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Simplicity
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR FROM COMIC BOOK HERALD • From the acclaimed author of horror sensation Boys Weekend, a vibrant new graphic novel about a timid academic sent out from the walled dystopian security territory of New York City to investigate a cult in the wilds of the Catskill Mountains
"Mattie Lubchansky is a genius.”—Kristen Arnett, New York Times bestselling author of Mostly Dead Things and With Teeth
"[Lubchansky] blends dystopian science fiction and folk horror into a queer, trans story of hard-won hope in a future as terrifying—and as ridiculous—as our present. Sexy, insightful, and darkly funny.”—Lindsay King-Miller, author of The Z Word
In 1977, a group called The Spiritual Association of Peers decamps to the woods of the Catskills, taking over an abandoned summer camp. They name their new home Simplicity.
In 2081, scholar Lucius Pasternak, a fastidiously organized trans man, tries to keep his head down living in the New York City Administrative and Security Territory, which was founded after the formal dissolution of the United States in 2041. Then, he's offered a job by the mayor, billionaire real estate developer Dennis Van Wervel, to complete an anthropological survey of the people of Simplicity for a history museum he's financing. A wary Lucius is nevertheless drawn in by the people of the small wooded community, intrigued by its strange rituals and in particular by the charming acolyte Amity Crown-Shy. Born and raised on the compound, Amity is comfortable in their own skin, a striking contrast to Lucius' repressed reserve. But Lucius' control starts to slip when he begins to suffer visions both terrifying and sensual—visits from beautiful but nightmarish creatures.
Then, just as Lucius discovers that Van Wervel's project is more sinister than it seemed, members of the community begin to disappear, leaving behind grisly signs of struggle. The denizens of Simplicity believe that a being they call “The Lamentation” is responsible for the attacks. Amity and Lucius set out to hunt for the creature in the dangerous Exurb Zones, a wild wood full of libertarian doomsday preppers, wealthy isolationists, and worse. There, they'll finally discover the true threat to their way of life—and what they're willing to do to stop it.
"Mattie Lubchansky is a genius.”—Kristen Arnett, New York Times bestselling author of Mostly Dead Things and With Teeth
"[Lubchansky] blends dystopian science fiction and folk horror into a queer, trans story of hard-won hope in a future as terrifying—and as ridiculous—as our present. Sexy, insightful, and darkly funny.”—Lindsay King-Miller, author of The Z Word
In 1977, a group called The Spiritual Association of Peers decamps to the woods of the Catskills, taking over an abandoned summer camp. They name their new home Simplicity.
In 2081, scholar Lucius Pasternak, a fastidiously organized trans man, tries to keep his head down living in the New York City Administrative and Security Territory, which was founded after the formal dissolution of the United States in 2041. Then, he's offered a job by the mayor, billionaire real estate developer Dennis Van Wervel, to complete an anthropological survey of the people of Simplicity for a history museum he's financing. A wary Lucius is nevertheless drawn in by the people of the small wooded community, intrigued by its strange rituals and in particular by the charming acolyte Amity Crown-Shy. Born and raised on the compound, Amity is comfortable in their own skin, a striking contrast to Lucius' repressed reserve. But Lucius' control starts to slip when he begins to suffer visions both terrifying and sensual—visits from beautiful but nightmarish creatures.
Then, just as Lucius discovers that Van Wervel's project is more sinister than it seemed, members of the community begin to disappear, leaving behind grisly signs of struggle. The denizens of Simplicity believe that a being they call “The Lamentation” is responsible for the attacks. Amity and Lucius set out to hunt for the creature in the dangerous Exurb Zones, a wild wood full of libertarian doomsday preppers, wealthy isolationists, and worse. There, they'll finally discover the true threat to their way of life—and what they're willing to do to stop it.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2025
12 people are currently reading
3341 people want to read
About the author
Mattie Lubchansky
8 books133 followersMattie Lubchansky is a cartoonist and illustrator living in Queens, NY. Her work has appeared in The Nib, New York Magazine, VICE, Eater, Mad Magazine, Gothamist, The Toast, The Hairpin, Brooklyn Magazine, and their long-running webcomic Please Listen to Me. They are the co-author of Dad Magazine (Quirk, 2016), and the author of The Antifa Supersoldier Cookbook (Silver Sprocket, 2021), Boys Weekend (2023, Pantheon), and Simplicity (2025, Pantheon).
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 26, 2025
In a semi-distant future not unlike right now, actually, America has drastically devolved into fascism and chaos. States are walled-off and monitored with big swaths of land between them. Anthropology student, Lucius Pasternak is hired by NY to venture into the Catskill Mountains to study a thriving hippie commune that has been active since the 70s and seems untouched by real world issues and changes.
I love how Lucius, a trans man, starts off as an outsider/observer but finds himself assimilating into the community and agreeing with their way of life.
The illustrations of the commune as so fun! I enjoyed exploring all the little details. Of course I knew right away, given the title and the cover, that the commune would reveal a dark side.
The book is a lot of things all at once. It touches on cult vibes, if that interests you but leans more into "commune than cult"--shared beliefs and practices rather than leader-led "religious" fanaticism. There's folk horror holding hands with cosmic horror. Commentary on sociopolitical issues, thoughts on queer identities and sexuality, And it's really, really horny lol
I enjoyed it! Fun read for Pride Month and anytime :)
I love how Lucius, a trans man, starts off as an outsider/observer but finds himself assimilating into the community and agreeing with their way of life.
The illustrations of the commune as so fun! I enjoyed exploring all the little details. Of course I knew right away, given the title and the cover, that the commune would reveal a dark side.
The book is a lot of things all at once. It touches on cult vibes, if that interests you but leans more into "commune than cult"--shared beliefs and practices rather than leader-led "religious" fanaticism. There's folk horror holding hands with cosmic horror. Commentary on sociopolitical issues, thoughts on queer identities and sexuality, And it's really, really horny lol
I enjoyed it! Fun read for Pride Month and anytime :)
December 31, 2024
First off, thank you so much to NetGalley, Pantheon Publishing and Author/Illustrator Mattie Lubchansky for the opportunity to read and review this advanced reader copy of Simplicity.
We live in an interesting time; I know, understatement of the year. I find myself looking back at the “Dystopian” novels that I read in my youth and finding them hard to go back to because they now feel too close to reality. Now call me a radical if you will, but it’s getting scary out there. Mattie Lubchansky, author and illustrator of Simplicity, has re-energized my love of this genre, while inflaming my radicalization and class consciousness.
The setting is a really good “glimpse” into the near future, a possible dystopia of what comes after the US. I like how the main character Lucius, has a naivety that is recognizable and understandable to the reader, when looking at the commune of Simplicity (SAP), and the corporation that he works for. It reminds me of the way that sometimes as liberals and more progressive thinkers, we can idolize, or even essentialize, groups merely for the fact that they aren’t of the norm and how that ends up being reductive. In the case of the SAP folk, this is quickly disproven by this community being a lot more than what we think it is. I really like the characterization of the corporation that Lucius is working for because it strips away all of the green-washing that our modern-day capital class likes to hide behind. What starts as a corporation that looks like they are saving history for posterity, quickly melts away to the soul-less, money-obsessed monopolies that we know and live with in our everyday lives. It’s like when Jeff Bezos (or insert the vapid billionaire of your choosing) sets up a foundation or gives a lot of money for some charity. They purport themselves as these great benevolent paragons of righteousness, when in reality they are basically gilding their own image so we don’t really look into why they are so insanely wealthy? But I digress…
I loved reading this graphic novel. It hits all the notes of class-consciousness, queer representation/acceptance and self-discovery all while doing so in a way that stays relevant to the reader. It brings resolution while still showing the unfortunate situations that we find ourselves in. As Amity put it, “ There’s no such thing as leaving the world is there? … We’re in the world. The choice has already been made for us.” I guess in the end, it is a story of survival and of adapting the best we can to stay alive; culturally, spiritually, physically. I am very excited to see what Mattie comes up with next!
We live in an interesting time; I know, understatement of the year. I find myself looking back at the “Dystopian” novels that I read in my youth and finding them hard to go back to because they now feel too close to reality. Now call me a radical if you will, but it’s getting scary out there. Mattie Lubchansky, author and illustrator of Simplicity, has re-energized my love of this genre, while inflaming my radicalization and class consciousness.
The setting is a really good “glimpse” into the near future, a possible dystopia of what comes after the US. I like how the main character Lucius, has a naivety that is recognizable and understandable to the reader, when looking at the commune of Simplicity (SAP), and the corporation that he works for. It reminds me of the way that sometimes as liberals and more progressive thinkers, we can idolize, or even essentialize, groups merely for the fact that they aren’t of the norm and how that ends up being reductive. In the case of the SAP folk, this is quickly disproven by this community being a lot more than what we think it is. I really like the characterization of the corporation that Lucius is working for because it strips away all of the green-washing that our modern-day capital class likes to hide behind. What starts as a corporation that looks like they are saving history for posterity, quickly melts away to the soul-less, money-obsessed monopolies that we know and live with in our everyday lives. It’s like when Jeff Bezos (or insert the vapid billionaire of your choosing) sets up a foundation or gives a lot of money for some charity. They purport themselves as these great benevolent paragons of righteousness, when in reality they are basically gilding their own image so we don’t really look into why they are so insanely wealthy? But I digress…
I loved reading this graphic novel. It hits all the notes of class-consciousness, queer representation/acceptance and self-discovery all while doing so in a way that stays relevant to the reader. It brings resolution while still showing the unfortunate situations that we find ourselves in. As Amity put it, “ There’s no such thing as leaving the world is there? … We’re in the world. The choice has already been made for us.” I guess in the end, it is a story of survival and of adapting the best we can to stay alive; culturally, spiritually, physically. I am very excited to see what Mattie comes up with next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2025
I really liked Mattie's Boy's Weekend, and this new graphic novel is a great follow-up! Queer characters surviving in a future libertarian hellscape New York state.
There's always great easter eggs in the backgrounds, my favorite was the news headline for a fish spotted in the Hudson - newsworthy in a future after a mass extinction.
There's always great easter eggs in the backgrounds, my favorite was the news headline for a fish spotted in the Hudson - newsworthy in a future after a mass extinction.
July 31, 2025
I've never read cult horror where the cult is the victim before but as expected, excellent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2025
terrifying - werk
July 2, 2025
In the not so distant future, a trans scholar is hired by a tech millionaire to interview a cult in the Catskills. The cult is tech free and free love, except for the sudden appearance of a rampaging monster that is devouring all of the cult's acolytes.
Mattie Lubchansky's books are the only thing getting me through this timeline. It's frankly obnoxious how good she is at satire while also creating a gripping trans narrative within a decades old cult within a futuristic society. There are some parts that are to be expected (yep, the cult has a sex thing) but there are twists and turns that you won't see coming. You should read this because, while it won't solve the present, it will help you find the humor in it. Also, for me, please slow down and read all of the jokes Lubchansky has hidden in the background.
Mattie Lubchansky's books are the only thing getting me through this timeline. It's frankly obnoxious how good she is at satire while also creating a gripping trans narrative within a decades old cult within a futuristic society. There are some parts that are to be expected (yep, the cult has a sex thing) but there are twists and turns that you won't see coming. You should read this because, while it won't solve the present, it will help you find the humor in it. Also, for me, please slow down and read all of the jokes Lubchansky has hidden in the background.
May 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Critical Score: A
Personal Score: A-
I love woke lit! Lubchansky follows up Boys Weekend with the even better Simplicity. It’s super rich in progressive politics, and honestly, bravo to Pantheon for publishing this in today’s climate. We need more woke lit desperately. Plus, the story is captivating and twisty. The world-building is spectacular. The diverse representation in the character writing is a dream. The artwork might not be a style I love, but it’s very well done.
If you want a ferociously queer and anti-capitalist story that’s captivating and quick, look no further. When you’re done, you’ll be looking for more just like it.
A huge success!
Critical Score: A
Personal Score: A-
I love woke lit! Lubchansky follows up Boys Weekend with the even better Simplicity. It’s super rich in progressive politics, and honestly, bravo to Pantheon for publishing this in today’s climate. We need more woke lit desperately. Plus, the story is captivating and twisty. The world-building is spectacular. The diverse representation in the character writing is a dream. The artwork might not be a style I love, but it’s very well done.
If you want a ferociously queer and anti-capitalist story that’s captivating and quick, look no further. When you’re done, you’ll be looking for more just like it.
A huge success!
July 4, 2025
I’m just existing, man. Don’t you want to exist?”
4.25 / 5.00
Simplicity by Mattie Lubchansky will have you saying “fuck the patriarchy!” Thank you to Pantheon Books for my early copy of the final print version via contest. All opinions are my own.
2081 was a simpler time, as Brockerton and Klaybeth are about to learn. Simplicity was a utopian society, living off the land. Except it had orgies and fistfights and sexual fever dreams and a diseased bear that was possibly killing off the inhabitants. Learn more in this very important history lesson so history doesn’t repeat itself!
I’m going to start off by saying this book will not be for everyone, but it was for me. It took me a while to understand exactly what was going on, but it kept me engaged and entertained throughout. The art work is a mix of Steven Universe and Rick and Morty, but make it 18+ (sex and nudity).
I finished this in one sitting and honestly couldn’t put it down. I wanted to figure out what was going on and how it would all play out, and I was not disappointed. I’d love to see a sequel to this story in the future!
This story had me singing Let It Grow by Eric Clapton. The music has the same “peace and love” vibes the inhabitants of Simplicity are trying to cultivate in not only their world, but someday hopefully the whole world. Lucius is definitely “Standing at the crossroads / Trying to read the signs / To tell me which way I should go,” many times throughout this story. “Trying hard to get a friend I can count on / But there’s nothing left to show / Plant your love and let it grow,” could definitely be the theme of his growth from timid researcher to someone stronger, more open, and more in tune with the world around him.
Connect with me on Instagram (@bookmarks_and_backbeats) for more reviews, musical pairings, and all around good times!
4.25 / 5.00
Simplicity by Mattie Lubchansky will have you saying “fuck the patriarchy!” Thank you to Pantheon Books for my early copy of the final print version via contest. All opinions are my own.
2081 was a simpler time, as Brockerton and Klaybeth are about to learn. Simplicity was a utopian society, living off the land. Except it had orgies and fistfights and sexual fever dreams and a diseased bear that was possibly killing off the inhabitants. Learn more in this very important history lesson so history doesn’t repeat itself!
I’m going to start off by saying this book will not be for everyone, but it was for me. It took me a while to understand exactly what was going on, but it kept me engaged and entertained throughout. The art work is a mix of Steven Universe and Rick and Morty, but make it 18+ (sex and nudity).
I finished this in one sitting and honestly couldn’t put it down. I wanted to figure out what was going on and how it would all play out, and I was not disappointed. I’d love to see a sequel to this story in the future!
This story had me singing Let It Grow by Eric Clapton. The music has the same “peace and love” vibes the inhabitants of Simplicity are trying to cultivate in not only their world, but someday hopefully the whole world. Lucius is definitely “Standing at the crossroads / Trying to read the signs / To tell me which way I should go,” many times throughout this story. “Trying hard to get a friend I can count on / But there’s nothing left to show / Plant your love and let it grow,” could definitely be the theme of his growth from timid researcher to someone stronger, more open, and more in tune with the world around him.
Connect with me on Instagram (@bookmarks_and_backbeats) for more reviews, musical pairings, and all around good times!
July 31, 2025
Reminds me of Vonnegut’s Player Piano in a way. Significantly gayer, hornier and more violent than that book (complimentary on all counts), but likewise cognizant of the ways collective action and planning are crucial to the success of any progressive movement. You can’t change society by removing yourself from society, and you can often find yourself complicit in a destructive system, even when your intentions are good and you’re someone who finds themselves oppressed by that system.
Outside of that, Mattie’s art is bright, cartoony and fluid, and suits both the heightened aspects of the world, as well as the more mundane sections. I guess if I have a complaint, it’s that I just wish there was more of it, that we got to spend a little more time with certain characters, to develop certain plot threads. But then, considering how much work goes into a graphic novel like this, I also think we should be thankful for what we get, especially when it’s as good as this.
Outside of that, Mattie’s art is bright, cartoony and fluid, and suits both the heightened aspects of the world, as well as the more mundane sections. I guess if I have a complaint, it’s that I just wish there was more of it, that we got to spend a little more time with certain characters, to develop certain plot threads. But then, considering how much work goes into a graphic novel like this, I also think we should be thankful for what we get, especially when it’s as good as this.
June 11, 2025
Simplicity is the wilderness home of the post-apocalyptic group The Spiritual Association of Peers that Lucius is asked to research. He struggles to make real connections in the group, but eventually gets a few members to agree to an interview. Things go awry when members start disappearing and dying, and Lucius finds out his employers are planning on building a museum on top of Simplicity. Lucius fights to stop this and discover the truth of what's happening to Simplicity. This is a very absurd graphic novel with a very distinct art style. Thanks to Pantheon and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 12, 2025
Mattie Lubchansky’s second graphic novel, following Boys Weekend, involves an academic sent from the walled dystopian territory of New York City to conduct an anthropological survey of a cult living in the woods some ways north. The book delves into horror, science fiction, gender, the erotic, and what might be done with the people ruining society.
As our future looks more like a boot stomping on a human face forever, Mattie Lubchansky asks us to rid ourselves of repression and complacency in this sensual, savage satire.
As our future looks more like a boot stomping on a human face forever, Mattie Lubchansky asks us to rid ourselves of repression and complacency in this sensual, savage satire.
December 5, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for me to review!
The art is wackier than the cover will lead you to believe. The STORY is wackier than the description will lead you to believe, for the most part. It became a little predictable and was much more violent than expected, but quite an entertaining little foray into dystopia, gender, and societal expectations.
Rounded up from 3.5
The art is wackier than the cover will lead you to believe. The STORY is wackier than the description will lead you to believe, for the most part. It became a little predictable and was much more violent than expected, but quite an entertaining little foray into dystopia, gender, and societal expectations.
Rounded up from 3.5
July 11, 2025
Mattie Lubchansky is an absolute gem. I'm obsessed with everything she creates. She could put out a graphic novel about differential calculus and I'd be like, "Hell yeah, that's my new favorite book." Luckily, SIMPLICITY is about a queer hippie cult living off the grid in a tech-driven dystopia, which is extremely my shit. It's wildly creative and intriguing and emotional. I love Lubchansky's weird brain and can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
July 27, 2025
i really wanted to love this book but the art style seemed to clash with the whimsical nature of the story and it was honestly distracting. the art is good but it just feels like a different tone and i almost wish the creator had partnered with another artist. the ending also felt very abrupt and confusing. i like that there’s a very fluid use of gender that feels natural. and i appreciate the message about capitalism and how protection from the state is used as an oppression tactic.
April 20, 2025
As a huge fan of Mattie Lubchansky, I was so excited to get to read this arc, and it did not disappoint! The art is wonderfully weird and whimsical, as is to be expected from Mattie!
My favorite thing about it was the mix of nature and horror in the illustrations of people! The lineart and colors felt very clean and simple which allowed for amazing details and very interesting visuals! Especially in the dream-like states, which often cannot be distinguished from reality which keeps the story very interesting!
The conflict between the people of Simplicity and the Van Wervel Corporation is a very real depiction of struggles occurring today. I think this says a lot about what is going on in today's world.
I would have liked to see more of Lucius' past, but the vagueness of his past is most likely intentional!
all in all, I think this is a wonderful 2nd book for Mattie Lubchansky, and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
My favorite thing about it was the mix of nature and horror in the illustrations of people! The lineart and colors felt very clean and simple which allowed for amazing details and very interesting visuals! Especially in the dream-like states, which often cannot be distinguished from reality which keeps the story very interesting!
The conflict between the people of Simplicity and the Van Wervel Corporation is a very real depiction of struggles occurring today. I think this says a lot about what is going on in today's world.
I would have liked to see more of Lucius' past, but the vagueness of his past is most likely intentional!
all in all, I think this is a wonderful 2nd book for Mattie Lubchansky, and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
May 23, 2025
eARC
Mattie Lubchansky's books are weird. That's not a slight. They're weird, they're interesting, and they take you places you don't expect. This one has gender issues and cults, but don't think it's the same thing as the last one. This is all new territory.
Mattie Lubchansky's books are weird. That's not a slight. They're weird, they're interesting, and they take you places you don't expect. This one has gender issues and cults, but don't think it's the same thing as the last one. This is all new territory.
July 10, 2025
**NetGalley ARC** Thank you
I'm not really sure what to make of this book. It was strange. I think the commentary on environmentalism, politics, and identity were loud, but it in a good way? I will certainly be thinking about this one for a while.
I'm not really sure what to make of this book. It was strange. I think the commentary on environmentalism, politics, and identity were loud, but it in a good way? I will certainly be thinking about this one for a while.
July 20, 2025
such a weird lil graphic novel but somehow takes the absurdity and showcases gender identity, cult communities, dystopia, and more! really enjoyed!!
also thank you penguin random house for sending me this advance copy 💕
also thank you penguin random house for sending me this advance copy 💕
February 6, 2025
Dreamy artwork and a plot that sucks the reader in. Highly enjoyable with a sucker punch of an ending.
February 6, 2025
ARC from Netgalley.
July 29, 2025
I liked the artwork, color palette, and some of the characters, but the plot was baffling as hell . . .
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews