The Art of Fugue is a collection about odd little moments—half-forgotten memories, secret obsessions, day dreams—and their residual effect on characters’ lives. The “fugue” in the title refers to the interplay between stories and the overall theme of disconnection running through the book. These are stories about outsiders, misfits, people who have been blindsided by catastrophes large and small. What emerges is an offbeat picture of modern American life: from the social hierarchies of high school, to the decaying parking lots of big chain convenience stores. Ranging in length, from the almost-novella size “The Mannerists” to the telescoped histories of “Tempus Fugit” and “Errata,” the stories offer snapshots of alienated pride and hope in the midst of failure. The protagonists (mainly young people) are determined and driven whether their predicament is bumping into clones of former acquaintances, fretting over why they were cut out of a wedding toast, or envisioning the completion of various art projects with the help of a good Samaritan investor.