The Oracle Speaks
A Self-Help Guide Against Self-Help
$39.60
- Paperback
248 pages
- Release Date
24 November 2026
Summary
In this incisive, hilarious history of our obsession with self-help and wellness, graphic artist Liv Strömquist tackles the commodification of advice and shame.
In this twisted, irreverent, and wickedly funny graphic novel, internationally acclaimed cartoonist Liv Strömquist pokes fun at our historical, now internet-spurred obsession with health and wellness. In her characteristically quirky style—writing as she says with a “chunky, punky pen” and chock full of historical facts and ph…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781644215777 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1644215772 |
| Author: | Melissa Bowers, Liv Stromquist |
| Publisher: | Seven Stories Press,U.S. |
| Imprint: | Seven Stories Press,U.S. |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 248 |
| Release Date: | 24 November 2026 |
| Weight: | 369g |
| Dimensions: | 172mm x 241mm |
Critics Review
“With ruthless precision, a Swedish graphic artist skewers self-help pundits and those who rely on them too heavily… . A fierce, accusatory fling of the gauntlet.” —Kirkus
Melissa Bowers
Liv Strömquist is a Swedish graphic novelist celebrated for her unique blend of sociology, philosophy, history, and humor. Her acclaimed work The Reddest Rose Unfolds, a graphic novel exploring romantic love, has achieved significant international success, selling over 150,000 copies in France and Germany alone. A revised English edition is slated for reissue in Fall 2026.
Strömquist’s book Fruit of Knowledge, which delves into the societal obsession with and stigmatization of women’s bodies, has sold over 200,000 copies globally and been translated into more than twenty-six languages. This title will also receive a revised English edition in Spring 2027. Her latest work, The Oracle Speaks, published in Fall 2026, offers a humorous examination of the evolution of the health and wellness industry and the commodification of shame.
Among her many accolades, Strömquist is the recipient of several prestigious comics awards, including Germany’s Max Und Moritz Prize, Sweden’s Adamson Award, and the international EWK Award. She is also a radio presenter and hosts a podcast focused on cultural criticism. Strömquist resides in Malmö, Sweden, with her family.
Melissa Bowers is a translator and editor based in Seattle, Washington. She is an ATA-certified Swedish-to-English translator and an experienced copy editor with a diverse portfolio that includes picture books, graphic novels, poetry, and academic manuscripts. Her recent literary translation projects include Emma AdBåge’s The Wound (Arctis Books, Oct 2025) and Moa Romanova’s Buff Soul and Goblin Girl (Fantagraphics Books). Bowers was recognized with a 2021 Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material for her translation of Goblin Girl.
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