Urban, sexual, raw, modern critique! My only problem (and it's with the whole series) is how impotent, edgy, and spiteful the main characters are. Not a big deal for me, but it does make some of the prose feel a bit cringe. ( )

The eight graphic short stories collected here were originally published in Japan in 1970. Tatsumi is the originator of the gekiga style of manga, which uses a cinematic style and involves adult themes. Both are in evidence here. Tatsumi’s focus is often on underclass protagonists who are barely eking out a living. Sometimes they are so set upon by burdens or responsibilities, or just unending back luck, that they despair. And in despair their lives slip across the border of the human. To describe these stories as bleak would be an understatement.

Since the stories were originally published for differing audiences (some for young people, and some aimed solely at the underground adult market), there is a significant variety in tone. Humour is typically a component of the stories, but in some the humour is exceedingly dark.

Recommended, with caution, to anyone interested in the growth of alternative manga in Japan. ( )

Still good, but steadily losing interest in Tatsumi. ( )

This consists of a series of stark tales set in a black and white graphic novel style. I find them amazingly good and very informative 'naturalistic' Japanese fiction (very reminiscent of Stephen Crane and James T. Farrell short stories). I also note that the book has an article of its own in wikipedia, which I recommend. ( )

Bleak stories about despairing, lonely people trapped by society. There are no happy endings in this book of short stories. Despair is the keyword. Artwork is excellent and moody, and the stories are haunting. One is actually a horror story. There is an interesting interview with the author by Adrian Tomine at the back. ( )