May 2026 - Magical Realism > Likes and Comments

The genre for May is Magical Realism.

According to Penguin:
Magical realism brings fantastical elements to realistic, often humdrum, worlds and social structures, serving as a metaphor and a vehicle for underscoring their absurdity.

Famous authors within the genre include: Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende, Salman Rushdie, Haruki Murakami, and Toni Morrison.

I'm excited about this one. Over the years, I've enjoyed many Magical Realist novels, including: The Memory Police, Beloved, The Magic Toyshop, Sourdough & The Mermaid of Black Conch.

This time around, I'm going to read Kindred by Octavia Butler and if I have time, I'd like to try Perdido Street Station by China Mieville.

What would you recommend and what will you be reading?

John Crowley's Little, Big. Gorgeous language, heartbreaking story, fairy stories-within-stories that echo the structure of the central object in the book.

George wrote: "John Crowley's Little, Big. Gorgeous language, heartbreaking story, fairy stories-within-stories that echo the structure of the central object in the book."

Ooh, yes! That one's on my to read list. Thanks for the recommendation.

Please give me some examples of this genre as I'm lost. Thanks 😊

It's ok I've seen that weyward is magical realism and i have it on the shelf.

Im going yo go with Vigil by George Saunders

I also recommend a Turkish female author , Latife Tekin. Her book “Dear Shameless Death” is translated in English. I read that book quite late myself and it has been a great loss to me for reading so late.
I was mesmerised by the characters depicted and its deep-rooted belief system of mixture reality, religion and superstitions. It was a fascinating experience. I would love to hear from other people how they perceive the book when they read it.

Treasures of the Lochs
If it's okay, I'll recommend my magical realism novel, Treasures of the Lochs. This is suspenseful YA Christian fiction, involving a modern-day treasure hunt in Scotland, with a bit of supernatural thrown in. Blending historical fact and Scottish legend within an action-packed adventure, Treasures of the Lochs is a powerful story of faith, friendship, and redemption. The target audience is teenage and above (some parts would be too intense for younger readers). This book is a 2024 NIEA Finalist in Religion Fiction. It also hit Amazon#1 New Release for Christian Fantasy. I hope you’ll check it out.

Barbara Comyns The Vet's Daughter for me … Comyns, whose books I love, is generally more gothic/macabre than magic but I’m told this one definitely qualifies as magic realism.

George wrote: "John Crowley's Little, Big. Gorgeous language, heartbreaking story, fairy stories-within-stories that echo the structure of the central object in the book."

I've changed my mind and have got a copy of Little, Big from the library. Starting today :)

I've realised we are over half way through the month and I haven't picked my book yet!
I have two to choose from:
The Story Collector and Madame Burova
Not sure which one to go for...

I'm enjoying 'Little, Big' so far. It's a doorstop and the story is convoluted, but I'm becoming invested in the world and relishing the richly descriptive writing.

I’ve realised this month how much I enjoy magical realism. I’ve read A Short Stay in Hell, Vigil and The Phoenix Pencil Company — all very different books, but each explore deep emotional themes.

Glad you've had a good time this month, Susie - I enjoy Magical Realism too!

I'm a bit behind but just finished Madame Burova which I really enjoyed.