My own love for magical realism began in high school, where I had to read 'The Coming of Joachim Stiller' by Hubert Lampo, which is still one of my favorite books up to today. Seems sometimes these school literature lists are useful after all 😂
Talking about Japanese Magical realism genre I think Makoto Shinkai's works qualify too, I recently read his She and Her Cat (the Book not the manga), and ofc I feel Kimi no na wa is one of the greatest story told to my generation.
I've read some Kafka but wasn't aware that's considered Magical Realism ... I've to add Before the Coffee gets Cold to my wishlist now ... YOU, good sir, are an aweful influence on my ever growing pile of books. (Just kidding. Keep the recommendations coming)
@@cafeaulivre The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, with some Marconi Union music to help me enter the magical realm :D and I just reordered it since I lost my copy a long time ago, so thanks for the link :)
Great review. Murakamis Wind-up ... chronicles will be the next book I intend to read. I personally enjoyed the horrors and the beauty of "The Labyrinth of the Faun" as Guillermo del Toro's movie very much and hope that the book is even better. But unfortunately it's still on my TBR pile.
I have read one magical realist book, The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki, abt a Japanese-American boy who randomly starts hearing inanimate objects speak. Although I am currently reading Beloved by Toni Morrison which is mainly abt a mother, Sethe, and her daughter, Denver, who live in a house haunted by Sethes dead baby who died before she could name her and only has Beloved on her grave, so she’s referred to as Beloved. Beloved randomly comes back as a 19 year old, and Sethe also reckons with her past as a slave
Ah, thanks for this. Magic realism is one of my favourite genres. In Australia there's an absolute classic example called 'Cloudstreet' by Tim Winton, but yes, I love all the Japanese examples you cover also. Have you read Salman Rushdie's contributions to the tradition? Magic realism is such an astounding & surprising genre.
I was surprised when looking at a lot of people's favorite fantasy novels, because they don't include magical realism. I guess it's generally considered more literary than genre... but I *love* so many books that are (or could be considered) magical realism. Like Water for Chocolate and Sexing the Cherry are among my favorite books. But there are authors who really fall in the cracks between fantasy and magical realism and who, despite getting critical recognition, are largely overlooked today. Specifically, John Crowley and Tim Powers, but Octavia Butler (especially Kindred), to an extent as well.
I would say the main difference is the setting: surrealism often have a strange, almost dreamlike world (think of a Dali painting), while magical realism is set in our own, everyday world (but adds magical/fantastical elements to it).
My own love for magical realism began in high school, where I had to read 'The Coming of Joachim Stiller' by Hubert Lampo, which is still one of my favorite books up to today. Seems sometimes these school literature lists are useful after all 😂
Talking about Japanese Magical realism genre I think Makoto Shinkai's works qualify too, I recently read his She and Her Cat (the Book not the manga), and ofc I feel Kimi no na wa is one of the greatest story told to my generation.
Some excellent recommendations there!
I've read some Kafka but wasn't aware that's considered Magical Realism ... I've to add Before the Coffee gets Cold to my wishlist now ...
YOU, good sir, are an aweful influence on my ever growing pile of books.
(Just kidding. Keep the recommendations coming)
My job here is done 🤣
Very informative, beautiful, and excellent video! You reminded me of a couple of titles that I should read again! :D
Thank you…which will you be rereading?
@@cafeaulivre The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, with some Marconi Union music to help me enter the magical realm :D and I just reordered it since I lost my copy a long time ago, so thanks for the link :)
The wife says hi btw, she loved the video, and of course she could't leave before subscribing
@@JafarQasim Sounds like an excellent playlist! My pleasure.
I read "Like Water For Chocolate" in the original Spanish. It's the only magical realism novel that I've read cover to cover.
Such a great book. It has a film adaptation as well, if I’m not mistaken , but I havn’t seen it yet.
@@cafeaulivre I personally didn't like the film. The novel's great though.
Great review. Murakamis Wind-up ... chronicles will be the next book I intend to read.
I personally enjoyed the horrors and the beauty of "The Labyrinth of the Faun" as Guillermo del Toro's movie very much and hope that the book is even better. But unfortunately it's still on my TBR pile.
I’ve seen the movie but never read the book actually
I have read one magical realist book, The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki, abt a Japanese-American boy who randomly starts hearing inanimate objects speak. Although I am currently reading Beloved by Toni Morrison which is mainly abt a mother, Sethe, and her daughter, Denver, who live in a house haunted by Sethes dead baby who died before she could name her and only has Beloved on her grave, so she’s referred to as Beloved. Beloved randomly comes back as a 19 year old, and Sethe also reckons with her past as a slave
Beloved is a great book! Havn’t read The Book of Form and Emptiness yet…did you like it?
Midnight's children, the Moor's last sigh and One hundred years of solitude are the best work in magical realism, Period.
Ah, thanks for this. Magic realism is one of my favourite genres. In Australia there's an absolute classic example called 'Cloudstreet' by Tim Winton, but yes, I love all the Japanese examples you cover also. Have you read Salman Rushdie's contributions to the tradition? Magic realism is such an astounding & surprising genre.
I definitely must pick up Cloudstreet then, don’t think I ever heard of it before on this side of the pond. Thanks for the recommendation!
such an interesting video!!! i look forward to reading all the cat books! 🐈⬛😻
You are going to love The Cat Who Saved Books 😊
First time seeing a video -- I have already all books 😉was searching for new books lol 😮
Luckily I have more videos 😉
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is a great magical realism book.
Oh, I agree, such a beautiful (and sad) book
I was surprised when looking at a lot of people's favorite fantasy novels, because they don't include magical realism. I guess it's generally considered more literary than genre... but I *love* so many books that are (or could be considered) magical realism.
Like Water for Chocolate and Sexing the Cherry are among my favorite books.
But there are authors who really fall in the cracks between fantasy and magical realism and who, despite getting critical recognition, are largely overlooked today. Specifically, John Crowley and Tim Powers, but Octavia Butler (especially Kindred), to an extent as well.
I honestly don’t see magical realism as a subgenre of fantasy either, it’s a genuine genre in its’ own right, as far as I’m concerned.
Bellefleur by Joyce Carol Oates is a terrific example of magical realism, as is her next novel, A Bloodsmoor Romance.
I’ll have a look at those. Thanks!
What is the difference between surrealism and magical realism?
I would say the main difference is the setting: surrealism often have a strange, almost dreamlike world (think of a Dali painting), while magical realism is set in our own, everyday world (but adds magical/fantastical elements to it).
@@cafeaulivre thanks! 👌🏻
Tiger the tabby come pops up😺 cute❤️
Ummm... are you sure that's your Goodreads link?
You can find my Goodreads link at the top of my channel homepage