Guy Delisle records his three-month stay in the Special Economic Zone of Shenzhen as an animation supervisor. Through minimalist black-and-white drawings, he documents the daily isolation of working in a foreign production studio where he speaks neither Cantonese nor Mandarin. The narrative focuses on the logistical frustrations of a rapidly industrializing city, capturing specific details like the repetitive diet of hotel food, the difficulty of finding English-language books, and the stark physical contrast between gleaming skyscrapers and dirt paths. He describes the mechanical nature of the local animation industry and the social distance between expatriate managers and Chinese artists.
This book serves expatriates and travelers interested in the mundane realities of life in a foreign manufacturing hub. Readers look for a firsthand account of culture shock that avoids typical tourist landmarks in favor of suburban office parks and train stations. The audience gains a perspective on the psychological effects of social solitude and the challenges of communicating across linguistic barriers in a corporate setting. By the end, a reader understands the specific pace of Chinese urban development and the practical difficulties of navigating a society undergoing rapid economic transition.
Balanced in tone; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2000
- Language
- EN
