I like both your and Rushdie’s explanations. I seem to need magical realism explained many times. Am finding that I like magical realism most of the time, but I don’t like fantasy. (I know, I know, I’ve changed my tune…isn’t that wonderful? : ) Thanks for the help!

Debbie wrote: "I like both your and Rushdie’s explanations. I seem to need magical realism explained many times. Am finding that I like magical realism most of the time, but I don’t like fantasy. (I know, I know, I’ve changed my tune…isn’t that wonderful? : ) Thanks for the help! ..."

Thank you, Debbie. I really appreciate you taking the time to read this post. : )
And I don't particularly like fantasy either!

Very well put, Kevin!
"...storylines should speak to the reader's soul." - I like this, and it is something you do magnificently in each of your books!

Kimber wrote: "Very well put, Kevin!
"...storylines should speak to the reader's soul." - I like this, and it is something you do magnificently in each of your books!"

Thank you so much, Kimber!
I really appreciate you saying so! : )

Great explanation Kevvy, but who in the world is this Rushdie character??????

Neale wrote: "Great explanation Kevvy, but who in the world is this Rushdie character??????"

I agree, Neale! He's nowhere near as famous as I. ; )

Thank you, Possum!

I’ve been educated on so many new umbrella genres (and their sub-genres) since joining the GRs community – chick lit, horror erotica, speculative fiction, postpartum horror, western gothic, hopepunk (still unsure on that one), metatextual mystery (what?), paranormal romance, speculative fiction, CLI-FI (thanks to climate science), folk horror (how quaint), foodie romance (is that a fancy name for a cookbook?) and now, thanks to Mr Ansbro, MAGICAL REALISM.
The genre-world is my oyster, unless I’ve left my run too late?

Colin wrote: "I’ve been educated on so many new umbrella genres (and their sub-genres) since joining the GRs community ... ... and now, thanks to Mr Ansbro, MAGICAL REALISM.
The genre-world is my oyster, unless I’ve left my run too late?..."

Never too late, Colin... : )
And thank you for reading my post. The general misunderstanding that people have about magical realism is so frustrating: the clue is in the title!

Kevin wrote: "Colin wrote: "I’ve been educated on so many new umbrella genres (and their sub-genres) since joining the GRs community ... ... and now, thanks to Mr Ansbro, MAGICAL REALISM.
The genre-world is my o..."

Oh, don't worry, Kevin, I'm looking forward to learning all about it with 'Kinnara', soon! CB

I always thought of it as being reactionary to various absurdities that run contrary to human decency or morality, like corruption or war. In this alternate reality, you're free to criticize, mock, or skewer the powers that be.

Stefani wrote: "I always thought of it as being reactionary to various absurdities that run contrary to human decency or morality, like corruption or war. In this alternate reality, you're free to criticize, mock, or skewer the powers that be...."

Absolutely right, Stefani. And Gabriel García Márquez loved to do just that.
Thank you for your comment!

Loved your definition, Kevin :)) I don't think I'd paid much attention to MR before I joined GR, but now I'm all for it :)

Beata wrote: "Loved your definition, Kevin :)) I don't think I'd paid much attention to MR before I joined GR, but now I'm all for it :)"

Thank you so much, Beata! Please send some of that magical realism love my way if you ever hit a book slump. : )

Having recognised my own misassumptions in this regard, I cannot
but state that this post of yours, Kevin, is a very good contribution to a readers’ community like Goodreads.

This line —>”as if these anomalies have every right to be there.<——-is perfect!

: )


I agree with Neale, I have no clue who this Rushdie person is! S…R…. Hmmm!

Nilanjana wrote: "This line —>”as if these anomalies have every right to be there.<——-is perfect!
..."

Thank you, Nilanjana! I appreciate that.

I agree with Neale, I have no clue who this Rushdie person is! S…R…. Hmmm!
His name does sound familiar...
: )

Kevin wrote: "Nilanjana wrote: "This line —>”as if these anomalies have every right to be there.<——-is perfect!
..."

Thank you, Nilanjana! I appreciate that.

I agree with Neale, I have no clue who this Rushdi..."

Also, the more I learn what magical realism is, the more I love it!

Nilanjana wrote: "Also, the more I learn what magical realism is, the more I love it..."


: )

I agree wholeheartedly with both of you but I would add very few do it well !

Another wonderful post dear Kevin and both you and Mr Rushdie resonant with what I have come to think of Magical realism, a book genre I really love.

(and my my! You look very handsome in your photo!) :)

That's a really good way of differentiating between the two. I do love both though. Funny, but when I am reading fantasy I expect the magical, fantasy and mythical elements and even the darn right bonkers and don't question it. When I am reading magical realism, I have to sometimes remind myself that this is deliberating stretching my normal thought process and concept of what is normal. Normally speaking that is😅

Jaidee wrote: "I agree wholeheartedly with both of you but I would add very few do it well !"

Thank you, Jaidee!
I shall pass on your regards to Sir Salman as he convalesces.

Marialyce (absltmom, yaya) wrote: "Another wonderful post dear Kevin and both you and Mr Rushdie resonant with what I have come to think of Magical realism, a book genre I really love.

(and my my! You look very handsome in your photo!..."

Thank you, Marvelous Marialyce! You are so very kind! x

Margaret M wrote: "That's a really good way of differentiating between the two. I do love both though. Funny, but when I am reading fantasy I expect the magical, fantasy and mythical elements and even the darn right bonkers and don't question it. When I am reading magical realism, I have to sometimes remind myself that this is deliberating stretching my normal thought process and concept of what is normal. Normally speaking that is
..."

And your comment makes perfect sense, Margaret!
Readers do expect otherworldliness in a fantasy story, but when they dive into a magical realism novel, they become used to the realness of it and then all of a sudden it's, what the HECK has just happened here?
; )

Kevin, this is a wonderful bIog. I second the comments written here. You and Salman make a great team.
Debbie, I had the same problem as you; this makes it easier to define.

Stacey B wrote: "Kevin, this is a wonderful bIog. I second the comments written here. You and Salman make a great team.
Debbie, I had the same problem as you; this makes it easier to define."

Thank you, Stacey!
I really appreciate your kind words. : )

Jaidee wrote: "I agree wholeheartedly with both of you but I would add very few do it well !"

Jaidee, I am yet to discover this glitch in the writing community. But what I am noticing more often these days is that many readers REALLY have NO clue as to what magical realism is!

😳

I just began reading a book that is 100% fantasy but a specific reader (whose profile stated that she loves magical realism) had reviewed this book placing in the MG category!

This post by Kevin is priceless!

Nilanjana wrote: "Jaidee, I am yet to discover this glitch in the writing community. But what I am noticing more often these days is that many readers REALLY have NO clue as to what magical realism is!..."

I must agree with you, Nilanjana.
I breathe a little sigh when some readers confuse magical realism with fantasy. Yes, there's a fantastical inclination to every magical realism novel, but they are all rooted in the harshness and the mundanity of our real world.

Kevin wrote: "Nilanjana wrote: "Jaidee, I am yet to discover this glitch in the writing community. But what I am noticing more often these days is that many readers REALLY have NO clue as to what magical realism..."

True that, Kevin!
I wish that more readers come across this post! Otherwise works of magical-realism authors around will be misjudged! : ( (Years of hardwork, imagine!)

“I breathe a little sigh” is a good phrase, by the way!

Nilanjana wrote: "True that, Kevin!
I wish that more readers come across this post! Otherwise works of magical-realism authors around will be misjudged! : ( (Years of hardwork, imagine!)..."

Thank you for your kind words, Nilanjana!

You are welcome, as always, Kevin!

Nilanjana wrote: "You are welcome, as always, Kevin!"

Thank you!

Kevin, this is not a comment but a post on your adulation. I admire the way you draw parallels and similarities between books. You are extremely well-read. I learn a lot from your zeal and avidity for writing and passion for books. I went through one of your books, and must say the world should get ready to welcome a magically realistic author, Kevin!

Meghna wrote: "Kevin, this is not a comment but a post on your adulation. I admire the way you draw parallels and similarities between books. You are extremely well-read. I learn a lot from your zeal and avidity for writing and passion for books. I went through one of your books, and must say the world should get ready to welcome a magically realistic author, Kevin!..."


Such a generous comment, Meghna. I really appreciate your kind words. : )