The Electric State (graphic novel)

The Electric State is a 2018 dystopian science fiction illustrated novel by Simon Stålenhag depicting an alternate reality of the year 1997, in which a teenaged girl and her toy robot journey through a technologically ravaged Southwestern United States.

In 2017, the Russo brothers acquired the film rights to the book. They are directing and producing a Netflix film of the same title, starring Millie Bobby Brown.

Plot
The story is presented in the first person and utilizes flashbacks that add context to the environment. It is set in the apocalyptic aftermath of a war.

In an alternate reality in the year 1997, a runaway teenaged girl named Michelle and her toy robot travel west through a dystopian American landscape where the ruins of gigantic battle robots called "drones" litter the countryside.

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

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

Accolades
NPR named it one of the best books of 2018.