TL;DR
Simon Stålenhag's new book, Labyrinten, offers a compelling dystopian tale set after an alien invasion, where survivors live underground. While the story, focusing on guilt and revenge, is intriguing, it doesn't quite match the visual storytelling brilliance of his earlier works like Passagen. Despite this, the book beautifully captures Stålenhag's signature Swedish aesthetic, making it a solid read that will appeal to fans of his unique blend of realism and sci-fi. Discover the full details of this visually rich narrative and whether it's worth your time in the complete review.
Ur varselklotet, also known as Tales from the Loop, the American TV series adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s breakthrough book, is now available on Amazon Prime. Stålenhag’s distinctive visual style masterfully blends Swedish realism with elements of science fiction, featuring robots, alien entities, and other futuristic concepts. The Swedish-developed game Generation Zero draws heavily from this aesthetic, as previously noted in that review.
Having been alerted to Stålenhag’s work, I have since followed his creations with interest. Consequently, upon receiving his latest book, Labyrinten, for review, I eagerly examined its contents.
This installment transports us to a dystopian future, where the Earth’s surface has been ravaged by extraterrestrial beings. The surviving human population resides in subterranean enclaves. The narrative centers on three individuals undertaking a critical mission, which soon uncovers unsettling truths, revealing how past events are poised to influence the future.
Fria Ligan is the publisher of Labyrinten, presenting a well-crafted and beautifully bound volume. Comprising approximately 150 pages, it adheres to Stålenhag’s signature style, where the illustrations convey even more depth than the relatively concise text. The narrative maintains a cinematic quality, exploring themes of guilt, origins, and revenge.
While I find Labyrinten to be highly enjoyable, I hesitate to classify it as a definitive “must-read.” The story is compelling and intriguing; however, it lacks the exceptional visual storytelling prowess evident in previous works, such as Passagen from 2017. Nevertheless, I greatly appreciate the distinctly Swedish atmosphere imbued within the images, from the cranes to the floral thermoses. Therefore, I offer a strong recommendation and eagerly anticipate Simon Stålenhag’s subsequent projects.
How we rate products at SensesReview Highlights: Q&A
What is the story of Labyrinten about?
Labyrinten takes place in a dystopian future where humans live underground after extraterrestrials ravage Earth, following three individuals on a mission that explores guilt, origins, and revenge.
How long is the book and who publishes it?
The book spans approximately 150 pages and is published as a well-crafted, beautifully bound volume by Fria Ligan.
How does the visual storytelling compare to Simon Stålenhag's earlier work?
The illustrations maintain a distinct Swedish atmosphere and a cinematic quality, but the visual storytelling lacks the exceptional prowess seen in the 2017 book Passagen.
