The Boy Named Crow: A Critical Analysis
The Boy Named Crow
(An excerpt from the novel Kafka on the Shore)
by Haruki Murakami
"The Boy Named Crow" is an excerpt and prologue of sorts from the novel Kafka on the Shore by the Japanese author Haruki Murakami. It was published in the year 2002, with an English translation released later in 2005 which was named one of "The 10 Best Books of 2005" from The New York Times. The story centers around a 15-year-old boy named Kafka that plans to run away from his father, and the boy named Crow who gives him advice about being tough and to think wisely to survive out there alone. The themes of isolation and surrealism can be observed in the story. The purpose of the story is to entertain the readers with its interesting plot and scenes that dwell on reality versus fantasy.
![Image result for the boy named crow](https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/004/261/157/large/nell-fallcard-calledcrow.jpg?1481805221)
The story can be quite confusing at first since it starts mid-conversation between the characters, and we don't really have enough background as to why Kafka wants to run away, or who Crow really is and why Kafka knows him. But as the story goes on, the reader can somewhat put two and two together to realize what could be going on in the story. The styles used in the story such as the descriptive imagery and metaphors truly make the piece interesting and entertaining to read. The metaphor and symbolism with the sandstorm really make you think and try to come up with what it means and how it applies to Kafka and his situation. The minor descriptions like how Kafka easily blushes and the way Crow's voice sounds characteristically sluggish give the reader an idea of what personality the characters in the story may have, and it really made me imagine easily how these two contrast each other. The story, although short, was really interesting to me and was not boring whatsoever. The character's conversation was enough to keep me hooked to continue reading. Plus the metaphors made me analyze and think outside-the-box. It is a short, entertaining piece that can persuade the reader to try and read the rest of the novel to find out what happens to Kafka after he has made his decision of leaving. The novel's surrealist theme can be seen in the text through Crow's descriptions of the sandstorm, the metaphors he used and the fact that Crow is not real, but Kafka's alter ego. In my opinion, not only this text but even the whole novel can be read not only by young adults but teenagers and elders as well. I think this story can appeal and interest a spectrum of ages, and that it will be enjoyable to anyone who likes surrealistic themes.
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