Nothing is Simple

Nothing is Simple is classic Sempé - a timeless mix of everyday moments and surreal situations, captured with characteristic playfulness and attention to detail. Sempé's world is populated by nosy neighbours, mischievous schoolboys and thwarted lovers, by snooty holidaymakers and crowds of frustrated commuters in the big city. Accompanied by perfectly judged deadpan captions, these inimitable drawings and watercolours are fresh, engaging and funny.

Most famous in the English-speaking world for his instantly recognizable New Yorker covers, Jean-Jacques Sempé has delighted readers in France and beyond with his witty drawings and keen eye for the finer points of the human condition for over forty years. Now, his sharply observed and beautifully drawn cartoons are available in English for the first time. The pithy captions were translated from the original French by Anthea Bell, who also translated the Asterix comics into English.

Jean-Jacques Sempé (b.1932) is one of the world's most successful illustrators and cartoonists. He is the illustrator of the classic children's-book character, Nicholas, and author of a collection of some thirty albums of his cartoons and graphic novels, all published or to be published by Phaidon. His world-renowned illustrations and cartoons are featured on the cover of the New Yorker and in Paris Match.