Reflective Journal No. 6: The Boy Named Crow

           The Storm is You.

          "And once the storm is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is for certain. When you come out of the storm, YOU WON'T BE THE SAME PERSON WHO WALKED IN. That's what this storm is all about. "

-Crow
(Kafka on the Shore: The boy named Crow)

Who is the author behind Kafka on the Shore?

Born January 12, 1949, Kyōto,Japan, the most widely translated Japanese novelist of his generation.

HARUKI MURAKAMI

                  Murakami’s first novel, Kaze no uta o kike (1979; Hear the Wind Sing; film 1980), won a prize for best fiction by a new writer. From the start his writing was characterized by images and events that the author himself found difficult to explain but which seemed to come from the inner recesses of his memory. Some argued that this ambiguity, far from being off-putting, was one reason for his popularity with readers, especially young ones, who were bored with the self-confessions that formed the mainstream of contemporary Japanese Literature. His perceived lack of a political or intellectual stance irritated “serious” authors, who dismissed his early writings as being no more than entertainment.

                 Murakami then published 1973-nen no pinbōru (1980; Pinball, 1973) and Hitsuji o meguru bōken (1982; A Wild Sheep Chase), novels that feature the narrator of Hear the Wind Sing and his friend, known as “the Rat.” Those first three novels constituted a loose trilogy. A Wild Sheep Chase became his first major international success. Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973, which had previously been translated into English in a limited run, were reissued in English as Wind/Pinball in 2015. The narrator and the Rat also appeared in Murakami’s next important novel,Sekai no owari to hādoboirudo wandārando (1985; Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World), a fantasy that was successful with the public and won the prestigious Tanizaki Price Murakami adopted a more straightforward style for the coming-of-age novel Noruwei no mori (1987; Norwegian Wood; film 2010), which sold millions of copies in Japan and firmly established him as a literary celebrity. He then returned to the bizarre milieu of his earlier trilogy with Dansu Dansu Dansu (1988; Dance Dance Dance).  

Summary: 

                                             The Boy Named Crow

                    

                Kafka was never been close to his dad and it is enough reason for him to come up for a decision of running away from home. He's up to finally run away when he saw the boy named Crow at the office of his dad. Crow asked him how much money will he need and he answered Y400,000. He taught Crow will make his escape plan easier but he expected wrong.

               Crow asked him a lot of questions about Kafka's plan after finally running away and Kafka felt silent. Crow made Kafka see that he is only 15 years old and it seems impossible for him to live without the support from his Dad. But Kafka is really eager for independence, so he disregard the what if's that Crow made him see.

         Reflective Journal # 6: The Boy Named Crow

                               Better Version of Myself

                      I always asked, why does life has to be so hard? Why do I have to experience struggles and problems? And when will this problem stop? But, after reading "The Boy Named Crow", one thing was inculcated in my mind: Challenges and problems are the point of life and why I am still living.

                    The character of Kafka made me see my 11-years old self when I also once planned to run away from home because I had enough with the problems in my family. I once taught that maybe if I am away from my chaotic family, I will be fine. And remembering that day, I thanked my old self that she chose to stay and faced the problem. Because now, I am alright and everything is good. Even though Kafka's and my 11-years old self's decision was different, the point of Crow in the story where he said that fate is you. I learned that fate will always depend on him you will make your decision, because at the end of the day, it's you who will still matters.

                    The advice of Crow about life being a sandstorm inspired me a lot to face my problems instead of running away from it. Because like what Crows had said, once the problems are over , you will never remember how you survived , but one thing is for sure, you are not the same person again. And with that, I will faced the conflicts that will come my way like what my 11-years old self did, because I wanted to learn and be a better version of myself.

Reflective Journal No.5: A Thousand Splendid Suns

         On Her Way

                 Every women differs from the qualities they possessed. These qualities are the things that makes them a unique and special individuals. However, majority of women didn't see how special and beautiful they are because they focus too much with their insecurities and imperfections.

                 The story of "A Thousand Splendid Suns" narrates the story of Mariam, a muslim woman, who see herself low compare to other females in this world. This story makes everyone realized how every woman is beautiful with her own way.

Who is the author behind "A Thousand Splendid Suns"?

KHALED HOSSEINI

Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1965. His father was a diplomat in the Afghan Foreign Ministry and his mother taught Farsi and history at a high school in Kabul.

In March 2001, while practicing medicine, Hosseini began writing his first novel, The Kite Runner. Published by River head Books in 2003, that debut went on to become an international bestseller and beloved classic, sold in at least seventy countries and spending more than a hundred weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. In May 2007, his second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, remaining in that spot for fifteen weeks and nearly an entire year on the bestseller list. Together, the two books have sold more than 10 million copies in the United States and more than 38 million copies worldwide. The Kite Runner was adapted into a graphic novel of the same name in 2011. Hosseini’s much-awaited third novel, And the Mountains Echoed, will be published on May 21, 2013.

A Thousand Splendid Sunsby Khaled Hosseini

SUMMARY:

           Mariam and Rasheed are newly married couple and it is also the first time, Mariam wear a burqa. It is a weird feeling for Mariam. The couple went to a park and while walking she kept on stepping on the hem of her burqa. Next, Rasheed bring Mariam in a Kebab house, and it is also the first time she has been on a restaurant like that. However, she is thankful with her husband's presence and the burqa she is wearing because she somehow found comfort from it. With their little strolling down, Mariam notices the different types of women. Those types of women made Mariam feel low about herself.

What did I learned after reading "A thousand Splendid 

Suns"?

Reflective Journal # 5: A Thousand Splendid Suns

                             Special As You Are

                     Every woman got their own insecurities and doubts about herself. It's the things that makes their self confidence stooped down. However, these insecurities are influenced by the standards of our society and the culture they exercised to do. This situation are mainly for the Islam women.

                   After reading the story of "A Thousand Splendid Suns", realizations hit my mind. First, is how Muslim people suffer from discrimination of society because they are being blamed for the terrorism. When in fact, terrorism is only caused by small group of rebels who just happened to be Muslims.

                 Another realization that I had is how Muslim women are being abused with the Muslim's culture that their husbands are allowed to have multiple wives. In my opinion, even though women are meant to be submissive with men, they still have the right to be love with fidelity even the Muslim women.

                 Lastly, the novel made me see that appreciation will always start with you. Therefore, as a lady, you must see your own beauty first, before others appreciate you. You must also not compare yourself with other women because God created you differently and you are meant to be special as you are.

Reflective Journal No.4: The Valley of Amazement

                 YOUR SELF..

               Being true to ourselves is a hard thing to do because of our own insecurities. It is a challenge to accept our flaws and weird things about us. However, these weird and random things that we experienced and done are the things that make us unique from others.

               

                The novel "The Valley of Amazement" is an eye opener for the society that being odd is something that makes you beautiful.

Who is the author behind "The Valley of Amazement"?

           Amy Tan

                Amy Tan (born February 19, 1952) is an American writer whose works explore mother-daughter relationships and theChinese-American experience. Her best-known work is The Joy Luck Club, which has been translated into 25 languages. In 1993, the book was adapted into a commercially successful film.

               Tan has written several other bestselling novels, including The Kitchen God's Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter's Daughter, Saving Fish from Drowning and The Valley of Amazement. She also wrote a collection of non-fiction essays entitled The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings. In addition to these, Tan has written two children's books: The Moon Lady (1992) and Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (1994), which was turned into an animated series which aired on PBS.

The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan

Summary:

                Lulu was born with extra pinkies on both her hands. It is different from the others but Lulu accepted it. However, her parents who make decision with logic and reasoning doesn't wanted it. When Lulu tried to study piano, her piano teacher recommended to her parents to remove her surplus fingers because there is no piano piece for 12 finger. The operation happened and Lulu's deformities gone. But together with her extra fingers, the old Lulu gone. She became a distant and shy type of person. From this, she will become Lucia and will make decisions that never do any good to her.

What did I learned after reading "The Valley of 

Amazement"?

REFLECTIVE JOURNAL # 4: THE VALLEY OF AMAZEMENT

                                                      BEST REASON

                    Defying standards is a major issue of our society as Asians. If someone became odd, judgements will rise. So, we chosed to go with the flow even if it is againts our will.

                    After reading "The Valley of Amazement", I learned how Asian's and American's culture differ when it comes to physical appearance. Asians areore insicure with their physical appearance compare to Americans.

                   Another thing that I learned from the novel is the essence of true beauty. Beauty is not based on the physical aspects of an individual, it is shown on how the beholder see his/her own beauty. Therefore, we shall learn to accept the imperfections and weird things that makes us beautiful.

                  The last thing that I realized after reading the novel, is how our childhood experiences can affect our present and future version of us.

                 

No matter what happen in our life, we still have the final say on how it will goes. And for us to choose the right choice, we shall know ourselves completely. Because, it is the thing that can give us the best reason to smile and be happy during our journey.