Literature for Children and Ideology in Transition: A Study of Haruki Murakami’s The Strange Library
| Authors |
| Anish Bhattacharyya |
| Date of Publication: December, 2025 |
| Volume: XXV, No.- XXVIII |
| DOI:10.65734/tgi.ssei.avp.ijcsss.ti.25.28.2 |
| Abstract |
| Children’s Literature is a misleading phrase. It seems to establish that certain perspectives and topics may come under the purview of the genre, whereas more demanding issues may get assimilated into domains of literature meant for grown-ups. When adults construct literature to suit a specific readership, they may try to filter their narratives accordingly, but is it truly possible to pluck out ideological signifiers from a narrative? This question steers the following research paper. Haruki Murakami, whose works are often said to be postmodern, has refrained from declaring his allegiance to such a label. However, his works do challenge established boundaries. His novella The Strange Library, catering towards children, apparently resembles his other work meant for grownups, Kafka on the Shore. Thus, the aim is to study if an author can filter ideologies based on the intended reader. The paper also investigates how these ideologies manifest when they become moderated. Finally, the paper explores if the very conventional understanding of ‘children’s literature’ demands a revision. |
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