The Burma Chronicles by Guy Delisle

Guy Delisle previously wrote and illustrated the non-fiction graphic novels Shenzhen and Pyongyang, which were about his time working as an animation supervisor in China and North Korea respectively. Delisle seems to have a knack for ending up in countries suffering under totalitarian regimes, as he now finds himself in Burma (aka Myanmar), an ex-colonial country ruled by ‘senior general’ Than Shwe. This time Delisle's not working – his wife is, for Medicine Sans Frontiers, whilst he takes care of their infant son Louis. This gives him plenty of time to wander the neighbourhood seeing the sights, baby in tow. Newspapers are censored, shops are full of empty shelves and an army presence is everywhere. Just down the road (and turn right) the elected leader of the country, Aung San Suu Kyi lives under house arrest. Delisle writes about cultural differences using a familiar tone – “Every morning at around 8am a guy passes by the house, tapping on a bell” and so on. It’s his personal view, and it’s very engaging. The art is simple, but the book isn’t. You’ll end up learning a whole lot more than you thought you would from a comic. [Ryan Agee]