What is Magical Realism?
In terms people can understand, I’d like to address the definition of magical realism. After recently discovering the phrase, I realized there was an entire genre of writing that I hadn’t even discovered yet.
This genre is fascinating. It takes real life and turns it upside-down, adding fantastical elements that are too strange to believe.
But they become believable because the author paints a realistic picture of them.
Often dubbed as fantasy, this genre definitely is NOT. It’s considered a subgenre, yes, but the characteristics of magical realism are different in the following ways:
- Magical realism is based in reality
- Magic is incorporated into everyday life
- Characters are normal people
- Magical realism twists the reader’s sense of reality
- Fantasy creates a new reality and is therefore not the same
- The conflict of the story is greater than the magic
- The magic is not considered magic, but a new normal
- Has multiple planes of reality, often hybrid
- Has a story within a story
- Encourages readers to let go of normal linear time-structures
- Has a huge element of mystery
- Often represents a character going through difficulty
- Magical yet realistic feeling in the setting
- Let’s readers find the magic on their own
- It’s not about imaginary things but mysterious ways
Magical Realism Examples
When I think of magical realism stories, I often think in terms of film. Whether you watch it or read it, it’s still storytelling.
For me, I think of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as being a prime example of a magical realism story. It’s a story about a man who ages backward resulting in some strange consequences.
This particular movie is based in reality, fitting the magical realism genre quite nicely. It bends reality and creates a new normal, one of the main components of magical realism stories.
We all know we can’t age backwards, yet, in this story, it becomes believable because it destroys normal linear time-structures and twists the reader’s sense of reality.
Another example of a magical realism story is the movie Field of Dreams. The setting is normal and tells a story about a regular corn farmer who hears voices.
Normally, hearing voices would be considered strange, but in this story, strange becomes believable. The author bends reality in such a way, that it becomes normal and totally believable. That’s magical realism.
Finally, my last example of magical realism is The Wizard of Oz. At first glance, one would think it’s just a fantasy. But it actually has all the characteristics of magical realism.
Dorothy comes from a realistic place, set in reality on a farm in Kansas. Something strange happens to her when she’s swept away by a tornado into a magical land.
It’s all based in reality, and the magic part of it isn’t the main focus of the story. That fits perfectly with magical realism. We are persuaded to come along on a fantastical journey based in reality that twists our sense of real-life.
The journey is the main focus, and embarks on the mysteries of humanity instead of the magical elements of the story.
Just like all magical realism stories, there is a bigger picture. It’s not about imaginary things, but the mysterious ways of human nature, revealing a type of hidden magic about the more important things in life.
The multiple planes of reality, often hybrid in nature, focus on the importance of the story being told rather than the magical elements presented to us. That element impacts the characters in a real-life way and tells a story behind the story.
That’s magical realism.
Magical Realism Authors
There are many magical realism authors, like Toni Morrison, Isabel Allende, Leslye Walton, Erin Morgenstern, and Neil Gaiman. All of them are extraordinary authors, but Gabriel García Márquez, who wrote, One Hundred Years of Solitude, is considered one of the fathers of the genre.
However, when it comes to reading magical realism fiction, whether that be short stories, flash fiction, or modern magical realism literature, the obvious novels are always suggested first.
Highly publicized authors both living and deceased, are pushed to the forefront by major publishing houses, leaving little to no room for new up-and-coming authors of the genre, or hidden gems so-to-speak that get overlooked by the masses.
Let’s take a look at some hidden gems.
9 Best Overlooked Magical Realism Books
1. AOPATO
Available on Amazon
What if you weren’t who you thought you were? What if your DNA carried a lost race just waiting to rally its people? The invisible ones are here, waiting in the shadows for opportunity to open the mind. A tiny sphere, a knock in the forehead, and the forgotten people awaken to their species - THE AOPATO PEOPLE. (Book 1 Aopato Chronicles)
SYNOPSIS
Sonia appears to be a typical grandmother at seventy-five. She thinks her worst fears have been realized when she is forced to move into a city senior complex.
She has always felt she was different. When a tiny sphere appears out of empty space, informs her she belongs to a lost race, she is not surprised. As the device knocks her in the forehead, a whole new reality opens up, and Sonia finds herself responsible not only for the welfare of dysfunctional family, but also holding the lives of a rag-tag inter-racial band of survivors. She calls these the invisible ones: Aopato (Ah-or-atos in Greek).
Sonia’s life goal will forever be the safety and happiness of those in her care. Why should it be any different now?
But there are those who oppose her, believing she has neither the skills or qualifications to carry out her function. Add to a contentious daughter and jealous brothers is the fact that the species has a natural vicious predator intent on eliminating all of their kind.
How could agape love be sufficient to conquer such hurtles? Will this struggling new remnant die at its birth?
2. REMEDY
Available on Amazon
What if you weren’t who you thought you were? What if your DNA carried a lost race just waiting to rally its people? The invisible ones are here, waiting in the shadows for opportunity to open the mind. A tiny sphere, a knock in the forehead, and the forgotten people awaken to their species - THE AOPATO PEOPLE. (Book 2 Aopato Chronicles)
SYNOPSIS
For the better part of her working career Ziva had been behind a monitor yet now that she is about to retire, her employer wants her to go out into the field. It isn’t enough to simply rock her comfort zone, but they have paired her with an obnoxious, manipulative operative with an agenda of her own.
Ziva and Darla are not the only two answering the unconventional add, but they are inadvertently among the ten chosen as acceptable.
Crystal meets her match as she is pearched precariously over a river wall; Jenna is a penniless pauper, and Angel has just been evicted. Karine and May Lin live on the streets, while Carmen has spent some time in a mental institution. Then we have Chantel a paraplegic ex-military cook; Morgan is a disgraced cop. Their suitability is even more in question when you realize their ages range from twenty-five to eighty.
What are the ‘Aopato’ up to now? Are these women really only companions for the females? Is there an ulterior motive behind the choosing, or is the international spy agency right: these are the vangard;potential terrorists? Perhaps this effort is simply one of compassion toward the less fortunate?
As Sonia and her guardians assist others are they harming their own? Will love conquer once again, or will this be the end of the invisible people?
3. TURN BACK
Available on Amazon
What if you weren’t who you thought you were? What if your DNA carried a lost race just waiting to rally its people? The invisible ones are here, waiting in the shadows for opportunity to open the mind. A tiny sphere, a knock in the forehead, and the forgotten people awaken to their species - THE AOPATO PEOPLE. (Book 3 Aopato Chronicles)
SYNOPSIS
Remember the ‘Opposite’ Yt? Whatever became of him, and just what did Sonia see in his future?
Kali has lost her memory. Ty prefers to forget, yet diligently protects her. Amadeus sacrifices all. What has destiny in store for Jamara? For that matter, who are they, and what do their lives have to do with the fragile old lady who invades their home?
Ram, a mere teen in the Aopato world, has been in captivity for three years. What negative attitudes and emotions does he now carry? And, will he ever heal back from them?
Will Kara recover the records she has lost? Or will guilt overwhelm her? Can the Aopato heal its broken from the damage wrought by another species? Are their lives in the balance once more, and what is this, new life forming?
Sanctuary has been on ‘Keeper’ maintenance, but those who set up residence nearby, prosper. Perhaps it is time to give the reigns to another?
Be surprised once again by the conclusion of it all.
4. GENTLE BEAST
Available on Amazon
They steal people; farm them in the bowels of the earth like cattle, leaving little hope for humanity to survive. Against the odds, Althea fights to stay alive, and in the process, finds an undesirable named Loki to help her before it's too late. (BOOK 1 Noor Chronicles)
SYNOPSIS
Picture human life with no more value than domestic cattle. Then imagine finding your life partner in that setting. This story has two main characters. The first is Loki, a non-human healer. He’s made the mistake of his life, and now must pay, unjustly sentenced to prison for protecting the honor of his sister. Out in the universe where Loki comes from, he is viewed as an undesirable. He belongs to a misunderstood species, an outcast forbidden to take a mate. Also, a one-of-a-kind being, he is so rare he is feared by most, and revered by others. When Loki joins prison life, he expects it to be cruel, his freedom curtailed, but he is totally unprepared for the sideline enterprise the warden inside has established. Our second character is Althea. She is an average human woman struggling to make ends meet in today’s society, living alone, neglected by family, who consider their own problems more important than maintaining relationships. When Althea makes a mistake that has unexpected results, she is thrown into Loki’s ugly new prison world. As her children follow suit with bad judgment of their own, the results impact all in most unusual ways. Reader be forewarned: this is not a story for the faint of heart. It was written to mirror attitudes you may not enjoy. It is in memory of the countless little lives lost each year in our world.
5. SOUL SAVER
Available on Amazon
They steal people; farm them in the bowels of the earth like cattle, leaving little hope for humanity to survive. Against the odds, they fight to stay alive. They are the Noor people. (BOOK 2 Noor Chronicles)
SYNOPSIS
Tusha has come away from Bom’s prison considerably emotionally scared. She refuses to even be called by the treasured name Loki gave her, choosing instead to be called Susan.
Her view of males now is that they are predatory, especially those of Noor blood. She has more or less become a man hater, and shows it in her attitude toward Liam, the mind-male of the junction pair, when she meets him. However, as she returns to the underground prison, she finds Liam a captive in Bom’s torture room, and though she is reluctant, she cannot abandon him.
Throw into this mix a contentious human man, and the interaction gets decidedly testy. Even after a shocking healing incident helps the two Noor get closer, Susa still struggles with her lack of forgiveness, and harbors an animosity toward Loki, the Physical who abandoned her.
Left behind on Dia’s med ship, Loki too is suffering for his choices. As well, there seems to be a deadly connection to his mental half, with which he must cope. To this point, only Uel has an inkling of what really ails the huge Instant Healer, for Loki has refused to let him disclose what went on in the prison.
In order to enjoy this second book in the Noor series, I suggest you first read book I, Gentle Beast.
6. HEALER NEST
Available on Amazon
They steal people; farm them in the bowels of the earth like cattle, leaving little hope for humanity to survive. Against the odds, they fight to stay alive. They are the Noor people. (BOOK 3 Noor Chronicles)
SYNOPSIS
Left to die in the freezing, underground tunnels of an abandoned moon base, grievously injured, chained and fettered to the walls, how are the Noor to survive? And if they somehow break free, is there a way out? When they find, Bom has destroyed the jump portal, and imploded the huge bay doors, from which the last huge ships escaped into space, it appears there is no way out.
Will Bom go unpunished for his many dastardly deeds? Will he forever plague the civilized universe? And what of the humans left on the dying Forbidden Planet? Are they to remain as mere cattle to feed the voracious appetites of the Roog, or will someone take pity and rescue them?
Be both shocked, and thrilled at how the frail Noor leader deals with the situation, and her enemies in this third book of the Noor series.
7. MONSTERS AMONG US
Available on Amazon
What if you were told you have a fatal disease, and it was all a cover up for something more sinister? What if someone planned to make you into something entirely different from how you were born? What if our medical system was infiltrated by those who twist the truth to meet their own needs? Gemma is just a young bride when she loses her husband suddenly. Ten years later, she is told she has a tumor; they are treating it as Cancer...but is it? Why was Gemma chosen from among thousands? Why is her DNA being altered? And to what length will these predators go? Now, enter a foreign world very different from any other; experience the changes and trials ahead with Gemma, and her new friend Lydia. Meet those born in captivity...Loni, and...Da; Galar...and Scar. Be frozen with terror as they meet the final challenge before they can break free. (Book 1 Deception Series)
8. FIRE AND ICE
Available on Amazon
When Brad first arrived in Azure Blue, he thought Loni, Scar, and the two women were all he had to contend with. The six tiny children were simply too young to be a danger to anyone. Fact was, he thought, they needed looking after, rather than being a threat. Trumack, the Special Op's leader, made the same mistake... But, Trumack decided to conquer, manipulate, and eliminate...discovering a weapon, he could not control. Brad accepted the children, and found support, in the process, learning some amazing facts about them. The mommas had been stolen from Earth; the young ones born on that unusual planet. Because of the Overseer's experiments, each child possessed powers, some yet untried, until... Earth sent the soldiers. When these vengeful men go after the elders who look after them, how will the children survive? How do they cope? A rag-tag mixture of races: a little black boy, who sees more than others; an Asian with control over animals; Storm, who can manipulate the weather; and E-ri and Thea, of an alien blue-skinned race, able to teleport, among other things...but that's only the beginning of their talents. Wait until the girls join forces, or try using all seven in a group... Prepare for a wild ride, as they discover themselves, and...well, enjoy the surprise ending... (Book 2 Deception Series)
9. ULTIMATE RECKONING
Available on Amazon
They were chased through the portal into the Earth world, by soldiers bent on destroying them; only to find that planet as unfriendly as the humans behind them. They were mere children, different; in the eyes of either world, especially those who hunted them, unfit to remain in existence. Instead of finding succor in this new world, they found that the Overseers of their past world had entrenched themselves in Earth society, were changing it, not for the better, but using it to propagate their own race, and eradicate the many cultures of Earth. With enemies behind, who had followed them through, and enemies infiltrated among the inhabitants of their new world, what are they to do? Especially, since they have somehow, become separated from their caregivers. How does this new world with its multi-cultures, and many faults, its beauty, idiosyncrasies, even ugliness, look to alien eyes? And how will they react to the various situations? A bird-boy among the refugees; invisible ice-skinned inquisitives with a moral judgement of their own, to a young girl of eleven forced into sensual slavery, when she has never before known the intimacy of a man. What are they to think, when the worst of society gets to them first? Can we blame them for their reaction...or the results? (Book 3 Deception Series)
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Author Kathleen Morris
Kathleen Morris is a successful published author, blogger, and YouTuber. She enjoys writing about things she’s passionate about and making a difference in the world