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Famously referred to as part of the 'Axis-of-Evil', 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. Review: An Amazing Book - I really enjoyed reading this book and I learnt a lot of things about North Korea that I did not know before. His stories, written almost like they are diary entries, are very interesting and its fascinating to see how he changes from the start to the end of the book, progressively becoming bolder. The art work is very simple so don't expect anything amazing in that department but it doesn't need to be because the narration and text drive the story.The only negative thing I can say about this is that a lot of chapters just fizzle out, meaning there is no amazing conclusion to what happened at the end of each tale that he is telling from his trip. But still I very much enjoyed the journey he took me on and I will be reading the rest of the books in this series. Review: The cradle of "Fake News" ? - Gut turns his cynical cartoonist eye on North Korea. He highlights the diet of fake news that is constantly fed to its citizens as well as highlighting the class divide between levels of its closed society. It is clear that the Kim dynasty thrive on creating fear and mstrust to its populus. For free-thikers and armchair venturers, it is an entertaining, but sobering read.
| Best Sellers Rank | 75,131 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 91 in Political Humour (Books) 204 in Cartooning 770 in Travel Writing (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 628 Reviews |
N**T
An Amazing Book
I really enjoyed reading this book and I learnt a lot of things about North Korea that I did not know before. His stories, written almost like they are diary entries, are very interesting and its fascinating to see how he changes from the start to the end of the book, progressively becoming bolder. The art work is very simple so don't expect anything amazing in that department but it doesn't need to be because the narration and text drive the story.The only negative thing I can say about this is that a lot of chapters just fizzle out, meaning there is no amazing conclusion to what happened at the end of each tale that he is telling from his trip. But still I very much enjoyed the journey he took me on and I will be reading the rest of the books in this series.
A**S
The cradle of "Fake News" ?
Gut turns his cynical cartoonist eye on North Korea. He highlights the diet of fake news that is constantly fed to its citizens as well as highlighting the class divide between levels of its closed society. It is clear that the Kim dynasty thrive on creating fear and mstrust to its populus. For free-thikers and armchair venturers, it is an entertaining, but sobering read.
B**D
Fascinating Insight
A fascinating travelogue into the world's most secretive state, albeit one now dated a good decade ago when Kim Jong Il still presided. This story of a French-born Canadian animator undertaking a supervisory job in North Korea would be an interesting read for anyone interested in the country in any form, but Delisle's brilliant graphics and sense of gentle humour make it even more enjoyable, and more accessible and fun for people less into the cultural/political side of things. This is a graphic novel aimed at adults, but it is worth mentioning that there is nothing unsuitable for older children here (no sex, no violence, no bad language)
P**E
Fantastic, clever and original format! Well worth reading!!
I ordered this specifically when all the furore broke about the banned film "The Interview" (Seth Rogen/James Franco) as it had been based on this book. I've never read a graphic novel before, and never felt moved to, but this was SO worthwhile! It's full of humour, incredibly drawn - down to the tiniest detail - and you feel as though you've been living his life with him and experienced Pyongyang and the repressive North Korean regime personally. My intention is to read more of his books, as they're very clever, very thought-provoking and contain the occasional funny 'quiz', giving even more insight into his experiences. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
G**G
Really clever
I've bought my first book a month ago (the one about North Korea). Two weeks later I had already bought and read all of his books. It is extraordinary that he had been to so many countries where I worked and his ability to summarise all the details of the local life in such an elegant and simple way is extraordinary. Guy is probably the best cartoonist alive. I think this is the first book where he's comfortable with his own style (later on he'd follow the same style in Bhurma and Jerusalem). It is a great pleasure to read and to admire his art. The story itself is great and a spot on summary of life in the country.
T**E
Funny and interesting to read
I took this on holiday with me and it really is worth a read. The drawings by Delisle are, as always, impeccable and humorous. I haven't been to North Korea, so I have no idea if what he says is true, but he does express himself in a very genuine and understandable way. The jokes and side-thoughts by Delisle add to the read; it's a really enjoyable book. I am not a comic book or graphic novel fan... this was my first one and I have bought another of Delisle's books to continue whetting the appetite.
C**H
Magnificent
North Korea has become the centre of the world's attention ever since Trump took office and started his whole military-posturing thing; Delisle's magnificent book shows what the reality of life is there for people on the outside looking in, and I think that this book is rapidly becoming an indispensable text. Magnifiique!
G**S
Love it!
Great overview and storytelling on one of the most secretive counties in the world. Couldn’t stop reading it! A “must read” in graphic novels.
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