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A review by itshaldun
The Electric State by Simon Stålenhag
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
The simplest way to describe the Electric State would be “a beautiful nightmare”. It is set in an alternate reality 90s USA, in a post-apocalyptic (but not quite) world.
The main selling point of this graphic novel is, well, the graphics. Every single painting in this book could be a museum piece, there isn’t a single weak panel. Though digital, art is in style of oil paintings, although impossibly detailed to be one. They are incredibly atmospheric, with strong lighting and panoramic distance to them. They are what I’d imagine Edward Hopper would draw if he was interested in post-apocalyptic cyberpunk-ish nightmares.
The lore of the setting is told by our characters reminiscence of past, although the actual story and what our characters are up to aren’t told that much at all. Instead, the paintings are there to guide you through the setting, and in a way allow you to mold the story to your own imagination. Depending on your interpretation, it could be an astonishingly plain story with low stakes, or could be the beginning of a new era.
The book has all the criticisms of capitalism you love to hear, such as the excessive consumption, corporate takeover of nations, and man-made horrors beyond comprehension. Yes, please tell me how fucked up it all is!
Honestly, I can’t even exactly pinpoint why I’m not giving it 5 stars, maybe it just didn’t quite resonated with me as well as I hoped it would. However, if the book was just the imagines alone, I’d still give it 4 stars.
Seriously, going through the pages of this book with a glass of whiskey in your hand (which I didn’t have) on a rainy day (it wasn’t raining) is such a mood. Try it.
The main selling point of this graphic novel is, well, the graphics. Every single painting in this book could be a museum piece, there isn’t a single weak panel. Though digital, art is in style of oil paintings, although impossibly detailed to be one. They are incredibly atmospheric, with strong lighting and panoramic distance to them. They are what I’d imagine Edward Hopper would draw if he was interested in post-apocalyptic cyberpunk-ish nightmares.
The lore of the setting is told by our characters reminiscence of past, although the actual story and what our characters are up to aren’t told that much at all. Instead, the paintings are there to guide you through the setting, and in a way allow you to mold the story to your own imagination. Depending on your interpretation, it could be an astonishingly plain story with low stakes, or could be the beginning of a new era.
The book has all the criticisms of capitalism you love to hear, such as the excessive consumption, corporate takeover of nations, and man-made horrors beyond comprehension. Yes, please tell me how fucked up it all is!
Honestly, I can’t even exactly pinpoint why I’m not giving it 5 stars, maybe it just didn’t quite resonated with me as well as I hoped it would. However, if the book was just the imagines alone, I’d still give it 4 stars.
Seriously, going through the pages of this book with a glass of whiskey in your hand (which I didn’t have) on a rainy day (it wasn’t raining) is such a mood. Try it.