Concept
Magical Realism
Writing & Narrative
Arts, Music & MediaWhat is magical realism?
Magical realism is a literary style and narrative genre in which fantastical, dreamlike, or supernatural occurrences are presented in a straightforward, matter-of-fact manner alongside realistic everyday situations. It treats miraculous events as ordinary parts of reality, blurring the boundaries between objective observation and mythic imagination.
In short
Originating in 20th-century art criticism and blooming across Latin American literature through Gabriel García Márquez, magical realism later found unique expressions in global authors like Haruki Murakami. By framing supernatural phenomena with calm mundane detail, these narratives illuminate psychological truths, historical trauma, and existential isolation. The genre enriches storytelling by exposing the surreal mysteries woven into ordinary human experience.
Key facts
- What defining aesthetic marks magical realism?
- Surreal and impossible events are accepted by characters and the narrative voice as natural aspects of daily life.
- Which global author exemplifying surreal Japanese fiction is cited in Creative 6?
- Haruki Murakami, particularly his monumental surrealist novel 1Q84, which portrays two parallel moons and secret realities.
- What hypothetical scenario highlights 1Q84 in the interview?
- When asked what single book she would carry on an astronaut mission to Mars, Suelen Viana chooses Murakami's 1Q84 without hesitation.
Overview
Magical realism represents one of modern literature's most versatile and captivating narrative traditions. Unlike high fantasy worlds constructed with separate magical laws, magical realism anchors its uncanny occurrences within recognizable contemporary streets, domestic kitchens, and urban landscapes. Characters encounter ghosts, parallel realities, or inexplicable visions without histrionics, accepting them as legitimate facets of human existence. This nuanced juxtaposition creates poignant allegories for psychological distress, love, and existential yearning.
In the Agency editorial
In Creative 6, the conversation explores Suelen Viana's literary reading habits and favorite fiction authors. She recounts venturing into contemporary Japanese literature by reading Haruki Murakami's 1Q84, explaining that she continues to think about the book every single day. When the interviewer presents a hypothetical scenario about sending an astronaut to Mars with only one literary work, Viana selects 1Q84 as one of the greatest novels she has ever read.
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Also from these editions: concepts
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Sources
- Creative.6 - Suelen Viana (opens in a new tab), Agency Brasil