Since I was turned onto the pleasures of reading graphic novels a few years ago, particularly nonfiction, I have in turn recommended various titles to people who up to that point, were not graphic novel readers. Sometimes they end up liking them and become fans of the genre, too; sometimes not. One such success was a coworker of mine. I had recommended a couple of titles (Fun Home and Persepolis) and before I knew it, she had read those and gone onto to discover even more graphic nonfiction and was now giving me recommendations.
One such suggestion was Pyongyang, French-Canadian Guy Delisle’s account of living and working in North Korea. Working for a French cartoon company, he’s there for several months to oversee the work of the other cartoonists and work with the North Korean employees to ensure that the translated works make sense -w hich they often don’t, to Delisle’s continued frustration. When not trying to overcome cultural and language barriers at work, he’s exploring the city and trying to make sense of this bizarre, somewhat menacing, somewhat pathetic, country he finds himself in. The mundane absurdities of life for a foreigner in this communist dynasty are detailed in both funny and pathetic ways, but the longer he’s there, the more Delisle’s attitude shifts from amused disbelief to weary cynicism, and even his cutting humor takes on a tired, sullen tone.
Pyongyang was a fascinating and unusual story, showing us one foreigner’s experience of this mysterious country, even though, just like Delisle, by the time the book concludes you are just as ready to get out of there as he is.
Applicable Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library, 100+ Reading Challenge, Canadian Book Challenge 3, Graphic Novels Challenge
Book Rating: 4: Good, solid book that I would recommend to others.
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library.

































