Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea

by Guy Delisle, Helge Dascher (Translator)

Famously referred to as one of the "Axis of Evil" countries, North Korea remains one of the most secretive and mysterious nations in the world today. In early 2001 cartoonist Guy Delisle became one of the few Westerners to be allowed access to the fortress-like country. While living in the nation's capital for two months on a work visa for a French film animation company, Delisle observed what he was allowed to see of the culture and lives of the few North Koreans he encountered; his findings form the basis of this graphic novel.

Guy Delisle was born in Quebec City in 1966 and has spent the last decade living and working in the South of France with his wife and son. Delisle has spent ten years, mostly in Europe, working in animation, an experience that taught him about movement and drawing. He is now currently focusing on his cartooning. Delisle has written and drawn six graphic novels, including "Pyongyang," his first graphic novel in English.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Nonfiction, Travel, Memoir, Bande Dessinée, Asia

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

Born in Quebec, Canada, Guy Delisle studied animation at Sheridan College. Delisle has worked for numerous animation studios around the world, including CinéGroupe in Montreal.

Drawing from his experience at animation studios in China and North Korea, Delisle's graphic novels Shenzen and Pyongyang depict these two countries from a Westerner's perspective. A third graphic novel, Chroniques Birmanes, recounts his time spent in Myanmar with his wife, a Médecins Sans Frontières administrator.

Reviews

[Kathrine Bruflot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Et interessant innblikk i livet for utlendinger i Nord Korea. Det var litt mange mennesker som var vanskelige å skille fra hverandre.
Høydepunktene var de forskjellige obligatoriske turistattraksjonene.

[Marit Hepsø · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nydelige og morsomme tegninger, fanger virkelig den dystre og depressive stemningen i Nord Korea. Samtidig utrolig morsom og god til å fange individene og menneskene i det store maskineriet og ikke bare vise fram landet som samfunn og diktatur. Kan leses mange ganger, oppdager alltid noe nytt!

[Gertti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dette her er fasinerende - hvordan er det mulig å hjernevaske et helt samfunn?! Hvordan klarer Nord-Korea holde seg så lukket?! Det har skjedd tidligere og det skjer nå/igjen.