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The Electric State

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This article is about the graphic novel. For the film adaptation, see The Electric State (film).
The Electric State
AuthorSimon Stålenhag
Original titlePassagen
GenreDystopian science fiction
PublishedSeptember 25, 2018 (Skybound Books) (English)
Publication date
September 25, 2018
ISBN978-1-501-18141-2

The Electric State (Swedish: Passagen, lit. 'The Passage') is a 2018 dystopian science fiction illustrated novel by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag. Set in an alternate technologically ravaged 1990s, it follows a teenage girl and her robot on a journey to the West Coast of the United States in search of her long-lost brother.

In 2017, the Russo brothers acquired film rights to the book.[1] They directed and produced a Netflix film of the same title.[2]

Premise

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The book is told through a series of paragraphs, linked to large artworks. The principal plotline follows Michelle, a teenage orphan travelling to the West Coast with a robot companion, Skip, to find her long-lost brother. Flashbacks gradually reveal Michelle's past and the reason for her separation.

Along her journey, the book shows numerous robots scattered throughout the landscape either sentient or destroyed while living in a wasteland. Meanwhile, humans live peacefully in a futuristic utopia while using virtual headsets called Neurocasters that were created by the Sentre corporation. However things take a dark turn when Michelle gets closer to finding her brother.

Reception

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The Electric State was well-received by critics with a "Rave" rating from the book review aggregator Book Marks based on five independent reviews.[3] Critics at NPR and New York Journal of Books gave positive reviews.[4][5]

It received starred reviews from both Booklist and Publishers Weekly, where it was praised for the illustrations, writing, and structure of the graphic novel.[6][7]

Accolades

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NPR named it one of the best books of 2018.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Ohanesian, Liz (2 January 2019). "Road trip through post-apocalyptic California with a robot and a runaway in Simon Stålenhag's 'The Electric State'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  2. ^ Moore, Kasey. "'The Electric State' Netflix Movie: Everything We Know So Far". What's on Netflix. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Book Marks reviews of The Electric State by Simon Stalenhag". Book Marks. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  4. ^ Sheehan, Jason (21 October 2018). "Futuristic Dreams Turn To Nightmare In 'Electric State'". NPR KQED. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  5. ^ "a book review by Craig DiLouie: The Electric State". www.nyjournalofbooks.com. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  6. ^ Maguire, Susan. "Booklist Online: Leading Book Discovery". www.booklistonline.com. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  7. ^ "The Electric State by Simon Stalenhag". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  8. ^ "Best Books of 2018: NPR | The Electric State". NPR. 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
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