Killing and Dying: Stories

Killing and Dying: Stories by Adrian Tomine, 121 pages.

A collection featuring odd, off-kilter stories that are really rather sweet and affecting, that are well-matched with straight-forward, realistic art. The stories veer toward tragedy, but are leavened with a bit of the absurd, and the author never lets his characters (for whom he seems to have a great deal of fondness) suffer needlessly or too deeply. I particularly like the way the surprises in the plots are presented in each of the tales, and how the characters deal with these twists and turns. "Hortisculpture" seemed a little goofy at first, but had more depth than expected. "Amber Sweet," "Go Owls," and the title story, particularly,  had such a sad nostalgic touch to them, with characters that were vulnerable and whose lives were artfully handled. I had just finished reading Adam Johnson's Fortune Smiles before this and I was struck by the similarity in tone between the two books. This was the first book I have read by Tomine.  I heartily recommend this book, and look forward to reading more by the author.