Genres- What is Magical Realism????

Magical Realism depicts a picture of the real world with the addition of magical elements.  Magical Realism can also be called marvelous Realism, according to Wikipedia.  Many would say if there is magic, it must be Fantasy.  It seems the line becomes a bit blurred between the two, but the defining characteristics are the story takes place in the real world, not a fantasy world, and in this world, magic is thrown in as usual.

Quotes that describe Magical Realism

Magic Realism, (also known as Magical Realism or marvelous Realism) is a style of fiction and literary genre that paints a realistic view of the modern world while also adding magical elements. It is considered a subgenre of Fantasy, and is sometimes called fabulism,

Wikipedia

"Magic Realism is based in our reality, and when fantastical things happen, none of the characters see the magic as strange, but it's just accepted. So it's the writer showing us an alternative to accepted reality. Fantasy is usually completely separate to our world. "

 Reddit

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe was the book I read that is described as "Truly magical realism at it's best" by Karen White.  In the book, you are thrown into a lovely small town where everyone knows everyone.  You get to know the people in the book and the relationships between their families and their neighbors.  This is all typical of what you would find in a small town in North America.  The only thing different is the magic.  There is magic in this book that is looked upon as accepted in this town and totally normal.  This magic is woven into the structure of the character's lives. So, based on the description of Magical Realism, this one does fit this category. As I understand it, this book would be categorized as Fantasy if the world they lived in was an impossible one.

As I was looking up Magical Realism, I found two movies that I have watched that fit into that genre.  

Chocolat and The Green Mile.  I loved them both.  And yes, there was a touch of magic in both of them.  

Happy Reading, Everyone!

KathieyV

I would love to know what books you have read in the Magical Realism genre.  Did you like them?

Check out my YouTube post on this topic,