GEORGE AND HIS SHADOW

What’s that sitting at the table? And why is it following George all over the city?

One morning, when George walks into the kitchen, he sees a dark figure sitting at the table, drinking coffee. George recognizes this as his shadow and asks why it’s not on the floor. The shadow responds, “I was hungry.” So goes the day. When George takes the dog for a walk, the shadow follows, walking upright rather than on the ground. The shadow follows him everywhere. After a while, George starts to get annoyed. How can he make the shadow disappear? He tries cutting it into tiny pieces, but that doesn’t work. Neither does trying to wash it away with a big hose, using a vacuum cleaner, garlic, or telling his dog, Scooter, to attack. Scooter just ends up cradled happily in the shadow’s arms. George decides that maybe they can be friends. George and his shadow have an enjoyable day together. Then, abruptly, the shadow decides to nap, resuming its customary position on the ground, causing George to feel oddly lonely. The next day starts like any other—but when George walks into the bathroom, his reflection in the mirror introduces itself! Cali subtly explores friendship and solitude with panache and a refreshing lack of condescension. Bloch’s stylish computer-generated illustrations play with shape, color, and perspective, adding another layer of absurdism.

Droll.