TITLE: The Photographer
: Into War-Torn Afghanistan with Doctors without Borders AUTHOR: Emmanuel Guibert, Didier Lefevre, and Frederic Lemercier
STARTED: October 9, 2010
FINISHED: October 9, 2010
PAGES: 267
GENRE: Graphic Novel / Non-Fiction
FIRST SENTENCE: [From the Introduction] Until the events of September 11, 2001, Afghanistan had been off the radar of nearly all Americans for many years.
SUMMARY: [From Amazon.com
] This documentary graphic novel brings together starkly beautiful black and white photographs taken by Lefèvre, intimate drawings by Guibert, skillful design by Lemercier and a vibrant translation and thorough introduction by Siegel. In 1986, photographer Lefèvre was hired by Médecins sans Frontières (MSF; Doctors Without Borders), to document a mission into northern Afghanistan. Along the way, he and the doctors, guides and interpreters with whom he traveled endured physical hardship and the fracas of war. In one memorable scene, the group must cross an open plateau where Russian planes fired on the previous MSF caravan. Photographs acting as panels emphasize the vast openness of the plateau, while drawings allow a glimpse of the small human gestures of the travelers. Arriving on the other side of the plateau, they reach a wooded area where, two years ago, they buried the man who didn't make it. This revelation is punctuated by a large photograph of the burial mound under the trees, the mix of drawings and photographs heightening the emotional impact. THOUGHTS: This book was thick. No really, for a graphic novel is huge - my arms got tired holding it. Thank goodness pillows and thighs make good book rests. I expected to fly through this book but I did not. My readathon palate cleanser turned into quite the read. I found myself stopping time and again to re-read text and study the pictures.
The Photographer is a true story about a photographer who chronicles his journey into Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders. The book takes place before the post-September 11th invasion and I think that makes the story all the more poignant. No one who had a hand in this book goes out to sugar coat the story or make a hero out of anybody. They are just trying to do some good in an area of the world that needs it. The locals come across almost as stereotyped characters, but somehow manage to seem more curious than anything else.
I was struck by how intense the images came across. There is a stark difference between drawn comic and the included photographs, this made the book seem more real and current. I don't know how, but it just did.I would be intrigued to see what images from the trip failed to make it into the book.
This graphic novel is not a quick read, nor is it particularly easy to get through. The time it takes to read The Photographer is worth it and I think any reader would find themselves placing this story into the context of today.
RATING: 8/10 [Terrific]
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