Jerusalem (comics)
Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City | |
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Cover of the English-language edition | |
Author | Guy Delisle |
Cover artist | Guy Delisle |
Language | French, English |
Genre | Graphic novel, Memoir |
Publisher | Drawn and Quarterly |
Media type | Print (hardcover) |
Pages | 320 |
Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City, originally published in French as Chroniques de Jérusalem, is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Guy Delisle. Jerusalem is a travelogue and memoir in which Delisle recounts his trip to Jerusalem and other parts of Israel and the occupied West Bank with his two young children and his long-term partner, Nadège, who went there to do administrative work for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Summary
The book recounts Delisle's year-long trip to Jerusalem with his long-term partner, Nadège, and their two young children. They arrived in August 2008.[1]
Background
Before Jerusalem, Delisle had previously written three other graphic novel travelogues. They are, in order of publication: Shenzhen, about his trip to Shenzhen, an economic hub of Southern China; Pyongyang, about his stay in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea; and Burma Chronicles, about his stay in Rangoon, the then-capital of Burma.[2] He went to Shenzhen and Pyongyang for his work in animation, while he went to Burma to accompany his partner, Nadège, as she did her work for MSF.[citation needed] While in Jerusalem, Delisle again worked primarily as a stay-at-home dad, taking care of their two young children while Nadège was working.[2]
When it was released in English in April 2012, it was perhaps Delisle's most-anticipated book.[1]
Style and themes
Delisle uses simple line drawings that are "plain and clean and casual without being sloppy".[2] And although Jerusalem is Delisle's first book to feature color,[1] Delisle uses it only sparingly, to center attention on certain important objects, including maps, loud noises, or memories.[2]
In the book, Delisle frequently encounters aspects of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and depicts arguments from each side but never openly divulges where his sympathies lie.[3]
Reception
Tim Peters of Slant Magazine summed up, "As a whole, the book is both enjoyable and instructive; it makes you chuckle and grin, and it makes you feel like a more informed, concerned citizen of the world."[2][4][5][6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mackay, Brad. "An innocent abroad in Jerusalem". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Peters, Tim. "Far from home: Guy Delisle's Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ↑ Carlick, Steven. "Book Review: Jerusalem, by Guy Delisle". National Post. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ↑ Fernald, Clay. "Earth prime time: Guy Delisle signing for 'Jerusalem' at Harvard book store". Dig Boston. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ↑ Drummond, Jay. "Delisle’s ‘Jerusalem’ a compelling portrait of conflict zone". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ↑ McGillis, Ian. "It’s Free Comic Book Day, but Guy Delisle’s Jerusalem is one you’ll want to pay for". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 14 May 2012.