Alright y’all, let’s talk a bit about the genre, Magical Realism. Unfamiliar? Think Jorge Luis Borges and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. And even if you still feel like you don’t know the genre, you’re probably more familiar than you think: it’s where a realistic world is presented to you but with the addition of small magical elements. This is different from fantasy, because the world feels like your world.
My thoughts on magical realism:
Let me sum this up pretty succinctly: I HATE IT.
I have yet to read a true magical realism book that I like (this one is the closest). I am super type-A, so my brain wants to be able to categorize everything I’m taking in to some designated box that makes sense for it.
When I read magical realism, it feels like your standard non-fantasy fiction, but then something magical happens and I’m left confused. My brain can’t reconcile the two. Is it fantasy or not? I can’t even describe how unpleasant it is for me. Every fantasy element that I’ll come across acts as a speed bump to my reading pace. I get way thrown off by it.
The other side of the magical realism coin is that they are often very bizarre. I hate in absurdity in books. And these novels often seem to be full of absurd things. NOPE.
So what does that all mean? I don’t intend to pick up Borges or Marquez any time soon. I tried reading Love in the Time of Cholera and I got maybe a chapter or two in and had to throw the book across the room it offended me so much by its genre confusion.
Do you like magical realism? What are some of your favorite books from the genre? Is there a genre you don’t like reading?
A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.
Em Lehrer
The only magical realism book I can remember reading is Song of Solomon (it was required for school). I really didn’t like it at all. My problems with it were pretty much the same as what you are saying: it felt like a non-fantasy fiction and then there would be these moments with fantasy-like qualities that just left me so confused. Were they supposed to be a metaphor for something? Were they supposed to make the book better in some way?
All I know is that I’m not a fan of the genre either.
Ali
It’s a tough genre. Some people love it (aka my husband), and some just don’t – like us 😀 Glad I’m not alone!
Emily Dub
Does The Historian fall into this category? It’s been quite a few years, and I am not entirely sure that’s the correct name, but it was a vampire book. I hated it real real bad. Mostly because I felt like it was way too long and poorly edited, and brought up random issues and tangents that never got resolved, didn’t move the story forward, and weren’t relevant. It was super popular and everyone loved it. I HATED IT!
However, I recently read some YA fiction The Apothecary (trilogy) and loved those books. And so have quite a few friends. I also loved The Airborn trilogy but that may be more steampunk? Also Leviathan? Again, maybe considered Steampunk. Those two series are my only experience with steampunk.
But I do understand the jarring feeling of hitting something in a book that you weren’t expecting, and then having to adjust to it being a different genre.
That’s not my fave.
Glad to know I can skip Cholera. I’ve never been that intriqued by it but it came heavily recommended by a friend so it’s been on my TBR list forever.
Ali
I think The Historian just falls under the fantasy genre, since vampires are an expected thing that in that world. I remember reading it, but I don’t remember ANYTHING about it, nor do I remember how I felt about it. I think the Airborn trilogy is also fantasy. There’s a weird fine line between magical realism and fantasy!
Rachel
I’ve been waiting for this post my whole life, lol, I HATE magical realism. I often feel like magical elements are incorporated to force a certain tone or atmosphere on the book that the author is unable to achieve in a more organic way… it’s possible to make a book seem whimsical or magical without people sprouting wings or whatever for no particular reason. I’m not a huge fan of fantasy either (for unrelated reasons) but at least fantasy follows its own set of logic to justify why things are different from our own world – I completely agree with you that the fusion of fantasy and reality that results in magical realism is deeply unpleasant and incongruous.
Ali
Rachel you said everything so much more eloquently than I did – yes, exactly what you just said!! You need to do a post of your own about then, and then I’ll just delete mine and refer them to yours XD Glad I’m not alone in this!!
Cora @ Tea Party Princess
It is something I like, but usually only if it’s subtle. Like in Lucas by Kevin Brooks it’s up to the reader to decide if it’s even there or not.
I think that unless it’s so subtle as to be a readers choice as to whether it’s there or not then it’s probably just contemporary fantasy.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
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Ali
I do think more subtle magical realism I can handle (unlike marquez’s!)
Casey @ caseydillabooks
Have you read AS King? I feel like Everybody Sees the Ants is more accessible than, like, Borges. I really like magical realism when it is used to kind of externally convey + make tangible the inner processes of the mind. Realism puts a lot of limits on what can be expressed, and fantasy isn’t generally super psychological (I think, i haven’t read a ton of it).
Ali
I agree about fantasy in general being less thoughtful in that regard. Honestly I’ve never looked at magical realism that way, so you make a good case for it. Maybe next time I’ll try King’s novel!
Amanda Sue
“A trickle of blood came out under the door, crossed the living room, went out into the street, continued on in a straight line across the uneven terraces, went down steps and climbed over curbs, passed along the Street of the Turks, turned a corner to the right and another to the left, made a right angle at the Buendía house, went in under the closed door, crossed through the parlor, hugging the walls so as not to stain the rugs, went on to the other living room, made a wide curve to avoid the dining-room table, went along the porch with the begonias, and passed without being seen under Amaranta’s chair as she gave an arithmetic lesson to Aureliano José, and went through the pantry and came out in the kitchen, where Úrsula was getting ready to crack thirty-six eggs to make bread.
“Holy Mother of God!” Úrsula shouted.”
The fact that that’s considered one of the quintessential moments of magical realism in literature completely scares me away from the entire genre. Cause that’s just not right…
Ali
YESS!! This is a perfect example of magical realism and just reading that was difficult for me, because I hate it SO MUCH!! It’s just so bizarre. And of course, my husband, who freaking loves magical realism laughed it the quote because he found it so enjoyable as I read it aloud to him (he loves Marquez). WEIRD.
Melissa's Midnight Musings
Ooh I’m the opposite, I love magical realism. But, I also love all things magical, and witch related, so that’s probably why. Have you ever read anything by Sarah Addison Allen? I’ve read a few of her books and enjoyed the magical realism elements in those.
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Ali
I haven’t! Is it better? I love magic and strict fantasy – but it’s when it’s in the context of magical realism that I hate it! XD