The Photographer

By ⋅ May 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

thephotographer_cover1The World’s Clark Boyd tells us about a new graphic novel.  It’s the tale of Didier Lefèvre, a photojournalist who accompanies a Doctors Without Borders mission into Afghanistan in 1986.  The book is a mesmerizing combination of graphic novel, photojournalism and reported memoir that takes you back in time and deep inside the culture and landscape of a particular region of Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation.

As Clark and I discuss in the podcast, sometimes a graphic novel makes for a more powerful history lesson than any number of academic tomes. Here’s a slideshow Clark did on the book too.

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Discussion

5 comments for “The Photographer”

  • http://jacksoncouse.com/beingthere Jackson Couse

    Although I have not (yet) read the book, I enjoyed this piece, thanks!

    While I was in Sarajevo and Kosovo, I found “Safe Area Gorazde” by Joe Sacco an invaluable and fascinating read. Sacco, a graphic artist, redraws his dramatic journeys during Bosnia during the wars in the 1990s. When I find a copy of “The Photographer”, no doubt they will sit side-by-side on my bookshelf.

    • http://www.theworld.org Clark Boyd

      Jackson —

      Funny thing is, I did a piece years ago on Joe Sacco and Safe Area Gorazde. They do sit well together on a bookshelf!

      • http://jacksoncouse.com/beingthere Jackson Couse

        This was the first time I’ve visited PRI’s The World, I think I’ll be coming back more often.

        I am constantly frustrated by the impossibility of photography. It is so close to reality, but never really real. This book is fascinating because it brings forward the emotional-truth of the story, a feeling of presence, in a way that photography alone sometimes struggles to do.

        I find this book inspiring. I was lucky to work on a sort-of similar project, Larry Towell’s “The World From My Front Porch.” As an intern, I photographed 1000 objects collected by Larry during his travels to South America, Palestine, and places closer to home. Things like rubber bullets, gas masks, and family albums. It was neat to be a witness to the passion that goes into making a book like this. 14 teeth worth in Lefèvre’s case!

        • http://www.theworld.org Clark Boyd

          Jackson —

          Come back often!

          FWIW, Larry Towell’s book of black and white photography from El Salvador during the civil war years is truly amazing. It’s called simply “El Salvador” if you’re interested.

        • Terry

          What was he like to work with???
          Did you travel to his home???
          Thanks, T