In his book review article entitled -The Not-So-Funny Pages- (TIME , Nov. 21, 2005), Austin
Ramzy opines that the book entitled Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle offers an unforgettable look at life in North Korea through an unlikely medium- cartoons. This is a graphic novel which is fascinating as well as hilarious sketch of his two-months visit in the country. From what he was allowed to witness, he strings together a series of remarkable scenes. Though many are seemingly trivial, when seen through the keen eyes of a man who spent his workdays pondering the facial expressions of animated bears, they give rare insight into life beyond the DMZ. Part of the book''s strength is its medium. Delisle, through the simple use of charcoal, ink and dialogue bubbles, captures aspects of life in North Korea that tend to elude observers in other media. Delisle has a deep reservoir of compassion for the people he encounters in this nation as inmates. Even his strict translators and guides, who are gently gibed throughout the book, are depicted in an engagingly human light. Sympathy aside, Delisle is not above a little mischief. He has a beguilingly playful quality as an author, too. Delisle sketches a few scenes that highlight the absurdity of a friendship exhibition in an atomic bunker, but stops short of committing all the details to paper. But even without them, Delisle has drawn an unforgettable picture of Pyongyang.