Nicole Claveloux’s short stories—originally published in the late 1970s and never before collected in English—are among the most beautiful comics ever drawn: whimsical, intoxicating, with the freshness and splendor of dreams. In hallucinatory color or elegant black-and-white, she brings us into lands that are strange but oddly recognizable, filled with murderous grandmothers and lonely city dwellers, bad-tempered vegetables and walls that are surprisingly easy to fall through. In the title story, written with Edith Zha, a new houseplant becomes the first step in an epic journey of self-discovery and a witty fable of modern romance—complete with talking shrubbery, a wised-up genie, and one very depressed bird.

This selection, designed and introduced by Daniel Clowes, presents the full achievement of an unforgettable, unjustly neglected master of French comics.

Nicole Claveloux has contributed to the French comics magazines Métal Hurlant (Heavy Metal) and Ah! Nana, and drew a popular comic strip called Grabote. Championed by Harlin Quist, she has also illustrated a number of successful chil- dren’s books, including an award-winning version of Alice in Wonderland. New York Review Comics will be publishing a new collection of her work, Dead Season and Other Stories, in 2022.

Daniel Clowes is a cartoonist, illustrator, and screenwriter. In 1989 he created the influential comic book series Eightball, which includes the celebrated issues Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron, Caricature, and Ghostworld. He lives in Oakland, California.

Donald Nicholson-Smith has translated a number of books for both NYRB Classics and New York Review Comics, including Yvan Alagbé’s Yellow Negroes and Other Imaginary Creatures. Born in Manchester, England, he is a longtime resident of New York City.