Little Nothings: The Curse of the Umbrella

It’s surprising that a book that more than lives up to its trivial title could also be satisfying to read, but the prosaic events of the acclaimed French comic artist’s life are so universal that one is left feeling comforted by the shared absurdities of life in the 21st century. These one- and two-page autobiographical vignettes culled from Trondheim’s blog form a very loose travel narrative, covering such clichéd topics as airport security, sightseeing in the fog and using bug spray to avoid mosquito-borne illnesses. Yet Trondheim is a playful character—he draws himself as a bird and the rest of the characters as other animals—making ordinary encounters entertaining. He is silly enough to pretend to find money on the street just to kid his friend, the ruse backfiring when a passerby insists the money is his, or to procrastinate by furiously swinging a toy light saber around the house. The soft yet vibrant watercolor images impart a unique tone, and the small details of country and city landscapes are artfully executed. Touching lightly upon marriage, fatherhood, work and success, all with a neurotic’s off-kilter sensibilities, the book is a charmingly lighthearted stroll through the life of an artist. (Apr.)