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Shenzhen: A Travelogue from China Hardcover – October 17, 2006

by Guy Delisle (Author), Helge Dascher (Translator)

4.3 220 ratings

Part of: Shenzhen: A Travelogue from China (2006)

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The follow-up graphic novel to the acclaimed Pyongyang: A Journey to North Korea
Shenzhen is entertainingly compact, with Guy Delisle's observations of life in a cold urban city in southern China that is sealed off from the rest of the country by electric fences and armed guards. With a dry wit and a clean line, Delisle makes the most of his time spent in Asia overseeing outsourced production for a French animation company. By translating his fish-out-of-water experiences into accessible graphic novels,Delisle is quick to find the humor and point out the differences between Western and Eastern cultures. Yet he never forgets to relay his compassion for the simple freedoms that escape his colleagues by virtue of living in a Communist state.

Part of Series

Shenzhen: A Travelogue from China (2006)
Print length

152 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Drawn and Quarterly
Publication date

October 17, 2006
Dimensions

6.47 x 0.75 x 8.77 inches
ISBN-10

1894937791
ISBN-13

978-1894937795
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Last year's Pyongyang introduced Delisle's acute voice, as he reported from North Korea with unusual insight and wit, not to mention wonderfully detailed cartooning. Shenzhen is not a follow-up so much as another installment in what one hopes is an ongoing series of travelogues by this talented artist. Here he again finds himself working on an animated movie in a Communist country, this time in Shenzhen, an isolated city in southern China. Delisle not only takes readers through his daily routine, but also explores Chinese custom and geography, eloquently explaining the cultural differences city to city, company to company and person to person. He also goes into detail about the food and entertainment of the region as well as animation in general and his own career path. All of this is the result of his intense isolation for three months in an anonymous hotel room. He has little to do but ruminate on his surroundings, and readers are the lucky beneficiaries of his loneliness. As in his earlier work, Delisle draws in a gentle cartoon style: his observations are grounded in realism, but his figures are light cartoons, giving the book, as Delisle himself remarks, a feeling of an alternative Tintin. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Delisle's Pyongyang (2005) documented two months spent overseeing cartoon production in North Korea's capital. Now he recounts a 1997 stint in the Chinese boomtown Shenzhen. Even a decade ago, China showed signs of Westernization, at least in Special Economic Zones such as Shenzhen, where Delisle found a Hard Rock Cafe and a Gold's Gym. Still, he experienced near-constant alienation. The absence of other Westerners and bilingual Chinese left him unable to ask about baffling cultural differences ranging from exotic shops to the pervasive lack of sanitation. Because China is an authoritarian, not totalitarian, state, and Delisle escaped the oppressive atmosphere with a getaway to nearby Hong Kong, whose relative familiarity gave him "reverse culture shock," Delisle's wittily empathetic depiction of the Western-Chinese cultural gap is less dramatic than that of his Korean sojourn. That said, his creative skill suggests that the comic strip is the ideal medium for such an account. His wry drawings and clever storytelling convey his experiences far more effectively than one imagines a travel journal or film documentary would. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Drawn and Quarterly; First Edition (October 17, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 152 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1894937791
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1894937795
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.47 x 0.75 x 8.77 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #612,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #111 in Drawn & Quarterly Comic & Graphic Novels
- #785 in Literary Graphic Novels (Books)
- #1,738 in Travelogues & Travel Essays

Customer Reviews:
4.3 220 ratings

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An entertaining look at one man's experiences in China

Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2014

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This is the first book that I have read by this author and it was very entertaining. As another reviewer stated this truly is the story of a stranger in a strange land. Delisle was in China for work and that was the focus of his activities, he was not there to travel or discover things about the country. It is interesting to see the reactions on both sides of when he did try to interact with the Chinese (I particularly like their response to how overtime is handled in the Canada). There is a sense of loneliness and depression that permeate the book as the author tries to set up a daily and weekly routine and find activities to break the boredom. This however is offset by his thoughts on his experiences and the anecdotal stories from his life that he intersperses with the China stories.

I like that he showed the people trying to be good "hosts" to a visitor to their country and entertain him to the best of their ability - what was funny was his slightly puzzled reaction to these efforts. The drawing were simple and clean but conveyed people's reactions well and clearly showed the context of the situations he was describing. I enjoyed this novel and have bought more of the books in his travel series to see what happened to him in Burma and North Korea

2 people found this helpful

Michael Valdivielso

Very interesting point of view...

Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2009

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After reviewing Pyongyang, which I found very interesting and have already reread a couple of times, I ordered his other books, one of them being this one. I happen to love everything about Japan, China, and other Asian nations, so as you can guess I enjoyed this book very much. Yes, I have reread it a couple of times even before doing this review. In some ways Mr. Delisle didn't really tell us anything we haven't heard before a hundred times. Yet I think some of the events, some of the happenings that happened to him, were interesting in the way he presented them to us. Maybe because he deals with the world in the form of shapes and forms and interactions, that he wants to understand cause and effect, and how things work.
There is no racism or buckteeth, not sure where one of the reviews got that, he just truly enjoys learning. I get the impression that he wants to understand just for the fun of it. He desires, in the end, to understand people, why they do things and uncover life's little mysteries. Like, who is stealing the manhole covers? Was the girl who put the photo albums on his desk in love with him? Why do the hostesses on the train give a military salute when they pull into the station?
Get it used or new, but enjoy it.

2 people found this helpful

Michael R. Gallagher

Enjoyable book, Shenzhen has since changed (for good and bad)

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2007

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I first came to Shenzhen a year or two after Delisle spent his three months in the city, and I have been here since. Mr. Delisle should have gotten out a bit more and tried to get to know more expats at least, although understandable because his time was limited. There's no reason for a dull moment here. Nevertheless, many of his observations were spot on and made me chuckle about how things were and how some are still the same. The physical city has changed and it is so much easier to live a life with the comforts expats expect. Likewise, the outlook of the people here is much more cosmopolitan than before--although there are still many moments of cultural disjunction.

The inherent story of Shenzhen isn't as compelling as his book on Pyongyang, but Delisle has found plenty of observations that keep the book flowing fast. It's great snapshot of a city in the midst of a huge transformation. (BTW, that 15 story windowless building you saw once, but never saw again. It's a parking structure that is still around.)

4 people found this helpful

If you've read Delisle's "Pyongyang", you'll be disappointed with "Shenzhen"

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2008

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Let me just indicate that I am an avid fan of artist Guy Delisle's graphic novels and short stories. I have since purchased his newest book "Burma Chronicles" after reading his wonderful, insightful and caustic "Pyongyang", which details the bizarre, communist "hermit" nation of North Korea.

"Shenzhen" by no means, was the author's first book of its kind, and the predecessor to "Pyongyang". In thisblack-and-white graphic novel, Delisle chronicles his stay in the province of Shenzhen, a region near other major cities in communist China, and the more liberal nations Hong Kong and Taiwan. Personally, I had high expectations for this book despite the somewhat mediocre reviews already up on Amazon. I bought it together with "Burma Chronicles" and read it as soon as it was shipped to me from America. As my first review on Amazon, it saddens me to give this book a 2 out of 5 stars.

First of all, I must compare "Shenzhen" to Delisle's "Pyongyang", because expectations precedes my opinion of the book here. Where "Pyongyang" succeeded as a highly-intelligent, witty, satirical and insightful graphic novel (which this comic genre rarely does) about the absurdities of North Korean life under the dictatorship of Kim Jong-Il, "Shenzhen" does little to inform, to humour, or to intrigue the readers much. Delisle's Shenzhen travelogue merely focuses on his personal boredom, alienated state of being as a foreigner whom knows nothing about the Chinese culture and way of life as he does his job as an animator consultant in an outsourced studio (which does animation series for TV). Through his drawings, narrative boxes and speech bubbles, we are brought into a totally new environment of China and the way of life of the Chinese people as Delisle interacts with his people from various businesses, from strangers, as well as fellow colleagues, along with translators helping and following his footsteps. However, this merely brings us a glimpse into the China culture through a foreigner's eyes, from how some Chinese food is revolting to him, to how a public toilet (arranged in 2 columns of squats with no form of barriers at all) ludicrously resembles an altar of sorts. Personally, most of these "glimpses" are interesting, though trivial. They aren't really superficial per se, but it all seems too spontaneous, and at times frivolous. At one moment in the book, Delisle himself even admits that "[he] keep[s] at [writing] without real conviction. Going in circles in a hotel room, even if it is in China, doesn't seem like the kind of trip anybody would want to read about." First of all, although he may be plain honest about his disparate connection with the Chinese' way of life here, but to admitting it would nonetheless be disengaging himself with the enticing readers. Secondly, Delisle deviates from the main setting of his story as he makes occasional trips to Canton (Guangzhou) and Hong Kong. Instead of making explicit, tangible comparisons between these supposedly more democratic and liberal nations with China, he bragged about how bored he was in Shenzhen and makes flippant comments and jokes about how he enjoyed his shopping spree in Hong Kong.

There are no specific chapter divides in "Shenzhen", except each segment begins with a full-page, realistically rendered drawing of some random building or skyscraper under construction, before moving on to his different sojourns and trips to various locales in Shenzhen. As compared to Delisle's follow-up "Pyongyang", which details much more about the draconian, authoritative control that is exerted on the North Korean people, from the robbing of their liberty, to the disparate class of wealth between the elites and peasants in the communist nation, "Shenzhen" does nothing significant of this sort. Like "Shenzhen", every chapter in "Pyongyang" begins with a full-paged drawing of places/monuments (such as the Juche Tower or the emblem of the Marxist-Communist party), but it further serves the purpose of revealing, one after another, interesting facets of the plight of the N. Korean people and its deplorable culture and practices. Again, "Shenzhen" does nothing of this sort.

The drawings in "Shenzhen" are mostly etched with charcoal, along with other varied styles such as ink or scanned pictures from real sources to represent different times and situations. Most of the charcoal drawings however appear somewhat skimpy and sparse, and often messy, which is inherently different from "Pyongyang", which is more clean, neat, consistent and candid. Perhaps, this adds to Delisle's treatment of the city as one that is blighted or heavily polluted.

As a Singaporean Chinese (not China-Chinese) who knows how to speak Mandarin, also, it is somewhat offensive for Chinese readers like me to detect the incongruity in the speech bubbles of the Chinese characters depicted in his book. Delisle, to his convenience, chose to inscribe nonsensically-pieced words picked from god-knows-what passages that absolutely make no meaning at all, at least to readers who knows Chinese. To English and other foreign readers, this is an otherwise trivial note, and one which adds to the obliviousness of Delisle's experience in China and his blatant disregard for the Chinese audience and language.

In short, "Shenzhen" offers a fresh but limited perspective of life as a foreigner in China. For this reason, along with an identical price tag to the successful book "Pyongyang", I had expected more from Delisle, and was highly disappointed in the end. I hope his latest work "Burma Chronicles" does more, like "Pyongyang", to reveal more interesting facets of life and culture under authoritative regimes, and not fall into the trap of bemoaning about his boredom or alienation, or detail flippant activities and non-enticing monologues.

29 people found this helpful

Marvellous depiction of expat life in industrial China

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2007

Verified Purchase

Guy Delisle's book is a great example of a graphic novel, though this being nonfiction is not really a novel, that is able, or rather requires, the drawings to capture the atmosphere of his life in China. Set in Shenzhen, a city that is primarily a mega-industrial park, Delisle is on a short term international assignment to oversee a company doing animation for a French tv show. Through a sparse, yet entertaining story line, and dark, almost smoggy illustrations, he is able to capture the alienation and isolation of a Westerner's expat life in this grim city. Furthermore, the lack of available distractions are highlighted by one weekend trip to Hong Kong. This book is an entertaining read, and for anyone who has lived abroad for even a short time, it is enough to make you give thanks you did not have to live/work in Shenzhen.

3 people found this helpful

Not as strong as Pyongyang or Burma but still a great read

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2010

Verified Purchase

It's a little smaller and more roughly drawn but you'll still get the same "flavor" of Guy DeLisle's perspective. Obviously, he sees a China different from that of a farmer, laborer, or state bureaucrat so there's still insulation from all the human rights abuses but what you do get is a picture of life in a big up-and-coming industrial city.

If you want a little taste of life as a tourist or a business visitor, this is a good start especially considering the pictures. There is some of the usual analysis you've come to expect but not to the extent in his other works.

One person found this helpful

If you have ever worked in China, you will love this one.

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2012

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Shenzhen is the first of Delisle's travelogues I have read / seen. I can but marvel the way he has succeeded in conveying with just a few words and pictorials some of the feelings and observations that I too had during my stay in China 20+ years ago. The humour is subtle and brilliant. And I must admit, it is a relief to realise I wasn't the only one making diary notes about the toilets; I even took photos because I cannot draw. Cannot wait to see what lurks about in Jerusalem.

2 people found this helpful

lawrence david farrell

China from a unique view

Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2014

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Because of his unique perspective as an invited animator, Delisle is able to insert himself into ordinary life in a large Chinese city without being constantly being 'managed' by state 'handlers'. The results are wry, and often very effective in stripping a rapidly changing society. He is very straightforward, without being condescending to the many people that he interacts with daily. He even gets in a little Shanghai and Hong Kong to boot! A new paradigm for both the travelogue and the 'graphic novel' formats.

Cute but seriously outdated

Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2017

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Amusing time capsule graphic novel. It was from his experiences in the late 1990's - the equivalent would be doing a graphic novel of Silicon Valley/San Jose in 1962 when it mostly up and coming but still a small town in the sticks - amusing but seriously outdated if you intend to gleam any useful information (Shenzhen is the sort of the equivalent of Silicon valley but sort of like Silicon Valley in the early 1970's where you could drive down the street to find a manufacturer which you can really no longer do). So, an amusing illustrated tale that is more like a fictional graphic novel in 2017. Cute but seriously outdated.

Another Delisle Gem

Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2012

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I'm a big fan of Delisle -- had read his "Jerusalem" (after a visit there) and found it to be informative, accurate and humorous. Going to China in the Fall (not Shenzhen, but...) so wanted to see his take on that area.
Again, informative and humorous. He has quite a gift for creating a story and impression with few pen/pencil strokes.

2 people found this helpful

Laugh out loud funny

Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2018

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I lived in China for a year, and this book is insightful and on point. It's a must read if you've had any China moments.

A cheap caricature of a dynamic, complex city... a missed opportunity.

Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2017

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Honestly? This book was offensive. I like the idea of a graphic novel travelogue and I really wanted to like this—but Chinese people are drawn as slant-eyed, wide-smiling caricatures. At one point, Guy literally expresses his bafflement about how "Chinese people can't draw slanty eyes, even though they *have* slanty eyes" (image attached). Shenzhen is depicted as some kind of nightmare and the locals are demure and submissive—it didn't seem like he tried at all to experience or see anything beyond his myopic western perspective. There was little investigation or research into the rich inner lives and complex dynamics within Shenzhen, which was honestly a fascinating place in the 90s—with its rapid industrialization abutting cultural traditions and recent political turmoil. The storytelling was bland and overwhelmingly one of a complacent, confused white man who has no interest in honest or authentic interaction with an 'exotic' place—because we need more stories like this right?

At some point, Guy compares himself to Tintin, which I guess is accurate if you're talking about neo-colonial attitudes and racial insensitivity. I can't believe this was published in 2006 and not 1896.

To his credit, the art is good—but the content is cheap.

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5 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2018

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Love the sense of humor. Not his best book, but definitely entertaining with a lot of truth!

Brilliant and Perceptive

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2013

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Delisle's various travelogues (involving China, North Korea, Israel, and Burma/Myanmar) are fascinating accounts of travel, discovery, disappointment, and delight. Though he often visits parts of the world that are dangerous or depressing, he always comes away with insightful cartoons as a result. Now, if only we can convince him to keep going to dangerous/inhumane locations...

Michael A. Jacobson

Clever, insightful, behind the scene view of modern China's miracle city

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2014

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Guy Delisle has an amazing track record of going to places most people don't even visit, much less live (Pyongyang anyone?) due to his cartooning craft and bringing the absurdities and sly political observations and well drawn imagings to life. Love his work. This is a real eye opener about the modern Chinese condition.

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