many different ways.. to be me.”
The storytelling, especially on the prose sections, can be confusing and takes some time to get used to, but the illustrations by Benjamin Chee are incredibly unique. Maybe it requires a reread to make sense of it all. But it's still enjoyable nonetheless.
It also comes with an accompanying text-based game (wlbgame.differenceengine.sg), but I haven’t tried it yet.
December 13, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. ok if youre looking for reasons to pick up this book.........one of it is definitely bc of tHE 👏 ILLUSTRATIONS 👏 truly enjoyed admiring them like...YALL. i have no other words, the artwork is so amazing?????? 😍😍😍
the idea of incooperating comic together with prose to express an unbalanced modern-day work culture with supernatural elements is something refreshing & i love it!!! however, i do find the story quite disjointed especially when it switches from one medium to another medium as it tells the same story. it can be quite confusing and it might probably take some time to get used to it. 😅 its probably just me but i couldnt get into a conclusion..........
i might probably have to give a re-read at a right time but i like how it gives me a new reading experience overall. i guess its a great start to look forward to reading in such a unique format. i also like how it comes with a free game ~ the gameplay took me around 20mins to finish and its quite a decent addition to the book. would recommend playing it after reading the book or generally if youre into a dialogue tree gameplay!! 🎮
the idea of incooperating comic together with prose to express an unbalanced modern-day work culture with supernatural elements is something refreshing & i love it!!! however, i do find the story quite disjointed especially when it switches from one medium to another medium as it tells the same story. it can be quite confusing and it might probably take some time to get used to it. 😅 its probably just me but i couldnt get into a conclusion..........
i might probably have to give a re-read at a right time but i like how it gives me a new reading experience overall. i guess its a great start to look forward to reading in such a unique format. i also like how it comes with a free game ~ the gameplay took me around 20mins to finish and its quite a decent addition to the book. would recommend playing it after reading the book or generally if youre into a dialogue tree gameplay!! 🎮
January 9, 2025
Наполовину звичайна книга, наполовину комікс про Сінгапур, де живуть та працюють не тільки люди, але й духи та демони. Герої місцевого фольклору ходять на роботу і терплять своїх босів-демонів, забувають пообідати, здають звіти невчасно й іноді не можуть згадати, що в них було якесь життя поза цим корпоративним бедламом.
Ідея насправді прекрасна, а коміксні вставки з зображенням героїв в традиційному для регіону одязі роблять розповідь багатшою на деталі. Мені дуже сподобався весь той лор, який автори придумали для цієї роботі, пояснення того, як працює цей світ, відсилки до мітів, казок і страшних історій Південно-Східної Азії. Автори також розробили інді-гру на основі цієї книжки.
Мені здалося, що автори зосередилися на сюжеті й побудові світу, проте недостатньо уваги приділили персонажам (окрім їхнього дизайну) і просто атмосфері. Через коротку форму (200 сторінок) не вистачило часу просто побути в створеному авторами світі, насолодитися комізмом ситуації, пожартувати про офісну роботу, тощо. Сама зав'язка сюжету як ніщо розполагає до безкінечного офісного гумору, але його недодали. Можливо, мені просто хотілося подовше затриматися в цьому творі, але його об'єм цього не дозволив.
Ідея насправді прекрасна, а коміксні вставки з зображенням героїв в традиційному для регіону одязі роблять розповідь багатшою на деталі. Мені дуже сподобався весь той лор, який автори придумали для цієї роботі, пояснення того, як працює цей світ, відсилки до мітів, казок і страшних історій Південно-Східної Азії. Автори також розробили інді-гру на основі цієї книжки.
Мені здалося, що автори зосередилися на сюжеті й побудові світу, проте недостатньо уваги приділили персонажам (окрім їхнього дизайну) і просто атмосфері. Через коротку форму (200 сторінок) не вистачило часу просто побути в створеному авторами світі, насолодитися комізмом ситуації, пожартувати про офісну роботу, тощо. Сама зав'язка сюжету як ніщо розполагає до безкінечного офісного гумору, але його недодали. Можливо, мені просто хотілося подовше затриматися в цьому творі, але його об'єм цього не дозволив.
February 18, 2024
Finally got the chance to read this graphic novel over a lazy Sunday afternoon after being gifted it nearly a year ago. All in all, it was an enjoyable read and I felt that it covered a lot of struggles modern Singaporeans have with regard to having dead-end careers and struggling to find fulfillment and joy outside of work.
The good:
-The artwork in this graphic is done very intricately and beautifully. I especially really loved the traditional SE Asian designs that can be seen through the clothing, architecture, and the final fight scenes.
-The MC goes by they/them pronouns, which I thought was a great nod to how many pre-colonial SE Asian cultures did not adhere to binary interpretations of gender.
-The depiction of workplace politics wasn't too kitschy, and in fact, was depressingly realistic.
-I really appreciated how the leadership of "The Competition" was made up almost exclusively by women and non-binary demons, not just because of representation, but because (as alluded in the annex), a lot of myths about female demons stem from unfair mysoginistic and patriarchal views on women's suffering.
-The "Inhuman Resources" annex is really witty, well-drawn, and helpful!
The not-so-good:
-Overall, I found the prose to be a bit clunky and confusing-I often found myself reading a sentence over and over again because I couldn't grasp who was doing what, and for what reason. I also found that although the graphic art portions of the book successfully fleshed out and covered a lot of the narrative gaps found in the prose, it still felt like there were big chunks of the narrative that was missing, along with huge time jumps that felt out of place.
-Perhaps this was a deliberate choice, but even as I flipped to the final page, I could not for the life of me understand The Company's objective, other than "bringing on the end of the world." But then again, that's a thing in the corporate world IRL anyway, so...perhaps that was the point.
-It really bugged me that the only Filipino character in this book was a domestic helper.
Can we please create Filipino characters living in Singapore that have other career paths please!
P.S. Where is this delicious pesto sandwich store is in the CBD?
The good:
-The artwork in this graphic is done very intricately and beautifully. I especially really loved the traditional SE Asian designs that can be seen through the clothing, architecture, and the final fight scenes.
-The MC goes by they/them pronouns, which I thought was a great nod to how many pre-colonial SE Asian cultures did not adhere to binary interpretations of gender.
-The depiction of workplace politics wasn't too kitschy, and in fact, was depressingly realistic.
-I really appreciated how the leadership of "The Competition" was made up almost exclusively by women and non-binary demons, not just because of representation, but because (as alluded in the annex), a lot of myths about female demons stem from unfair mysoginistic and patriarchal views on women's suffering.
-The "Inhuman Resources" annex is really witty, well-drawn, and helpful!
The not-so-good:
-Overall, I found the prose to be a bit clunky and confusing-I often found myself reading a sentence over and over again because I couldn't grasp who was doing what, and for what reason. I also found that although the graphic art portions of the book successfully fleshed out and covered a lot of the narrative gaps found in the prose, it still felt like there were big chunks of the narrative that was missing, along with huge time jumps that felt out of place.
-Perhaps this was a deliberate choice, but even as I flipped to the final page, I could not for the life of me understand The Company's objective, other than "bringing on the end of the world." But then again, that's a thing in the corporate world IRL anyway, so...perhaps that was the point.
-It really bugged me that the only Filipino character in this book was a domestic helper.
Can we please create Filipino characters living in Singapore that have other career paths please!
P.S. Where is this delicious pesto sandwich store is in the CBD?
April 15, 2024
Now this was a unique read! I am thankful I was invited to join this global read-along, and had the opportunity to read this Asian, mythological, prose/comic mashup! It was a very quick read, since there were many sections filled with illustrations and comic-style text.
The Asian folklore and mythology was something I had learned a bit about through a recent read-along of “The Formidable Miss Cassidy” @mei_the_force (specifically the pontianaks and toyols). I learned about some more of these characters, and I found the illustrated guide at the end of the book very helpful in exploring their histories and their powers/traits.
The part that will be relatable for most readers is the office/corporate setting. There were so many scenarios that many readers will connect with and probably laugh about. Things like, “Per my last email” and that one employee who everyone wonders, “Just what do they do here!?” 😂
Thank you to @tandemcollectiveglobal and @differenceenginesg for this interesting & interactive read-along 👏🏼
The Asian folklore and mythology was something I had learned a bit about through a recent read-along of “The Formidable Miss Cassidy” @mei_the_force (specifically the pontianaks and toyols). I learned about some more of these characters, and I found the illustrated guide at the end of the book very helpful in exploring their histories and their powers/traits.
The part that will be relatable for most readers is the office/corporate setting. There were so many scenarios that many readers will connect with and probably laugh about. Things like, “Per my last email” and that one employee who everyone wonders, “Just what do they do here!?” 😂
Thank you to @tandemcollectiveglobal and @differenceenginesg for this interesting & interactive read-along 👏🏼
Read
June 8, 2023this was so fun!! a blend of satirical prose and graphic novel with gloriously classic southeast asian mythology and aesthetics. queer (including probably the first non binary singaporean character i've read) and with light commentary on colonialism and modernisation. I wish the structure was a little more intertwined and the satire pushed a little deeper, but I really enjoyed this.
April 5, 2024
This is not just my second Singaporean folkloric literature but also my second illustrated book after The Handmaid's Tale. This book is based on Singaporean folkloric characters like the Pontianaks, Mephistopheles, Manananggals, Ba Jiao Guis, Raksasis, Toyols and more. What happens when the mythical characters are faced with real-life problems that happen in the corporate world today? When a multinational company rises overnight, the mythical characters are at risk of losing their jobs and must fight against malicious forces to resist becoming regular corporate employees.
This book was a combination of prose and illustration and was very short when looking from a comic point of view. It was entertaining to read how folkloric characters would deal with modern-day problems and devise a solution. The illustrated portion went super swift, while the prose took too long to understand. The problem I had with the book was that it took very long for me to understand what was going on in the book until the comic part helped a bit later. Some characters were solid and straightforward, while others were just there without any purpose. I would recommend this as a one-time read if you are invested in trying out an illustrated book or trying to experiment with reading something out of your zone.
This book was a combination of prose and illustration and was very short when looking from a comic point of view. It was entertaining to read how folkloric characters would deal with modern-day problems and devise a solution. The illustrated portion went super swift, while the prose took too long to understand. The problem I had with the book was that it took very long for me to understand what was going on in the book until the comic part helped a bit later. Some characters were solid and straightforward, while others were just there without any purpose. I would recommend this as a one-time read if you are invested in trying out an illustrated book or trying to experiment with reading something out of your zone.
September 25, 2025
an absolutely joyous read!! this was such a fun book and i sped through it so quickly. the concept is really novel (haha) and not something i would have ever thought of - intertwining prose and comics - but it worked out so well. chee and ree both have such distinctive voices in their respective mediums, and it added dimension to the story without feeling disjunctive.
i’m not a comic reader but i did also really like the panels and the art style. character design, action scenes and all were really great. the only nit-picky things that stood out to me in the comic sections was that the shading used made it hard for me to see details at times.
on the whole though, i didn’t understand the ending. but i did really end up having love for all the characters. they were written in ways that, for the relative simplicity of the prose, humanised them in a way that was quite endearing. most importantly, its a story that i felt managed to communicate some important, thought-provoking themes whilst never taking itself too seriously. so fun!!
i’m not a comic reader but i did also really like the panels and the art style. character design, action scenes and all were really great. the only nit-picky things that stood out to me in the comic sections was that the shading used made it hard for me to see details at times.
on the whole though, i didn’t understand the ending. but i did really end up having love for all the characters. they were written in ways that, for the relative simplicity of the prose, humanised them in a way that was quite endearing. most importantly, its a story that i felt managed to communicate some important, thought-provoking themes whilst never taking itself too seriously. so fun!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2022
What a fresh idea!
conceit: short stories centring around the supernatural in singapore - each one accompanied by the story in comics format, "remixing it", as one of the book's authors, Wayne, says, and then working new ideas from the comics sections back into the short stories. the book closes with a guide to the monsters you might encounter, and the characters within. I really like the concept, both in terms of content and structure - the latter really seems to reflect the more collaborative working age we find ourselves in, and is really supportive of readers who struggle with large amounts of text for whatever reason.
A couple of sample notes from the stories-
Take Over: nonbinary protagonist, great introduction to the folklore and mythology of the region for someone living outside of it (me), the prose situates your senses in a kind of solid dream; and then all your mental images are confirmed and reshaped by the following comic!
hearsay: opening line immediately hooks you in with a familiar feeling: a demon in middle management, and it just builds beautifully from there.
conceit: short stories centring around the supernatural in singapore - each one accompanied by the story in comics format, "remixing it", as one of the book's authors, Wayne, says, and then working new ideas from the comics sections back into the short stories. the book closes with a guide to the monsters you might encounter, and the characters within. I really like the concept, both in terms of content and structure - the latter really seems to reflect the more collaborative working age we find ourselves in, and is really supportive of readers who struggle with large amounts of text for whatever reason.
A couple of sample notes from the stories-
Take Over: nonbinary protagonist, great introduction to the folklore and mythology of the region for someone living outside of it (me), the prose situates your senses in a kind of solid dream; and then all your mental images are confirmed and reshaped by the following comic!
hearsay: opening line immediately hooks you in with a familiar feeling: a demon in middle management, and it just builds beautifully from there.
April 12, 2024
I recently finished this as part of the tandem global readalong. I loved the mix of comics and prose, and it was a really refreshing format that was really engaging. The idea of using the modern workplace setting with fantastical/mythological characters from South-east Asian folklore who had to adapt to the corporate life was great and funny to see how it worked out. It was great to see how the characters were supposed to look, and the comic secrions really brought them to life. I found myself flying through this as it was an easy read.
April 4, 2024
Big thanks to @tandemcollectiveglobal and @differenceenginesg for having me as part of an international Readalong. This was a really cool graphic novel.
When an evil corporation muscles in on a collective of monsters from asian mythologies, what choice do they have but to trade in fangs and claws for files and clipboards? But when the corporation goes too far... who are the monsters in the story?
I loved a lot of things about this graphic novel, I got to learn about a ton of mythological creatures I hadn’t encountered before. It’s a story where the corporate evil are literally demons and the oppressed employees are monsters. But are they actually? We see them struggling to make ends meet and using their mythological powers to help people. And then the battle really begins
Favorite Part - I loved seeing the monk helping one of the characters to reinvent herself into an avenging powerful creature who could bring help to people who really need it after she thought she was all washed up.
When an evil corporation muscles in on a collective of monsters from asian mythologies, what choice do they have but to trade in fangs and claws for files and clipboards? But when the corporation goes too far... who are the monsters in the story?
I loved a lot of things about this graphic novel, I got to learn about a ton of mythological creatures I hadn’t encountered before. It’s a story where the corporate evil are literally demons and the oppressed employees are monsters. But are they actually? We see them struggling to make ends meet and using their mythological powers to help people. And then the battle really begins
Favorite Part - I loved seeing the monk helping one of the characters to reinvent herself into an avenging powerful creature who could bring help to people who really need it after she thought she was all washed up.
August 31, 2025
This book exceeded my expectations. Despite being a satire of corpo work culture, the horror-fantasy worldbuilding was spectacular enough that I’d read the hell out of another story set in it. The art was fantastic too, & I just loved the Southeast Asian vibes in the reinterpretation of the prose.
April 28, 2025
Quedé 👁️👄👁️ No entendí mucho la verdad.
April 21, 2025
What’s it about?
Folkloric creatures who have been living amongst regular people were forced out of their jobs when a multinational company put up shop in Singapore…
https://open.substack.com/pub/donein9...
Folkloric creatures who have been living amongst regular people were forced out of their jobs when a multinational company put up shop in Singapore…
https://open.substack.com/pub/donein9...
March 28, 2024
This is a must-read for office workers. I feel like anyone who has worked for a large corporation or in an intense bureaucracy can relate to the pressure to tamper oneself down, hiding your true self just to exist.
The art was just beautiful throughout, with so many intricate details you’re going to want to spend time staring at the pages feeling immersed in the world that was created. The blending of Singaporean and other cultures’ folklore together into one novel made for such an interesting reading experience. I loved learning about all of these different creatures and the character list in the epilogue definitely helps to give that helpful background.
Thank you to the authors, artists, and to Tandem Collective for hosting this Readalong!
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The art was just beautiful throughout, with so many intricate details you’re going to want to spend time staring at the pages feeling immersed in the world that was created. The blending of Singaporean and other cultures’ folklore together into one novel made for such an interesting reading experience. I loved learning about all of these different creatures and the character list in the epilogue definitely helps to give that helpful background.
Thank you to the authors, artists, and to Tandem Collective for hosting this Readalong!
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March 28, 2024
An interesting mix of concepts & styles!
May 15, 2023
3.25*
tw: implied domestic abuse
video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1MAf...
tw: implied domestic abuse
video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1MAf...
March 25, 2024
"Work-Life Balance" is a masterful tapestry woven from threads of humor, mythology, and the all-too-real grind of the 9-to-5 life. Wayne Rée's sharp, insightful prose combined with Benjamin Chee's stunning illustrations creates a world where the mythological and the corporate not only coexist but collide in the most intriguing ways. This book is a rare gem that shines a light on the daily struggles of office life, but with a twist that keeps you flipping the pages eagerly.
Having personally endured the challenges of working in a toxic environment for many years, the journey to finding the courage to listen to my gut and resign was both difficult and liberating. This personal backdrop made my connection to the characters, especially Huang, deeply resonate with me. Huang's struggles and triumphs against the backdrop of a soul-crushing corporate setting felt eerily similar to my own experiences, adding an extra layer of depth and relatability to the narrative for me.
The stories, ranging from the tale of a nonbinary protagonist navigating both the modern workplace and their heritage to the demonic dealings of middle management, are as varied as they are captivating. Rée's ability to ground fantastical elements in the reality of work-life strife is nothing short of genius, and Chee's artwork complements this by breathing vivid life into each character and scene. The intricate details in the illustrations pay homage to Southeast Asian culture, adding layers of depth and authenticity to the narrative.
One of the book's standout features is its inclusive portrayal of characters, notably incorporating nonbinary perspectives and challenging pre-colonial views on gender. The book doesn't shy away from heavier themes either, touching on colonialism, modernization, and the often misogynistic underpinnings of traditional folklore. Yet, it manages to do so with a lightness and wit that engages rather than preaches.
The addition of the "Inhuman Resources" annex is a stroke of brilliance, offering readers a guide to the mythological beings that populate the stories. This not only serves as a helpful reference but also enriches the reading experience by providing context to the folklore that shapes the book's world.
While the blending of prose and graphics is largely successful, the desire for a deeper interweaving of the two mediums echoes in my mind as the only aspect that could have been enhanced. Nevertheless, this does little to detract from the overall enjoyment and immersion offered by "Work-Life Balance."
As someone who loves both the richness of Southeast Asian mythology and the relatable woes of the working world, this book felt like it was written just for me. It's a refreshing take on the often-stale narratives surrounding work culture, injecting humor, history, and heart into every page. Whether you're a fan of graphic novels, folklore, or just looking for a fresh perspective on the every day, "Work-Life Balance: Malevolent Managers and Folkloric Freelancers" is a must-read.
Thanks to Tandem Collective (Global and UK) and Difference Engine for sending me a copy of this stunning book and having me as part of the readalong.
Having personally endured the challenges of working in a toxic environment for many years, the journey to finding the courage to listen to my gut and resign was both difficult and liberating. This personal backdrop made my connection to the characters, especially Huang, deeply resonate with me. Huang's struggles and triumphs against the backdrop of a soul-crushing corporate setting felt eerily similar to my own experiences, adding an extra layer of depth and relatability to the narrative for me.
The stories, ranging from the tale of a nonbinary protagonist navigating both the modern workplace and their heritage to the demonic dealings of middle management, are as varied as they are captivating. Rée's ability to ground fantastical elements in the reality of work-life strife is nothing short of genius, and Chee's artwork complements this by breathing vivid life into each character and scene. The intricate details in the illustrations pay homage to Southeast Asian culture, adding layers of depth and authenticity to the narrative.
One of the book's standout features is its inclusive portrayal of characters, notably incorporating nonbinary perspectives and challenging pre-colonial views on gender. The book doesn't shy away from heavier themes either, touching on colonialism, modernization, and the often misogynistic underpinnings of traditional folklore. Yet, it manages to do so with a lightness and wit that engages rather than preaches.
The addition of the "Inhuman Resources" annex is a stroke of brilliance, offering readers a guide to the mythological beings that populate the stories. This not only serves as a helpful reference but also enriches the reading experience by providing context to the folklore that shapes the book's world.
While the blending of prose and graphics is largely successful, the desire for a deeper interweaving of the two mediums echoes in my mind as the only aspect that could have been enhanced. Nevertheless, this does little to detract from the overall enjoyment and immersion offered by "Work-Life Balance."
As someone who loves both the richness of Southeast Asian mythology and the relatable woes of the working world, this book felt like it was written just for me. It's a refreshing take on the often-stale narratives surrounding work culture, injecting humor, history, and heart into every page. Whether you're a fan of graphic novels, folklore, or just looking for a fresh perspective on the every day, "Work-Life Balance: Malevolent Managers and Folkloric Freelancers" is a must-read.
Thanks to Tandem Collective (Global and UK) and Difference Engine for sending me a copy of this stunning book and having me as part of the readalong.
March 24, 2024
📖 There were numerous aspects of corporate idiosyncracies woven into the cocoon of local legends and folklore : hostile takeovers and acquisitions done under the guise of 'care', bosses not appreciating your work, but never managing to do without it, dynamics between colleagues, 'betrayal,' the emotional support coffee machine, you name it, this book has it.
📖One particular aspect along those lines that I found particularly pertinent : was the inclusion of the 'monsters' facing an employment crisis due to modernization. It's not difficult to establish a parallel between this and the current scenario of employment : with manual labour taking a huge blow because of AI and automation in almost every sector of every industry. That is a problem common to most parts of the world, and it requires addressing. What better way than such creative outlets to do it?
📖 Including the backgrounds regarding the characters was helpful, but, like a lot of other people, I do believe that including that at the beginning of the book would have been a better choice. The formatting of the text can often be challenging to comprehend and understand in line with the overall plot, more so because the comic strips aren't exactly analogous with the text and have its own additions : they're complementary, not the exact same. Basically, you may need to read a few portions more than once.
📖 The illustrations boast an extraordinary style that was interestingly Oriental in nature : from the clothes to the backgrounds to the physiques, it's beautiful to see the characters come to life in their uniqueness. I do love the graphics ardently.
📖 Overall, it is a highly interesting theme and niche, that can pique anyone's interest. Reading it along with the other members was fun and enjoyable, and the activities really added to the experience. Not to mention the fact that I learnt a lot about local folklore and Singapore in general!
📖One particular aspect along those lines that I found particularly pertinent : was the inclusion of the 'monsters' facing an employment crisis due to modernization. It's not difficult to establish a parallel between this and the current scenario of employment : with manual labour taking a huge blow because of AI and automation in almost every sector of every industry. That is a problem common to most parts of the world, and it requires addressing. What better way than such creative outlets to do it?
📖 Including the backgrounds regarding the characters was helpful, but, like a lot of other people, I do believe that including that at the beginning of the book would have been a better choice. The formatting of the text can often be challenging to comprehend and understand in line with the overall plot, more so because the comic strips aren't exactly analogous with the text and have its own additions : they're complementary, not the exact same. Basically, you may need to read a few portions more than once.
📖 The illustrations boast an extraordinary style that was interestingly Oriental in nature : from the clothes to the backgrounds to the physiques, it's beautiful to see the characters come to life in their uniqueness. I do love the graphics ardently.
📖 Overall, it is a highly interesting theme and niche, that can pique anyone's interest. Reading it along with the other members was fun and enjoyable, and the activities really added to the experience. Not to mention the fact that I learnt a lot about local folklore and Singapore in general!
April 16, 2024
My summary: A fun and worthwhile short book about Singaporean folklore in a soulless corporate setting that mixes forms with comics and prose. It was neat, even if I was a tiny bit confused by the plot line as I went along.
***
Ancient spirits who were free agents in the past have slowly become a part of a larger, modern corporate machine in the guise of The Company, run by power-hungry entities that want to destroy humankind. However, it’s not so much about the war on humans, but rather the soul-destroying, stultifying ethos of the over-managed corporate landscape. Here, rather than truly battling good and evil, middle management is a purgatory that’s hard to escape.
The other theme is of being true to oneself in the face of societal assumptions. These spirits are long misunderstood, and thrive when allowed to be themselves…their blood thirsty qualities seem less malevolent when they are allowed freedom to use their judgement and select victims who are deserving of wrath. I doubt it’s an accident that most of these entities are female, or children, and often killed by male demon hunters. And the upper management at The Company? They’re generally male as well.
I learned about pontianaks, toyols, manananggals (whose torsos separate from their bottom halves to fly around and suck people’s blood) and rāksasīs, amongst others.
The stories follow a chronological order, but the time frames are hazy, and the plot is disjointed, as the prose and comic overlap their stories but build on one another. They are kind of “inspired by'' each other. I think this book suits a reading in one or two sittings, aware of the overall message and vibe while not looking for strict plot coherence. A bit disconcerting at first, but when I let myself go with it, it ended up really working!
***
Ancient spirits who were free agents in the past have slowly become a part of a larger, modern corporate machine in the guise of The Company, run by power-hungry entities that want to destroy humankind. However, it’s not so much about the war on humans, but rather the soul-destroying, stultifying ethos of the over-managed corporate landscape. Here, rather than truly battling good and evil, middle management is a purgatory that’s hard to escape.
The other theme is of being true to oneself in the face of societal assumptions. These spirits are long misunderstood, and thrive when allowed to be themselves…their blood thirsty qualities seem less malevolent when they are allowed freedom to use their judgement and select victims who are deserving of wrath. I doubt it’s an accident that most of these entities are female, or children, and often killed by male demon hunters. And the upper management at The Company? They’re generally male as well.
I learned about pontianaks, toyols, manananggals (whose torsos separate from their bottom halves to fly around and suck people’s blood) and rāksasīs, amongst others.
The stories follow a chronological order, but the time frames are hazy, and the plot is disjointed, as the prose and comic overlap their stories but build on one another. They are kind of “inspired by'' each other. I think this book suits a reading in one or two sittings, aware of the overall message and vibe while not looking for strict plot coherence. A bit disconcerting at first, but when I let myself go with it, it ended up really working!
March 24, 2024
This book was delightfully unique combining prose and graphic novel illustrations. It was really intriguing and completely different to anything I had ever read before which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Let’s start with the artwork in this book - I am no expert on graphic novels but I have to say I loved the artwork in this book, it was clever and beautiful.
I enjoyed the premise of this book which took a very modern issue of capitalism, overwork, stress and combined it with Singaporean folklore to tell the tale with a very unique twist. I’m not too sure what I was expecting going into this book but it definitely wasn’t this. I loved the idea of ‘the corporation’ and then these folkloric creatures going into battle to overturn the corporation.
The writing in the book tells the tales in quite a simple and easy to follow way. The guide that was provided at the back of the book setting out some information about the folklore was really interesting and I wish I had read it before reading the rest of the book as I think it would have added to my understanding and reading experience.
I found some of the presentation - the mixing of the two story telling medias a little confused at times - the chapter would tell a story in one way and the in the graphic novel part the story would start in the same way but sometimes would go off on a different tangent. I found both separately interesting but when put together I found it a little disjointed.
I enjoyed my experience with this book, I am intrigued by the mixed media style and I would be interesting into looking into some other books which do this
Let’s start with the artwork in this book - I am no expert on graphic novels but I have to say I loved the artwork in this book, it was clever and beautiful.
I enjoyed the premise of this book which took a very modern issue of capitalism, overwork, stress and combined it with Singaporean folklore to tell the tale with a very unique twist. I’m not too sure what I was expecting going into this book but it definitely wasn’t this. I loved the idea of ‘the corporation’ and then these folkloric creatures going into battle to overturn the corporation.
The writing in the book tells the tales in quite a simple and easy to follow way. The guide that was provided at the back of the book setting out some information about the folklore was really interesting and I wish I had read it before reading the rest of the book as I think it would have added to my understanding and reading experience.
I found some of the presentation - the mixing of the two story telling medias a little confused at times - the chapter would tell a story in one way and the in the graphic novel part the story would start in the same way but sometimes would go off on a different tangent. I found both separately interesting but when put together I found it a little disjointed.
I enjoyed my experience with this book, I am intrigued by the mixed media style and I would be interesting into looking into some other books which do this
March 26, 2024
A novella, a graphic novel, and a game (link below) in one!
The book combines a satirical look at corporate life with South East Asian beings from folklore - as I am a fan of both of these elements, I was so excited to see how they would intersect, and I think Chee and Rée have done a great job! I'd say it leans a bit more towards the folklore aspect.
The story spans over a decade of the characters' working lives, with each chapter putting one of the ensemble characters in the spotlight. Sections of the book alternate between prose and comic, with the comic sections going into further detail of some scenes from the prose sections, and then expanding the story. I felt that this style helped to reinforce parts of the plot and gave us a little more insight into the camaraderie between the characters.
It's a very quick read, but the creators did a great job of making a cast of relatable and compelling characters in a very short time. However, I do think it could benefit from being a bit longer and exploring more of the characters lives during their daily grind.
I'm pretty new to the world of graphic novels, and while I'm still not sure that I'll necessarily be reaching for one any time soon, I would love to see more of these types of prose/graphic novel collaborations. The comic parts definitely added something and elevated the book.
Link for the accompanying text-based game: Internal Damnation
Read as part of the Tandem Collective Global Readalong. Thank you to Tandem and Difference Engine for my copy of the book!
(AD-PR PRODUCT)
The book combines a satirical look at corporate life with South East Asian beings from folklore - as I am a fan of both of these elements, I was so excited to see how they would intersect, and I think Chee and Rée have done a great job! I'd say it leans a bit more towards the folklore aspect.
The story spans over a decade of the characters' working lives, with each chapter putting one of the ensemble characters in the spotlight. Sections of the book alternate between prose and comic, with the comic sections going into further detail of some scenes from the prose sections, and then expanding the story. I felt that this style helped to reinforce parts of the plot and gave us a little more insight into the camaraderie between the characters.
It's a very quick read, but the creators did a great job of making a cast of relatable and compelling characters in a very short time. However, I do think it could benefit from being a bit longer and exploring more of the characters lives during their daily grind.
I'm pretty new to the world of graphic novels, and while I'm still not sure that I'll necessarily be reaching for one any time soon, I would love to see more of these types of prose/graphic novel collaborations. The comic parts definitely added something and elevated the book.
Link for the accompanying text-based game: Internal Damnation
Read as part of the Tandem Collective Global Readalong. Thank you to Tandem and Difference Engine for my copy of the book!
(AD-PR PRODUCT)
December 1, 2024
So, this book is something of an oddity. Is it a novel that has graphic novel elements? Is it a graphic novel with large prose sections? Is it just a hybrid? I'm kind of coming down on the side of the latter to be honest.
It's a duet. Chee and Ree take an idea and both apply their own unique stamp to it, each of them altering the sum of the whole. Chee's art changed the direction of Ree's prose and vice versa.
And it's an interesting overall idea. Corporate tedium matched with South East Asian mythology (and a little Japanese mixed in), where "Western" demons (Mammon, Belial, Mephistopheles, Nergal, etc) open a company and employ local demons to... end the world? The end goal of the company is a little vague, as is what they actually do there, but it's not really the point of the story.
It's also not like Chee sticks to the "reality" in the graphic novel sections that Ree includes in the prose. Chee is doing his own very stylised alternate reality thing where everybody is wearing more "traditional" costuming or armour or some fantasy interpretation of same. And I'm not gunna lie... Chee's art is where this falls down a little for me. Partially his style that basically makes everyone, demons, monsters and humans alike being mostly nose-less, which just makes the many side profile shots look really weird to me.
It's fun, it's just not necessarily my vibe.
But it's an interesting overall story, and I mostly enjoyed it.
Oh, it's also the first time I've read something that had an accompanying "visual novel" browser based game, which I played this morning, and which sits alongside the book, storywise.
It's a duet. Chee and Ree take an idea and both apply their own unique stamp to it, each of them altering the sum of the whole. Chee's art changed the direction of Ree's prose and vice versa.
And it's an interesting overall idea. Corporate tedium matched with South East Asian mythology (and a little Japanese mixed in), where "Western" demons (Mammon, Belial, Mephistopheles, Nergal, etc) open a company and employ local demons to... end the world? The end goal of the company is a little vague, as is what they actually do there, but it's not really the point of the story.
It's also not like Chee sticks to the "reality" in the graphic novel sections that Ree includes in the prose. Chee is doing his own very stylised alternate reality thing where everybody is wearing more "traditional" costuming or armour or some fantasy interpretation of same. And I'm not gunna lie... Chee's art is where this falls down a little for me. Partially his style that basically makes everyone, demons, monsters and humans alike being mostly nose-less, which just makes the many side profile shots look really weird to me.
It's fun, it's just not necessarily my vibe.
But it's an interesting overall story, and I mostly enjoyed it.
Oh, it's also the first time I've read something that had an accompanying "visual novel" browser based game, which I played this morning, and which sits alongside the book, storywise.
August 4, 2025
Saat semua hutan dan ladang berubah menjadi gedung-gedung bertingkat dan manusia hanya percaya pada apa yang bisa dilihat oleh mata, apakah masih akan tetap ada hantu, setan, dan dedemit?
Work-life Balance: Malevolent Managers and Folkloric Freelancers dimulai dengan kisah Zee, seorang anak laki-laki berusia 7 tahun, anak dari seorang dukun terkenal di Singapura, yang pertama kali menyaksikan ayahnya membunuh Pontianak. Sebagai penerus keluarga, Zee dipaksa untuk belajar dengan melihat dari dekat ketika Pontianak itu dibunuh dengan menancapkan paku di lehernya. Tapi Zee menolak untuk meneruskan tradisi keluarga. Alih-alih membunuh, dia memilih untuk membuat sanctuary bagi makhluk halus di rumahnya.
Aneh ya?
Ya, ceritanya sampai akhir memang cukup aneh, sampai-sampai saya bingung bagaimana harus mereview buku ini. Ada banyak hal dari buku ini yang terasa sangat menarik bagi saya. Kita dikenalkan dengan berbagai jenis hantu Asia Tenggara dengan cerita latar belakangnya masing-masing, seperti Pontianak (Sundel Bolong?), Manananggal (Kuyang?), dan Ba Jiao Gui (Kuntilanak?). Ceritanya disampaikan dalam 2 bentuk yaitu prosa dan komik yang membuatnya menjadi unik. Versi prosa menarik karena lebih detil, sedangkan versi komik juga menarik karena lebih ringan dan tentunya menyenangkan untuk dilihat.
Tapi ada banyak juga hal yang tidak saya pahami dari buku ini. Yang pertama, tokoh utamanya, Zee, disebut dengan kata ganti jamak 'They/Them'. Yang kedua, tidak ada penjelasan tentang pekerjaan apa yang dikerjakan oleh hantu-hantu itu di 'The Company' sehingga cerita ini terasa seperti kehilangan arah, dan akhirnya ending yang sulit dimengerti. Saat selesai membaca, saya pun cukup bingung tentang cerita apa yang sebenarnya sudah saya baca 😅
Work-life Balance: Malevolent Managers and Folkloric Freelancers dimulai dengan kisah Zee, seorang anak laki-laki berusia 7 tahun, anak dari seorang dukun terkenal di Singapura, yang pertama kali menyaksikan ayahnya membunuh Pontianak. Sebagai penerus keluarga, Zee dipaksa untuk belajar dengan melihat dari dekat ketika Pontianak itu dibunuh dengan menancapkan paku di lehernya. Tapi Zee menolak untuk meneruskan tradisi keluarga. Alih-alih membunuh, dia memilih untuk membuat sanctuary bagi makhluk halus di rumahnya.
Aneh ya?
Ya, ceritanya sampai akhir memang cukup aneh, sampai-sampai saya bingung bagaimana harus mereview buku ini. Ada banyak hal dari buku ini yang terasa sangat menarik bagi saya. Kita dikenalkan dengan berbagai jenis hantu Asia Tenggara dengan cerita latar belakangnya masing-masing, seperti Pontianak (Sundel Bolong?), Manananggal (Kuyang?), dan Ba Jiao Gui (Kuntilanak?). Ceritanya disampaikan dalam 2 bentuk yaitu prosa dan komik yang membuatnya menjadi unik. Versi prosa menarik karena lebih detil, sedangkan versi komik juga menarik karena lebih ringan dan tentunya menyenangkan untuk dilihat.
Tapi ada banyak juga hal yang tidak saya pahami dari buku ini. Yang pertama, tokoh utamanya, Zee, disebut dengan kata ganti jamak 'They/Them'. Yang kedua, tidak ada penjelasan tentang pekerjaan apa yang dikerjakan oleh hantu-hantu itu di 'The Company' sehingga cerita ini terasa seperti kehilangan arah, dan akhirnya ending yang sulit dimengerti. Saat selesai membaca, saya pun cukup bingung tentang cerita apa yang sebenarnya sudah saya baca 😅
April 1, 2024
If you’ve ever had the urge to have a drink after work because of awful bosses, experienced the vague sensation of missing some small part of your soul because of the 9-5, or realised that the everlasting hustle was stealing time from your social life, then this book might be for you!
Combining Southeast Asian folklore and reality, comic book layout and prose, this tale brings you the contrasts between being who you feel you have to be and being who you can be and the results are unusual, interesting, and funny in places.
I think to get the best from this book, you will already need to know a little something about the folklore being referenced, or read the back portion first and be prepared to do a little research to get the full context. Also check if the line art is to your taste. I like books that combine illustrations and prose for adults (like Alison by Lizzy Stewart or How to Have Feminist Sex by Flo Perry) but I lean more towards the illustrations being more integrated with the text. This felt quite separate to me, like I was reading two independent interpretations of the same brief, rather than one flowing story.
There were parts that I could relate to and it made me chuckle a couple of times. I did like how the ‘monsters’ were squeezed into a corporate model and for that I’m glad I got to read this.
3.5 rounded up.
Combining Southeast Asian folklore and reality, comic book layout and prose, this tale brings you the contrasts between being who you feel you have to be and being who you can be and the results are unusual, interesting, and funny in places.
I think to get the best from this book, you will already need to know a little something about the folklore being referenced, or read the back portion first and be prepared to do a little research to get the full context. Also check if the line art is to your taste. I like books that combine illustrations and prose for adults (like Alison by Lizzy Stewart or How to Have Feminist Sex by Flo Perry) but I lean more towards the illustrations being more integrated with the text. This felt quite separate to me, like I was reading two independent interpretations of the same brief, rather than one flowing story.
There were parts that I could relate to and it made me chuckle a couple of times. I did like how the ‘monsters’ were squeezed into a corporate model and for that I’m glad I got to read this.
3.5 rounded up.
March 24, 2024
Zee has taken over his father’s business, but he wants to definitely run it totally different than how his dad did. He wants it to be more positive instead of negative. Will Zee’s company be taken over by a bigger company? How does this bigger company work?
I loved how this book talked a lot about the Singaporean mythology and it was great learning more about it on my own, but it was difficult to follow since I didn’t really know the backstory of mythological creatures.
How does mythology and work mix together? You’ll see when you read this book! I loved how the mythological creatures were incorporated in this book as others who worked at the companies. It was interesting to see how each mythological creature had different personalities and was an asset to the company in different ways. I liked how as a reader, you can totally see some coworkers have similar characteristics as the characters in this book.
I only wished that the creatures and spirits guide was in the front of the book rather than the back of the book. I feel like this would’ve helped the readers have a better grasp of the characters in this book as it was a bit of a challenge to know the characteristics of the creatures when you don’t know anything about them to begin with.
I loved how this book talked a lot about the Singaporean mythology and it was great learning more about it on my own, but it was difficult to follow since I didn’t really know the backstory of mythological creatures.
How does mythology and work mix together? You’ll see when you read this book! I loved how the mythological creatures were incorporated in this book as others who worked at the companies. It was interesting to see how each mythological creature had different personalities and was an asset to the company in different ways. I liked how as a reader, you can totally see some coworkers have similar characteristics as the characters in this book.
I only wished that the creatures and spirits guide was in the front of the book rather than the back of the book. I feel like this would’ve helped the readers have a better grasp of the characters in this book as it was a bit of a challenge to know the characteristics of the creatures when you don’t know anything about them to begin with.
April 9, 2024
Work-Life Balance is a very interesting and innovative book in theory; combining the traditional novel with graphic storytelling. In practice, however, it just did not work well. With the two modes of storytelling, the plot was incredibly difficult to discern. I really had to ~work~ to glean any sense of a storyline, and no book should require you to do that. Work-Life Balance has all the tell-tale signs of a half-baked idea. It would have been a fabulous book, if it had been fully cooked.
Additionally, I was under the impression that there would be a clear allegory here, Animal Farm style. The allegory in Work-Life Balance being the distorted relationship our society now has with our jobs and the hierarchy of professions. However, this did not turn out to be the case. At least it did not translate this way for me, leaving me wondering what point this book was trying to make.
A very unique concept, but unfortunately underdeveloped. This book would have benefited from another round or two of developmental edits.
2.5⭐️
*Thank you to #TandemReadalong for having me on this readalong.
Additionally, I was under the impression that there would be a clear allegory here, Animal Farm style. The allegory in Work-Life Balance being the distorted relationship our society now has with our jobs and the hierarchy of professions. However, this did not turn out to be the case. At least it did not translate this way for me, leaving me wondering what point this book was trying to make.
A very unique concept, but unfortunately underdeveloped. This book would have benefited from another round or two of developmental edits.
2.5⭐️
*Thank you to #TandemReadalong for having me on this readalong.
April 12, 2024
I wasn’t to sure what to expect going into this, being that I have read a Graphic Novel before wasn’t sure that I would be able to understand Folklore - but I was so surprised and I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be ok the lookout for my graphic novels in the future.
A story of Malevolent Mangers - The Company vs. The Competition. It is humorous and relatable to the comings and goings of work, businesses, its workers, bosses and the cultures that exist within and around these.
The way Wayne and Ben have been able to mix their talents is amazing - Wayne with his writing and Ben with his Comics. They really do compliment each other and make for an easy to follow and seamless story that will have you laughing.
I loved the explanations of the creatures and spirits at the end of the book, I was easily able to place many people that have come through my life into one or more of these categories and even that for the evil monsters who how up in the book 😂
Thank-you so much Tandem, Benjamin and Wayne for the opportunity to participate in this Readalong.
Do you have a favourite Graphic Novel that you recommend I should pick up?
A story of Malevolent Mangers - The Company vs. The Competition. It is humorous and relatable to the comings and goings of work, businesses, its workers, bosses and the cultures that exist within and around these.
The way Wayne and Ben have been able to mix their talents is amazing - Wayne with his writing and Ben with his Comics. They really do compliment each other and make for an easy to follow and seamless story that will have you laughing.
I loved the explanations of the creatures and spirits at the end of the book, I was easily able to place many people that have come through my life into one or more of these categories and even that for the evil monsters who how up in the book 😂
Thank-you so much Tandem, Benjamin and Wayne for the opportunity to participate in this Readalong.
Do you have a favourite Graphic Novel that you recommend I should pick up?
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