What is Magical Realism?

Too often I receive queries for science fiction or fantasy manuscripts because of my interest in magical realism. Magical (or magic) realism is not an umbrella term for speculative fiction. The genre is much more specific than the broad definitions of science fiction and fantasy. While elements of scifi or fantasy may be incorporated into the "magical" aspect of a magic realism story, a manuscript rooted in science fiction or fantasy traditions is not a magical realism novel.

Magical

In magical realism, the magic elements are a natural part of the world. The magic in the manuscript is often strange (it doesn't seem to fit in with the world as we know it), but it is accepted in the story. Excellent magic realism uses magic without making you think about it - the magic is seamlessly integrated with the real world.

Realism

Magical realism stories take place in a realistic setting. This usually means that the book is based in the "real world" rather than a fantasy land. Aside from the magical element, the plot is realistic and believable. The characters in magic realism stories are also very realistic and deal with everyday issues.

Magical realism is very much so an aesthetic style. There's a poetic nature to the prose. Not only is there a magical element in the plot, but there's also a magical element to the writing. The definition I like most to explain magical realism stories is: a literary genre in which realistic narrative is combined with surreal elements. This simple definition, taking into consideration the explanations of "magical" and "realism" above, are a good starting point when deciding if a story in fact belongs to this genre.

Even with this definition, everyone has his/her own opinion on what novels are considered magical realism or speculative fiction. There's a very fine line separating stories from magical realism and the realms of science fiction and fantasy. Some novels that can be considered magical realism are: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie, Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer, Big Fish by Daniel Wallace, Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan, The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht, and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

Share your magical realism book recommendations in the comments!