The Electric State

In an alternate 1997 America, a teenage girl and her robot companion travel west across a landscape transformed by neurotechnology and its aftermath. The journey takes them through a California dotted with the remnants of a technological disaster involving virtual reality headsets and abandoned machinery. The narrative combines text with Stålenhag's signature artwork depicting monumental technological ruins, derelict robots, and vast Western landscapes. Each spread pairs atmospheric illustrations with sparse prose that builds the story of the protagonists' cross-country trek. The setting exists at the intersection of 1990s nostalgia, post-apocalyptic fiction, and retro-futuristic technology. Within this world, characters navigate the physical and psychological wreckage of a society reshaped by mass addiction to virtual reality. The Electric State examines humanity's relationship with technology and poses questions about consciousness, connection, and the price of escaping reality. Through its blend of visual and written storytelling, it creates a meditation on isolation in an interconnected age.

Readers emphasize the haunting artwork and atmospheric storytelling, noting how the illustrations and text work together to build a sense of desolation. Many cite the book's ability to convey complex emotions through minimal text. Liked: - Detailed, cinematic illustrations that tell their own stories - The balance of nostalgia and unease - Subtle world-building through visual details - Brief but impactful narrative text Disliked: - Some found the story too sparse and wanted more plot development - Price point ($35-40) considered high - Text can be hard to read against dark backgrounds - Several mentioned wanting more explanation of the world's technology Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Common review quote: "The art does most of the heavy lifting while the text provides just enough context to make the imagery more impactful." - Multiple Goodreads reviewers

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🔌 Author Simon Stålenhag created the entire narrative around his pre-existing artworks, rather than illustrating a story he had already written. 🤖 The book's dystopian setting was inspired by both the 1990s tech boom and the decay of industrial America, blending nostalgia with a warning about technological excess. 🎮 The virtual reality helmets featured in the book were partially influenced by early VR gaming devices like Nintendo's Virtual Boy and the growing VR culture of the 1990s. 🎬 The Russo Brothers (known for Marvel's Avengers films) acquired the film rights, with Millie Bobby Brown set to star in the adaptation for Universal Pictures. 🎨 Stålenhag created the book's artwork using digital painting techniques combined with photographic elements, achieving his signature photorealistic style that makes the impossible seem eerily plausible.