RECOMMENDATIONS: Magical-realist Literature

        Recently, I have taken an interest in the magical-realist genre of fiction. This is a style of writing that offers a, mostly, realistic view of the world, with a magical twist. Frequently associated Latin-American authors, like Gabriel Garcia-Marquez (who gave us Cien Anos de Soledad), have approached magical concepts pragmatically, making magic tangible to us. Reading magical-realist literature is a magnificent experience, so I would like to share a few pieces to get you started in this genre.

De Amor y Otros Demonios (Of Love and Other Demons)- Gabriel Garcia-Marquez

     It is imperative that I recommend at least one Garcia-Marquez novel, because he was the leader of the Latin-American magical-realist movement that occurred in the mid-20th century. Aside from 100 Years of Solitude, which I'm sure most readers have heard of, he has produced several remarkable novels. This one, De Amor y Otros Demonios, is a fascinating depiction of a young daughter of a Marquis in early Spanish-colonized Colombia. Sierva Maria is a strange girl, believed to be possessed by demons, after surviving the bite of a rabid dog. Marquez-Garcia leaves us with a story of love and religion, cloaked with wonder.

Little Nothing- Marisa Silver

       This is a more recent, and absolutely beguiling, novel. Reminiscent of fairy tale stories, where the fictional heroin undergoes a physical transformation (ex. "The Little Mermaid"), this is the story of a young dwarf woman, Pavla, who undergoes multiple physical transformations. These transformations are all unexpected, from the reader's point of view, making this novel an exciting, emotional experience. Not as visceral as any other piece of "surrealist" art, Little Nothing, is a strangely relatable piece of magical-realist literature.

"The Infanta's Birthday"- Oscar Wilde




        This is a story from Wilde's anthology: House of Pomegranates, which gently explores the magical quality which often occurs in real-life- specifically, in nature. This is a story of the Infanta, a Spanish child-princess, and a dwarf-performer who becomes entranced with her beauty. Wilde's descriptions of nature here are exquisite, and illuminated with magic. There are a few adorable lines involving talking flowers, for instance. Wilde instills within a sense of wonder in our own image of the world.