Magical realism

[havalina]

Sorry just read a thread about it, and have heard the term before, but what the hell is it?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_realism

Mostly what I understand about it comes from reading Angela Carter and Jeanette Winterson. They combine straightforward narrative with adapted fairy tales that are written with a slant meant to elucidate the story.

Actually, it originates in South American literature, and has been used more widely in recent years to cover writers like Angela Carter who used fable / fantasy.

gabriel garcia marquez.

I'd always taken it be authors like Isabel Allende, Laura Esquivel etc who mix the supernatural/fantastical with real situations.

The first 3 Louis De Bernieres novels are in this vein too. Dead soldiers coming back to life and all that malarky.

Ahh I see, thanks muchly.