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Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea Paperback – May 1, 2007

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

107 customer reviews

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As cameras are not allowed in North Korea, Pyongyang is a perfect example of the power of the graphic novel medium.Delisle's critically acclaimed memoir captures his two months spent in North Korea as an animator. As one of the few Westerners who is able to visit the country, without an overt political agenda, he is able to gain personal insight into one of the most secretive nations on the planet. He wants to learn about North Korean culture, but his omnipresent guides restrict him at every turn. Delisle tries to answer the neverending question: do the people support their government or are they too scared to revolt?

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Guy Delisle is a wry 37-year-old French Canadian cartoonist whose work for a French animation studio requires him to oversee production at various Pacific Rim studios on the grim frontiers of free trade. His employer puts him up for months at a time in 'cold and soulless' hotel rooms where he suffers the usual maladies of the long-term boarder: cultural and linguistic alienation, boredom, and cravings for Western food and real coffee. Delisle depicts these sojourns into the heart of isolation in [the] brilliant 'graphic novel' . . . "Pyongyang."" --"Foreign Affairs"

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly; 1st edition (May 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1897299214
ISBN-13: 978-1897299210
Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 0.5 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 107 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Publishers > Drawn and Quarterly
- #2994 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Memoirs

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Michelle M

Another book by Delisle which shows some of what life is like in a country under the international spotlight

May 30, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I really enjoyed reading this book, it gave a good view of what it is like to live in a totalitarian society and how the people act just to keep out of the way of the authorities. It also showed that although North Korea wants to show that it is a state which can manage without input from western countries it actually cannot. I liked the drawing style and the humorous way the author conveyed the information. I would recommend this book and will make every effort to find other books by this author to read

4 people found this helpful

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Craig Rowland

Walking home in the dark

April 14, 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

For the past two nights I have had dreams about North Korea. I don't recall ever having had a recurring dream. I never dreamt about the North during the early part of this year when I read one book after another about the DPRK. I wonder what tonight's dream will be about, considering I have just finished Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea, a graphic novel by Guy Delisle (translated by Helge Dascher). Pyongyang is the first work of graphic fiction I have read. It is classed as a novel but it reflects Delisle's own two-month stay in the North Korean capital where he worked for a French animation company.

Delisle's observations and frustrations in having to deal with North Korean bureaucracy made for a hilarious read. Although Delisle is in the country on a two-month work contract, he is still led by guides everywhere. Guest workers, like tourists, must pay their reverential respect at all North Korean monuments and propaganda museums in addition to working at their job six days a week. Delisle is given the propaganda tour and he depicts himself in some drawings as barely able to contain his laughter. He expresses his frustration at not being able to find a decent cup of coffee in the whole country. I know what I have in store yet I will be prepared in that at least I have the foreknowledge to bring my own, albeit inferior, instant coffee when compared to brewed, from home when I travel there.

The drawings were made with a variety of perspectives which I admired and enjoyed. In the midst of his adventures working with westerners and North Koreans at the animation studio, Delisle inserts a running joke in the form of a police line-up in which he asks the reader "Can You Spot the Traitors?". One must look at all the people and decide from almost an identical set of characteristics who is a traitor to the fatherland. A typical answer would be Figure #1 because "he let the portrait of Our Dear Leader gather dust". I do not believe that a graphic novel about North Korea would have had the same humorous touch if it had been written and drawn by someone who hadn't been there. A book like this would be a welcome addition to my collection on account of its artwork alone, and although I have already read it I would consider buying a copy.

I read the hardcover edition, which was 176 pages printed on a very thick paper. I always had to ensure I wasn't turning two pages at once since it often felt as though I had multiple pages between my fingers.

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Life inside the worlds only Communist dynasty

January 27, 2006

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Since the end of the Korean War, North Korea has become the most isolated, mysterious and fortified country on Earth. Unlike many other remote locations around the world North Korea is not a place many people would want to spend any time. However, thanks to globalization, North Korea's vast supply of super cheap labor and a real need for foreign investment the country has opened its doors just a crack and in peeked cartoonist Guy Delisle for a view at probably the most tightly regulated society on the planet. Mr. Delisle documents his experience in North Korea accompanied by his ever present "guide" and his translator. Pyongyang isn't really a story per se as much as a slice of life glimpse at the daily goings on in North Korea or at least as much of a glimpse as foreigners are allowed to see.

The drawing style in Pyongyang is a minimalist black and white that captures nicely the mirthless life in North Korea. You get a sense that the leadership is desperately trying to maintain a good face for the rest of the world but like the bridge in the book that only gets half painted the rust is bleeding through and the cracks are growing. There could hardly be a better advertisement for Capitalism and Democracy than the sterile, dystopia that is North Korea where airports and restaurants operate without lights and massive construction projects sit unfinished and crumbling. Freeways are built without exits and all the people listen to the same state run radio broadcast featuring music that sounds like "a cross between a national anthem and the theme song of a children's show".

North Korea has the same kind of creepiness as a cult except on a massive scale where Kim Jung Il acts as patron deity and his smiling visage is ever present in society. Each room has his portrait and his face appears on a pin that all Korean's are required to wear. This is a land where worker can advance by ratting on their fellow citizens and slight infractions can cause people to suddenly vanish.

Guy Delisle does a superb job of capturing the bleakness and bizarreness of North Korea contrasting it with his own light hearted rebellious attitude. In the end he tries to retain a shred of normalcy throwing paper airplanes from his apartment window while the people below try and hold it together in a society permeated by fear and mistrust. One of the items that the author brings with him is a copy of George Orwell's `1984' but what he found was the physical manifestations of Orwell's deepest fears brought to life.

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Airwise

what a messed up experience, I felt not pity ...

March 13, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

what a messed up experience, I felt not pity but perplexion at the outcome of guys journey through a country lost in its own world. Highly recomendable for anyone who wants to get a gist of whats going on without it feeling overly politicized

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September 8, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book is an interesting, unique, and clever look into the reclusive state of North Korea. It is easy to read, humorous, and still relevant. I have bought it several times and always end up giving away my copy to someone who is interested in it as well. I will most likely continue this trend until it is out of print. This is a great first book for anyone who interested in learning about North Korea.

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Most recent customer reviews

B. Wolinsky

North Korea is a dump, and only the people in there don't know it.

I’m a little conflicted about this book. On one hand, it’s boring, but on the other hand, it’s about the most boring country on earth.Read more

Published 26 days ago

Kthen29

Always satisfying

An honest perspective. A country through Guy's predictive is always pure, funny, and insightful. Strongly recommended any one of his novels.

Published 1 month ago

Melinda Hanley

Five Stars

Thanks

Published 1 month ago

Mark

Just "Okay"

"Pyongyang" is a decent book. Unfortunately, the topic is the most interesting thing about it. I wouldn't recommend you buy it, rather get it from your library.Read more

Published 4 months ago

Brianna

Needed this for a class and ended up enjoying the book.

Great book

Published 7 months ago

Satisfied Customer

A Quick Read on N. Korea

Easy to read and gave a clear perspective on one person's experience in N. Korea, which matches up to other written testimonies.

Published 10 months ago

Loves the View

the limited menus at cavernous empty restaurants and the annoying music of patriotic songs are similar motifs

While the trip described in this book was taken at least 16 years ago, these vignettes, presented in graphic style, ring true with more contemporary literature.Read more

Published 1 year ago

Phillip Schultz

A glimpse of North Korea

Guy Delisle makes an interesting choice chronicling his time spent in North Korea. He worked there for a French animation study producing cartoons.Read more

Published 1 year ago

Hopper Stone

Five Stars

Delightful and informative.

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