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Author: Nongmaithem Pravenchandra Singh

ABSTRACT:
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami remains arguably one of his most celebrated works till date. Originally released in Japanese in 2002, the English translation by Philip Gabriel won the World Fantasy Award in 2006 and gained critical and commercial acclaim. The novel is known for its subtle blend of mundane and metaphysical elements, as it is deeply rooted in magic realism. On the other hand, Murakami’s obsession with pop-cultural elements is reflected in the recurring appearance of music throughout the novel. This paper aims to study the convergence of magic realism and music in Kafka on the Shore and will try to understand its interaction with themes such as identity, memory, fate, and consciousness. By identifying instances of magic realism within the novel along with the juxtaposition of music, this study will demonstrate that music and magic in Kafka on the Shore are not merely for decorative purposes. However, this is a unique strategy employed by Haruki Murakami to articulate the complexities of the modern human psyche.

Keywords: Magic Realism, Music, Metaphysical Space, Identity