the electric state

 The Electric State 

The Electric State is a dystopian illustrated novel crafted by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag, released in 2018. It offers a chilling portrayal of an alternate America in the 1990s, marked by technological decline and societal disintegration. The story centers on a teenage girl named Michelle and her robotic companion, Skip, as they traverse the barren terrain of the Southwestern United States in search of Michelle’s missing brother.

 

Narrative Structure 

This book utilises a distinctive storytelling approach that merges minimal text with breathtaking illustrations. Each page showcases expansive artwork that illustrates the devastated landscape and the remnants of advanced technology, including massive battle drones and forsaken robots. The narrative progresses through a sequence of paragraphs interspersed with these visuals, crafting an immersive experience that highlights the emotional depth of Michelle’s quest and the desolation of her environment.

 

Themes 

Technological Addiction 

A key theme in The Electric State is the influence of technology on society. The narrative explores how a virtual reality system called the Neural Network gained widespread acceptance after its initial military development. This technology led to rampant addiction among users, causing both physical and mental decline. Many individuals became ensnared in virtual realms, neglecting their fundamental needs and facing starvation or other severe repercussions.

 

Societal Collapse 

The setting of Michelle’s journey is a world ravaged by warfare and technological excess. The story alludes to a conflict waged with drones operated remotely by pilots far removed from the combat zone, resulting in extensive collateral damage to civilians. As Michelle navigates this desolate environment, she encounters various signs of societal breakdown: stores protected by armed youths, wandering groups of VR addicts, and the remnants of once-advanced technologies now diminished to mere shadows of their former selves.

 

Personal Loss and Memory 

Michelle's journey encompasses not only the search for her brother but also a confrontation with her own history. Through a series of flashbacks integrated into the narrative, readers gain insight into her challenging experiences in foster care and her familial relationships. These recollections enhance the emotional depth of her quest as she navigates her grief and seeks meaningful connections in a world that seems to have lost its compassion.

 

Artistic Style 

Simon Stålenhag’s illustrations are pivotal in expressing the themes and mood of the story. His artwork merges photorealistic details with retro-futuristic motifs, resulting in a striking yet disquieting depiction of a world on the verge of disintegration. The subdued color scheme amplifies a sense of nostalgia while simultaneously instilling a sense of unease about the current state of humanity.

 

Reception 

The Electric State garnered widespread acclaim for its inventive storytelling and captivating visual artistry. It was lauded for its capacity to stimulate reflection on modern issues concerning technology and society. Critics observed that it distinguishes itself from Stålenhag’s previous works, such as Tales from the Loop, due to its more somber tone and traditional narrative framework.

 

Conclusion

The Electric State functions as both an artistic investigation and a cautionary narrative regarding our interactions with technology, memory, and personal loss within a dystopian context.A

The Electric State had its world premiere on February 24, 2025, at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, in Los Angeles, California, and was released on Netflix on March 14. The film received generally negative reviews from critics, who criticized the film as being overproduced, generic, and unfaithful to the source material, as well as Pratt's and Brown's performances.

 

the electric state

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Electric State

Sci-Fi

Dystopian

Post-Apocalyptic

Story Analysis

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Visual Aesthetics

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