Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #332377 in Books
• Published on: 2006-01-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 184 pages

UPSTREET, Rev by Myles Quin
`His keen eye, dry wit and mile-wide subversive streak make
Delisle a fascinating guide.'

Synopsis
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 of 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.

Customer Reviews

Great Debut
I picked this up after a friend's recomendation and was thoroughly impressed by Guy and his North Korean journey. Worth a read.

Excellent book
I oredered this book out of curiosity about North Korea; out the same reason I also bought AQUARIUMS OF PYONGYANG. Guy Delisle's book is just great - I enjoyed the time reading it - it gets you from the first pages. One does not get to know many details about functioning of North Korean society, as most of it was apparently banned to the author, it is rather an account (sometimes very funny, sometimes ironic) how a Westerner perceives the country confronting his values and way of life with a different approach and reality. The form of a graphic novel was also excellent choice - pictures are superb. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

a jaw droppingly good insight into North Korea
Want to learn more about this regime? Keen to know why we SHOULD all be wetting our pants because this lot are nuclear? This graphic novel elegantly and beautifully illustrates the status quo in North Korea and is a penetrating insight into this regime.
If you liked Spigelmann's MAUS - you will love this book. I read it in one sitting and was immediately inspired to find out more about North Korea.... BUY IT... BORROW IT ... READ IT... *************************************************************************************************
It is that good...