From the renowned creator of The Electric State and Tales from the Loop, Simon Stålenhag returns with his long-awaited new work of retro-futuristic dystopia within the mysterious zone of an abandoned Swedish military facility.

Beginning in 2024, yet set largely during the early 2000s, Sunset at Zero Point unfolds on a secluded Swedish island, home to a secret weapon lab that has been off-limits for years, evoking the bestselling works of Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation and Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven.

Stålenhag’s masterful storytelling and hyper-realistic art transports you to an alternate history revealing his most intimate work to date, delving into themes of masculinity, friendship, and sexuality through the lens of a queer science fiction tale. The story spans decades following two young men, stuck in the past and each other’s orbit, as fleeting moments become defining memories as they set out to explore the forbidden zone together.

Set against the backdrop of Stålenhag’s native Sweden and based on the alternate version of Mälaröarna outside of Stockholm, Sunset at Zero Point juxtaposes giant futuristic machines with the inner turmoil of its characters facing a social dystopia, crafting a narrative that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.

I cannot offer any meaningful insights or thoughts on the quality of the writing as I have yet to read the prose, so my review is based purely on the strength of the art work. In that regard Simon Stålenhag’s compelling visual narrative style hits the sweet spot every time, conjuring up powerful sci-fi vistas that are ever so moody, evocative and thought-provoking. I am confident the writing will add considerably to the art work and make for a most immersive reading experience, something I hope to enjoy when I have more free time. Based on the merit of the illustrations alone at least, I can fully recommend it with no hesitation.

If you are new to the artist’s books, be sure to check out his earlier works – Tales From The Loop, Things From The Flood, The Electric State and The Labyrinth.

Sunset At Zero Point – Simon Stålenhag Art Book details :

– Dimensions – 11 x 1 x 9.88 inches
– Hardcover, 192 pages
– Full color, in English

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