The Tree at Panmunjom: A Review That Means a Great Deal
I'm especially grateful to Matt VanVolkenburg of Gusts of Popular Feeling for his thoughtful and generous review of The Tree at Panmunjom, as well as for sharing some of the conversations we had about the research and personal experiences that went into writing the novel.
Matt described the book as “an in-depth portrait of service on the DMZ, an examination of one young man's growth and a Cold War geopolitical thriller.” I couldn't have asked for a better description of what I hoped to accomplish.
My interest in the Panmunjom Axe Murder Incident began more than thirty years ago and eventually led me to interview American soldiers who had served in the Joint Security Area, including men who witnessed the tragic events of August 18, 1976. Their memories helped me understand not only what happened that day, but also what everyday life was like for the young men stationed along one of the most dangerous borders in the world.
When I began writing The Tree at Panmunjom, I wanted to do more than recreate a historical event. I wanted readers to experience the tension, uncertainty, friendships, and daily routines of those soldiers and understand how an ordinary morning could suddenly become a moment that brought two nations dangerously close to war.
The novel was also a very personal project, drawing on my own military experiences and my long-standing interest in Korean history.
Having the book reviewed on the 50th anniversary of the incident made the occasion even more meaningful. After all the years spent researching and writing this story, it is especially rewarding to know that the historical details and the human side of the novel resonated with a reader who knows Korean history so well.
Thank you again, Matt, for your kind words, your insightful observations, and for helping introduce this important chapter of Korean history to a wider audience.
You can read Matt's review and our conversation here:
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