Raaf is dutch for 'Raven'. Although The story is originally written in english, the title of the book remains Dutch.
Because in my opinionthewordsoundslikea Raven's call, and it's also a nice, bold, word to say when spoken with the typical dutch ("Rollende") 'r'.
RAAf is a story about... Well, about Raaf.
That is how he's called. It's How he calls himself.
He has a head of a Raven and is a bit of an "odd bird" so to say. Why does he have a Raven's head, you ask? - well... nobody knows how it got to that point (ok, I'm the writer so I know, but I'm not telling -ha.)
The story mainly tells you -the reader- about Raaf, his ongoing metamorphose and his weird life. His ups and mainly, even more so, his downs. He lives a life of solitude, together with his birds. Lots and lots of birds.
So, Raaf's looks and characteristics change throughout the story. Raaf as a character is a metaphor for being different, being an outsider and never fitting in. His physical and mental change is a metaphor for finding your true self, personal growth, identity. Raaf is a person of solitude, a real 'Einzelgänger'. There are positive and (mostly) negative sides to his alone-ness and thus his loneliness. The technique in which the book is executed will also represent an overall mood and Raaf's emotions.
The graphic novel is (semi-) autobiographical.
As a young kid ánd up until now, I find myself being and feeling a lot like my main character RAAF. I'm An outsider, so-called fifth wheel from time to time and an absolute lover of solitude. As a kid, I got bullied a lot and never felt like I belonged anywhere until I had my Jackdaw Gerrit. Because animals can show us an unconditional love, give us comfort and they don't judge. It felt like a very pure friendship.
I'm not going into detail, as I find it slightly awkward to even tell you. At first I never realized that Raaf and I don't differ all that much, as the project grew bigger and more important I did realise that more and more, now, Raaf feels like a brother to me.
you can Read the complete graphic novel to Find out what drives Raaf, how he lives and who he is. Or should I say who he becomes?
Excited to get the book? order here!