From School Library Journal
YA-A first novel that is roughly autobiographical. The book is divided into three sections that reflect three time periods and locales: Joe's early years in Korea, his school years and army training in Charleston, SC, and the young man's second rotation in Vietnam, during which he commands an elite company of volunteers. The theme that unites the entire book is Joe's separation from his older brother during their flight from their Korean sea-coast town following the killing of their parents in the early days of that country's civil war. All that Joe has left from his former life is one photograph. He spends most of the book hoping to get to Korea to look for his brother. Another photograph leads him to find what he is searching for. The first part of the story has a more carefully worked script, and the author's depiction of horror, disbelief, and unreality is impressive. This is a book that will help YAs understand two recent Asian wars and also help young immigrants better appreciate their heritage.-Clodagh Lee, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From the Inside Flap
THE PHOTOGRAPHER By Joe Porcelli The Korean War has been called America's "forgotten war;" it was officially termed a "police action." A young Korean boy, the central character in this compelling first novel, sees his family killed in the war. Only his older brother lives to help him survive the war; then the brothers are separated. adopted by an American officer, the orphaned Korean child is brought to America; his only possession is a photograph of himself, his brother and his mother. He grows to manhood in Charleston, South Carolina, where he discovers Southern hospitality and racial prejudice--and love. Following his graduation from a military college, he enters the United States Army where he eventually becomes part of a special unit which is sent into combat in Vietnam. there, he is able to purge the nightmares which have haunted him for years and to discover the true meaning of the photograph. Back Flap Copy Joe Porcelli came to the United States from Korea in 1954 and grew up in South Carolina and The Citadel. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1970, with the rank of captain. At various times he has been employed as a merchant marine, professional diver, marine contractor, soldier of fortune in Africa and South America. He now resided in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife and four children, where he is working on his next novel.
