In depth and insight, Guy Delisle is not comparable to Joe Sacco. He is not very interested in local people as Joe Sacco is. Guy is more of a traditional western travel writer. He is the typical witty writer who gets caught in interesting places and interesting situations, keen observer and always looking out for cultural nuances and culture shocks. His drawing is also minimal and effective. And his colours are pitch perfect! Delisle offers a desultory description of the year he spent in Burma with his family while his wife was stationed there with MSF. There are oblique observations about living in a foreign place, oblique criticisms of the Burmese junta, and oblique pings at the lifestyles of both wealthy Burmese and the ex-patriot community working in the country. In all, a compelling picture emerges of the milieu in which Delisle found himself. It's probably an intentional and philosophical decision to make the book entirely solipsistic (everything is revealed wholly in relation to Delisle and his needs and interests and priorities), but one wonders why his wife features so little and is drawn so harshly and whether his interactions with Burmese folks were as tone-deaf and patronizing as he depicts them. His self-reported obsession with getting into the Australians' country club becomes representative of the book as a whole. Perhaps it was meant as self-deprecatory or humorous, but it is ultimately annoying that the man raising a child, with a wife working for a humanitarian organization, in a community characterized by poverty and social and political injustices, becomes so focused on finding a connection who can get him into the swimming pool.
What do You think about Cronache Birmane (2007)?
Another excellent view into a different, harsh, restrictive, beautiful, odd part of the world.
—Amethyst_J
I would be tempted to do something like this for life in India... if only I could draw!
—dj8900
I can associate with this book on so many levels! Gave me some very hearty laughs!
—ekeak
