History, CBR17 Pie Chart Challenge
TITLE: The Electric State by Simon Stålenhag
REVIEW: It is complex. It is different. It is familiar. It is sad. It is confusing. It is straight forward. It is something you have never read before. It is something you know. You will get something from it and everyone else will get their own thing, but everyone will experience it emotionally. Or not. Just read it already, alright
I cannot tell you about this book as I am not really 100% sure of what I read. It is probably one of the most obvious, straight forward books I have read, and it has more curves than a Playboy magazine spread. The illustrations are really the main focus for me, as they do help tell things a bit more. However, there is a lot of text and it is not easy to read text. There are several trigger moments. While they do not show war, or nudity, there is talk about nudity and the war. There is a quick section that talks about abuse and there is some psychological bullying. There is also something that can be likened to extreme drug abuse and a descriptive section on bodies in dumpsters.
It all comes down to technology. Those who need it, those who want it, those who think it is Satan’s work. Our narrator gives us flashbacks, current events and more as we travel a dystopian world that has no law and order. It only has chaos. And people addicted to neurocasters (a urinal looking unit that is implanted on your head and it controls all. It even controls war. And due to the radiation, it causes stillbirths. Yet, people line up for its orgasmic rush. It is also told in dark, earthy toned illustrations that are almost photographic. The carcass of the machines, old world (hello ads for McDonalds, Burger King, and futuristic companies that started the additions) and more loam across the pages. An oversized coffee table book assaults the senses with some of the more beautiful ugliness around. Don’t judge a book by its cover is true here, as while this is an important image in the book, it does not begin to let you know what they are all about.
Things unfold and there were a few points of the story I missed (I think it needed a second read, at least), as things unfold in an odd pattern. Not for a casual reader or artistic / graphic novel reader. It looks like there was a tv movie as well that seems to focus on a few of the plot points I missed. There is a lot going on but you need to experience it on your own terms, at your own speed. I recommend a quiet location, no distractions, and take your time.
