pickA girl travels with her yellow robot across 1997 America where society has collapsed thanks to some VR-like helmets.
The story feels quite unfinished and full of gaps, but it's really awesome nonetheless. If you like science fiction and/or dystopian and/or graphic novels, this is a must read. The artwork is eerily beautiful.
#scifi #dystopian #graphicnovel #swedish
so-soA pretty interesting story with gorgeous art. Drops you right in the middle of the tale. If you don't like ambiguity, you won't like this. A VR headset causes societal collapse, but some areas still function, but the machine may be evolving, but none of that matters to the protagonist, so you don't get the full story. Excellent art and world building, though.
#12booksof2022
My July pick goes to The Electric State, an understated, illustrated short story that I remember more for its beauty than its plot.
I've added the other books to my TBR but they are quite pricey and I'm supposed to be doing a #nobuy2023 (with exceptions 😇😉). The artwork is stunning. Check it out.
These pictures don't do the artwork justice, but you can see the eerie, chilling beauty of the illustrations...
Stunning 💙
pickThe Electric State is a short story told in illustrated form about a young woman's journey across the American landscape with her small yellow robot, Skip.
Most of the "plot" is implied or drip-fed to us as she makes her way through this dystopian alternative reality.
The story doesn't add up to much, but the illustrations are on a par with some of the most gorgeous concept art I've seen.
Breathtakingly stunning artwork makes it ââââ 4 stars.
pickA masterpiece. Reading Electric State was an experience unlike reading any other work of science fiction. Not because it‘s well written and immaculately illustrated. But because of the balance between these two elements. At times the narrative stops and absorbing Electric State is an aesthetic experience. Taking it in, with glass of wine in hand, was absolute pleasure. Any child of the 80s who enjoys dystopian science fiction must read this.
What I read in December 2020, closing out the year strong, especially on the graphic novel front. Least favorite was A Boy Called Christmas. Favorites were The Electric State; The Low, Low Woods; Heartstopper; Murder Mysteries; The Right Swipe; You Brought Me the Ocean; and This Winter. Bloom was a reread I may have loved even more the second time around. 💙
pickThis book destroyed me. The artwork is haunting and gorgeous, and the story is unique and left just ambiguous enough without being totally incomprehensible. There's even a tragic queer story in here. I cried through the last twenty or so pages. I'm so glad I read this, and also damn you, Simon Stålenhag, you've wrecked me. If you're looking for stunning visuals and a devastating, character-driven dystopian sci-fi story, this is probably for you.
"You're having trouble reconciling...the fact that all that is you, all your thoughts and experiences and knowledge and taste and opinions,...exist inside your cranium. So you tend not to dwell on [it],...satisfied with a fuzzy image of a gaseous, transparent Something floating around in an undefined void. Maybe you don't even put it into words, but we both know that you're thinking about an archetypical soul. You believe in an invisible ghost."
pickAn unsettling alternate history set in 1997, with America‘s citizens enthralled to virtual reality and suffering the aftermath of neurological warfare. 18-year-old Michelle is on a road trip mission with her sentient robot, surrounded by eerie additions to the Mojave dessert & mountain landscapes on their way to the Pacific. This oversized illustrated novel has amazing artwork across double pages. Surreal, creepy & beautiful. #graphicnovel
The illustrations in this science fiction novel are outstanding.
…it turned out to be some kind of shooting range, and all the ducks were riddled with impacts from various kinds of large-caliber rounds.
A dog stood between two tree trunks, a lonely little white chihuahua. It was wearing a tiny coat and was trembling and looking at us with its ears pointing straight up.
pickThis is a really cool illustrated novella or maybe short story about a girl traveling cross country with her droid sidekick, Skip.
Virtual reality has bypassed TV as Americans‘ favorite pastime. And it turns out to be heavily addictive.
These illustrations are incredibly realistic, and this is a dark tale of a strange land that‘s actually pretty easy to see current technology creeping towards.
pickPretty good story but some amazing artwork in this illustrated sci fi story of a teenage girl and a robot on a cross country trip through a desolate post apocalyptic northwest America.
pickPart graphic novel, part dystopian coming-of-age, with a sprinkle of "The Road" thrown in for good measure....this was unlike anything I'd ever read before, and I really enjoyed it.
A #blameitonlitsy pick!! Saw this one at the library and remembered seeing it on here.
This book is huge! Can't really tell from the picture but it's like coffee table book sized
I wouldn't say I actually understood the story all that much, but I adored the pictures and the setting- alternate 1990s with ominous technology.
And I see the author has other books I need to check out!!
pickI was not expecting this book to be half as haunting (or eerily beautiful) as it turned out. Recommended by a slight acquaintance ages ago, I finally picked it up from the library this week. It bowled me over with its simple yet spare story. The art is amazing. I highly recommend this one.
(Side note, the timing of this read could not be better as it‘s very reminiscent of Black Mirror, and I just finished binging that series this week)
I had a serious case of magpie grabby hands while volunteering at the library today... I ended bringing home quite the assortment of books! 💚📚😂 #libraryhaul #canthelpmyselfsometimes
Currently reading before work.
The art in this book is amazing. Atmospheric, dystopian, quiet and haunting.
#illustratednovel #scifi
This book is incredible. So beautifully illustrated but such a great story to. 100 percent worth a read 🙂
pickOmg that ending! Those illustrations!!! Stalenhag‘s imagination is wonderful, terrifying, and meaningful.
Pretty cool book and idea. Can definitely see the future this is talking about
Getting my holiday shopping done. This one goes to a good friend who I'm fairly sure doesn't follow me on here.
The Electric State | 
