Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea

Guy Delisle spent two months in Pyongyang overseeing an animation project at a state-run studio. This graphic memoir documents his daily routine under constant supervision by a government-assigned translator and guide. Delisle records the eerie silence of the capital’s wide streets, the absence of disabled people or elderly citizens in public spaces, and the ubiquitous presence of the Great Leader's portrait. He illustrates the absurdity of constant propaganda through restricted library visits, scripted tours of monuments, and the logistical challenges of working in a foreign facility with limited resources.

Readers interested in closed societies and geopolitical oddities find this a candid look at life within a totalitarian regime. It appeals to fans of visual storytelling who prioritize observation over political theory. By following Delisle's mundane interactions and small acts of defiance, like lending a copy of George Orwell’s 1984 to his handler, the reader understands the psychological pressure of perpetual surveillance. The book provides a glimpse into the isolation of North Korean citizens and the rigid bureaucracy that governs their contact with outsiders.

Balanced in tone; an easy read.

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