Simon Stålenhag
Simon Stålenhag is a Swedish artist, musician, and author known for his narrative art books that blend elements of science fiction with nostalgic depictions of rural Sweden.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Electric State
Set in an alternate 1997, this haunting narrative follows a teenage girl and her enigmatic robot companion as they journey across a dystopian America ravaged by a mysterious technology. The landscape is littered with the remnants of a once-thriving civilization, now overshadowed by colossal drones and abandoned machinery. As they traverse the desolate highways, the girl seeks to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of her brother, while the eerie silence of the world around them hints at a deeper, unsettling reality. This poignant tale combines evocative illustrations with a compelling story of loss, resilience, and the search for connection in a world teetering on the brink of collapse.
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2. Tales From The Loop
Set in an alternate version of Sweden during the 1980s, this narrative weaves together the ordinary lives of children with the extraordinary presence of mysterious machines and bizarre phenomena. Against a backdrop of lush landscapes and quaint towns, the story explores the intersection of technology and humanity, as the inhabitants navigate a world where the boundaries between reality and science fiction blur. Through vivid illustrations and poignant storytelling, the tale captures the essence of nostalgia and wonder, inviting readers to ponder the impact of technological advancements on everyday life.
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3. The Labyrinth
Set in a hauntingly desolate landscape, this story follows three survivors navigating the remnants of a world ravaged by an apocalyptic event. As they journey through the eerie ruins of a once-thriving civilization, they grapple with the ghosts of their past and the daunting task of rebuilding a future. The narrative weaves together themes of loss, resilience, and the enduring human spirit, all underscored by evocative illustrations that bring the stark beauty and melancholy of this dystopian world to life.
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4. Things From The Flood
A haunting, illustrated collection of linked vignettes set in an alternate late-20th-century Sweden where sprawling scientific infrastructure has reshaped everyday life; following teenagers and adults, the book explores how the eerie, malfunctioning remnants of advanced machines and strange phenomena force characters to confront loss, memory, and the often painful transition to adulthood against sunlit rural landscapes turned uncanny.
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