Why Are Magical Realist Novels So Different?

Magical Realism is a very unique genre thatRealism," but Kafka's works fit, especially
introduces elements of the mythological anddepending on interpretation
fantastical into conventional literary settings. This5. "Nights at the Circus" by Angela Carter
unusual blending creates a genre that is loved by6. "Immortality" by Milan Kundera
many readers, writers, and academics, and also7. "La Casa de los Espiritus" (The House of Spirits)
hated by many of the same.by Isabel Allende
One thing about magical realist literature is that8. "Chronicle of a Death Foretold" by Gabriel
the style and voice varies greatly from work toGarcia Marquez
work depending on what part of the world the9. "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen
magical realist novel is from.10. "Electric Jesus Corpse" by Carlton Mellick III
One aspect of magical realism is that the "magic"11. "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the
or mythological part of this genre comes fromWorld: A Novel" by Haruki Murakami
the author's background and culture. This is why aThis is a great list that provides more than
novel of this genre from Latin America will read,enough examples of magical realism literature for
sound, and feel completely different from anany reader to decide whether or not this is a
Australian Magical Realism story.genre they're going to enjoy.
Because of this, there is a lot of variety withinReading a great variety is very important,
the genre that is broadly labeled "magical realism."because you may find that you don't like magical
The following is a list of some of the mostrealism from Latin American authors and
popular and famous books in this style ofinfluences, but you love the genre from the
literature, and should offer a buffet style varietyCzech or Australian perspective.
of what the genre has to offer.Magical realism in some ways is a controversial
1. "Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdiegenre, but enough of the novels have made the
(Indian-British)"canon" of classic literature to assure that it's not
2. "Illywhacker" by Peter Carey (Australia)going away.
3. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by GabrielSome readers love these books, others hate
Garcia Marquez, (Colombia). This is probably thethem, but one thing is for sure: there's no other
most famous example of magical realism ever.style of writing that matches the strangeness of
4. "Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka (Czech) thiswhat magical realism accomplishes.
book was written before the term "Magical