What is magical realism? Characteristics and prominent authors

Explore the essence of magical realism, its origins, key features and prominent authors.

Magical realism is a fascinating literary style that combines magical elements with everyday reality. Through this unique combination, it creates a rich and complex narrative that invites readers to explore new perceptions of reality. In this article, we will delve into what exactly magical realism is, when it emerged, its distinctive characteristics and the most prominent authors who have contributed to this genre.

What exactly is magical realism?

Magical realism is a literary genre that integrates magical elements into a realistic setting. Unlike fantasy, where the magical is clearly separated from the real world, in magical realism, magical elements are presented as a natural part of everyday life. Characters accept the extraordinary without question, which allows for a deeper exploration of themes such as perception, reality and culture.

When did magical realism emerge?

Magical realism emerged in the 20th century, especially in Latin America, during the 1940s and 1950s. The term was first used by the German art critic Franz Roh in 1925[/b] to describe a trend in painting. However, it was the Cuban writer Alejo Carpentier who popularised the term in a literary context with his foreword to The Kingdom of This World in 1949. During the 1960s and 1970s, magical realism established itself as a predominant literary style thanks to the rise of Latin American literature.

Characteristics of magical realism

- Integration of magical and realistic elements: magical elements are presented in a natural way within the realistic setting, without surprising the characters.

- Sense of mystery and enigma: narratives often have an enigmatic tone, with unexplained events accepted as natural.

- Detailed and sensory descriptions: the use of vivid and detailed descriptions enriches the reader's perception and creates an immersive atmosphere.

- Multiplicity of perspectives: narrative often incorporates a variety of voices and points of view, providing a deeper and more diverse understanding of reality.

- Exploration of identity and history: Themes of cultural identity and history, especially in the Latin American context, are common in works of magical realism.

Prominent authors of magical realism

- Gabriel García Márquez: With his One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967), García Márquez became one of the leading exponents of magical realism. His stories masterfully combine magical and everyday elements.

- Isabel Allende: Her novel The House of the Spirits (1982) is an emblematic example of magical realism, where extraordinary events are intertwined with the family and political history of Chile.

- Julio Cortázar: although his works are often associated with fantastic realism, stories such as La noche boca arriba show characteristics of magical realism with its mixture of the everyday and the supernatural.

- Alejo Carpentier: In The Kingdom of This World (1949), Carpentier explores the history of Haiti through a narrative that integrates the magical and the historical, cementing his place among the authors of magical realism.

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