Book Review: The Year Under the Machine by Peter Danielsson
Title: The Year Under the Machine
Author: Peter Danielsson
Release date: November 11, 2021
Hey, it’s me, Steve, guy who reads and reviews literally everything. EVEN. THOUGH. I’M. CLOSED. FOR. REVIEWS. HAHAHA, ahhhh… yeah.
But you know what? Every once in a while, someone reaches out to me (for me, who knows (insert shrugging emoji!)) to ask if I’d take a go at their book. Now, I’m a Kindle reader. I wish I had the ability to currently read physical books, I absolutely was until my son arrived and I read while he falls asleep beside me, thus physical books are not an option. Can’t have a bright light and pages crinkling while he’s trying to sleep. One thing I’ve found is that my Kindle, for whatever reason, HATES PDF’s. Like, with a passion.
Yesterday, Peter Danielsson reached out to me on Twitter, asking if I’d be at all keen to check out his new book and if I was able, offer a review. I don’t want this to come off as arrogant or ego-driven, or anything, but for me, personally, I don’t care how many followers you have on Twitter or anything like that. What I do care about is ‘does this book sound cool?’ Or, ‘would I enjoy reading this?’
So, I rocked over to Peter’s Twitter account, saw his fantastic artwork, and went to his website to investigate the book. After all of that, I asked if he had a mobi, and he unfortunately said “No, sadly due to the illustrations, it was pdf only.’ Ok, ok. This book looked so friggin’ intriguing that I asked him to send it and I’d figure it out on my end.
What I liked: ‘The Year Under the Machine’ is heartbreaking bleak and brutal. Told with single page chapters, minimal words and stunning abstract-ish paintings/illustrations, we are told the story of Him and Her (names are never given) as they try and survive after an ‘alien’ arrival.
Danielsson crafted an extraordinary world with an antagonist that sends fear coursing through your veins. This is earth, but different. And above the people is something that has arrived and stays there. We don’t learn anything about them and the story is all the better for it. All we ever learn is that people randomly disappear, assumed to be ‘beamed’ up onto this vessel, if that’s what it is.
I really loved how much emotion and dread Danielsson infused this with and how each chapter, while succinct, painted such a vivid and harrowing picture. This really had the feeling of a droning, industrial metal song, one that builds and builds and builds, leading us all to the inevitable crescendo which we know occurs directly before the end, before everything fades out into static.
That comparison leads me to mention the artwork/illustrations. I have zero art training, couldn’t tell you if this was abstract or some other form (apologies to all who know those things!) but wow was it vicious. It reminded me a lot of the artwork that ‘The Downward Spiral’ from Nine Inch Nails had when the CD was released back in 1994.
The artwork, combined with the narrative worked so well together and had me spellbound, allowing me to fall into this horrific event and reading this in a fast, anxiety-inducing sitting.
What I didn’t like: I personally loved this book, but one thing I wish it did have was the personification of the characters, simply so I could relate a little bit more. It does work really well with just Him and Her characters, but at the same time there were a few chapters were it took me a second to realize who it was that the POV was featured.
Why you should buy this: I honestly don’t know how many copies are available, as Peter as them for sale through his website, so if this sounds up your alley, I suggest emailing him ASAP. I’m not sure if a wider release is planned, but fingers crossed. I know I’ll be reaching out and purchasing a physical copy immediately.
This story was so well done, so cinematic that I hope this finds its way into the world of film.
Outstanding.
5/5
You can find out purchase info and samples here;
