World Famous Comics: Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea
Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea
By: Guy Delisle Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 192 Publication Date: May 01, 2007 Release Date: May 01, 2007 Studio: Drawn and Quarterly
Product Description: Famously referred to as an 'Axis-of-Evil' country, North Korea remains one of the most secretive and mysterious nations in the world today. A series of manmade and natural catastrophes have also left it one of the poorest. When the fortress-like country recently opened the door a crack to foreign investment, cartoonist Guy Delisle found himself in its capital Pyongyang on a work visa for a French film animation company, becoming one of the few Westerners to witness current conditions in the surreal showcase city. Armed with a smuggled radio and a copy of 1984, Delisle could only explore Pyongyang and its countryside while chaperoned by his translator and a guide. But among the statues, portraits and propaganda of leaders Kim Il-Sung and his son Kim Jong-Il - the world's only Communist dynasty - Delisle was able to observe more than was intended of the culture and lives of the few North Koreans he encountered. His astute and wry musings on life in the austere and grim regime form the basis of this remarkable graphic novel. "Pyongyang" is an informative, personal and accessible look at an enigmatic country.
A Sad, Empathetic Take on North Korea ^ In recent years, North Korea has held a prominent place in our collective imaginations as a tiny, isolated Asian country that shares membership in the "axis of evil" and yet is a country of which little is known. French Canadian cartoonist Guy Delisle travels to this enigmatic country for a two month business trip and attempts to unravel some of the mystery and inconsistencies of life in Communist Korea. His experiences are depicted with simplicity and grace in the graphic novel memoir/travelogue, Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea.
Delisle is sent to North Korea as an animator whose expertise as an animator is valued by the North Koreans. In the process, he learns how things work or don't work in this stark country. He sees and subtly critiques a country where massive buildings go unfinished, highways are without exit ramps, and airports and restaurants are without lights. Delisle's wry humor emerges throughout the story, including telling jokes that are above the heads of his humorless "Comrade Guide" and "Comrade Translator" and his habit of throwing paper airplanes out of his 15th floor hotel window. He shows the grim reality of decades of extreme Communism by depicting the monotony of having only one radio station to listen to, being surrounded by ubiquitous statues and images of dictators Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung, and choosing from a rather bland selection of restaurants and food.
In an ironic motif throughout the story, he carries around a copy of Orwell's 1984 that he brought with him and eventually gives to his unsuspecting guide. The reader is constantly reminded of connections between the society Orwell describes in his dystopian classic and the realities of life in present day North Korea. It makes the reader wonder if Delisle's reflections are a foreshadowing of the future (as predicted in 1984) or a window into a dying outpost of Communist totalitarian rule.
Even when Delisle questions the inconsistencies of his host country, he maintains not only a sense of humor but he also shows compassion to the local citizens with whom he comes in contact: his guides, the other animators, the restaurant workers, his translator. One gets the feeling that his purpose in telling this story about such a misunderstood country is to expand our understanding of it. He does this with quirky details that give it credibility and he does it by placing himself in the center of the narrative so that he can capture the range of emotions of a confused Westerner living in Pyongyang. Delisle's balance of critique and empathy make Pyonyang a compelling and memorable read. It complements nicely his other two graphic novels: Burma Chronicles and Shenzen: A Travelogue from China.
Many tweens, no peak... beyond the Ryugyong Hotel ^ If most travelogues glorify epic moments, this one focuses on duller "tweens".
As we learn from this Canadian cartoonist (Delisle comes from the Belle Province of Quebec), "tweens" are images needed to recompose a movement in a cartoon, between two "keys" drawn by chief animators. Boring stuff : one slight change at a time, no creativity involved... so studios outsource "tweens" to cheap labor countries.
Such as North Korea, where the author had to sojourn a few months to monitor the process.
"Pyongyang" is a graphic novel depicting the tweens between two flights.
Don't expect investigative journalism deep inside the country. "Pyongyang" is more the story of a failure to really enter North Korea.
Don't expect tales of hunger and misery. "Pyongyang" is more the story of a slice of melon and isolation.
That should be boring stuff : one slight change at a time, no creativity involved (absurd acts of subversion set aside)... but it's not. Image by image, Guy Delisle traps the reader into a Kafkaesque / Orwellian routine. And unlike Dino Buzzati's "The Tartar Steppe", or "The Great Walls of Samaris (Stories of the fantastic)" (by Schuiten and Peeters)*, that's not fiction : only a simple and honest testimony.
* Buzzati for the rhythm and suspended time, Schuiten-Peeters for the architectural, theatrical, and somehow absurd journey.
Sadly Delightful ^ I have read several books from North Koreans who have escaped (The Aquariums of PyongYang, This is Paradise! My North Korean Childhood) I was interested in reading something from an outsider who had spent a little time in North Korea. I didn't read the reviews too closely apparently, because I was surprised to find out that this was a "cartoon" book as it were (graphic novel?). But I believe it describes North Korea better than a narrative could, the insanity of that nation brought to life to see. I read 1984 about 20 years ago, and I am re-reading it now. It amazes that a society of millions could exist on this planet in a world which is more insane than that in 1984. This book is utterly outstanding, albeit sad that such a place exists. The Thought Police are everywhere.
A glimpse inside a closed nation... ^ Although the scope of this book is obviously limited due to the author's own sphere of experience in North Korea, the minimalist drawings and humorous anecdotes bring to life the experience of visiting this communist nation. The humor is a welcome respite in the midst of a story of a nation shrouded in great fear, lack and paranoia.
I think that the author's minimalist drawing style is great and really allow the images to take front and center. I enjoy the intermittent full-page drawings of the people, places and things Mr. Delisle sees... He doesn't wax introspective to a degree that is distracting. He seems to care about the North Korean people that he meets/works with (and the "volunteers" he sees throughout his trip) although he must struggle with the language, cultural and political barriers that separate them. Overall, I really see an honest account coming through the drawings and dialogue and found myself completely wrapped up in the story.
He has a very special account of how he and his official guide and driver spent an afternoon near a stream/river just doing whatever...smoking, enjoying the stream or taking a nap. An ode to the freedom to do and be in the moment...a feeling that most in the "Western-world" do not understand the absence of, yet is a near every-moment reality for those living in totalitarian regimes all around the world.
I would recommend this book for High-School students, history students and current-events watchers as it gives a fresh and personal perspective on a nation with an volatile history, intense current issues and a future no doubt to be in the international spotlight for better or worse...for the sake of the people of North Korea here is hoping it is for the better...
A graphic novel without explosions.... ^ Graphic novels as travelogues is not as common as they should be but they are starting to pop up a lot more. Guy Delisle's visit to North Korea was amazing and a tad weird. I am surprised, after some of the things he did, he was allowed to leave. It almost makes me wish I could get a job in North Korea so I can see if half of the book is true. Maybe if North Korea allowed tour groups in? Visit one of the last remaining Communist nations! SEE clean streets! WATCH volunteers work around the clock! ENJOY living without power! Frankly, did remind me a little of 1984.
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