Review: Shenzhen – A Travelogue From China
Guy Delisle’s Graphic Novel Memoir of Life in China
Oct 4, 2009 Brian Jungwiwattanaporn
Guy Delisle charmed readers through Pyongyang – A Journey to North Korea with stories of isolation and misunderstanding as an expat working in Asia. He continues these themes in Shenzhen – A Travelogue From China as he finds himself temporarily assigned to an animation studio. Set in 1997, Shenzhen captures a unique place and time in a changing China, and along with Guy Delisle’s wry observations provides a delightful reading experience.
Life in China
Guy Delisle is a French Canadian animator sent to manage a project at a studio in the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. For a period of three months he chronicles his life, insights, and challenges to living in China. Facing interminable boredom and loneliness the reader watches as Delisle interacts with the country around him. As in Pyongyang he lives in a hotel, has a translator, and tries to engage with people amid growing feelings of isolation. He communicates his solitude amidst an alien culture well, demonstrating both his confusion and admiration for life in a changing China.
An Expat in China
Like many people living as foreigners, Delisle tries to survive and find comfort through routine. Colored through the local culture, his experiences of dining, commuting by bicycle, going to the gym, and visiting the dentist become humorous episodes. He’s lost in translation for much of the story but this lends a certain poignancy to the story. Weekend escapades to Canton and Hong Kong capture a feeling of release and reverse culture shock while deepening the memoir.
Chinese Perspectives
As he attempts to engage with co-workers we see the lives of ordinary people making their way through life in China. Delisle has difficulties with communication and is often unable to break the wall of acquaintance into friendship. Despite this, he captures a warmth and earnestness among the people he meets. Although at times many people remain inscrutable, Delisle does not dismiss them, but rather accepts his status as a stranger swimming through a new culture.
A Companion to Pyongyang
Similar in tone to Pyongyang, Shenzhen can be read as a companion story continuing Guy Delisle’s life in Asia. Like many sequels in does not capture much that is new other than the focus on a different location. While Pyongyang remains the stronger, and more interesting tale, Shenzhen provides small moments of quiet joy that are worth reflecting on. A quick read, its insights into living as a foreigner and living in China are worth the investment, and this graphic novel remains more heartfelt than other travel memoirs into the country.
Artwork for Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a black and white graphic novel which highlights Guy Delisle’s pencil work. His pencils and shading capture complex scenes and create a visually exciting style. Interspersed throughout are full page panels depicting the cityscape. Delisle utilizes a multiplicity of styles which charm the reader and provide a visual variety to the story. Some panels are realistic recreations of his experiences while others are presented in a more cartoon like form. Guy Delisle ably uses his art to communicate his story, and his drawings provide a strong and entertaining foundation to Shenzhen – A Travelogue From China
Shenzhen – A Travelogue From China (ISBN 1-894937-79-1) by Guy Delisle was published by Drawn & Quarterly Books in 2006.
Shenzhen A Travelogue From China
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