Lose Yourself in 9 Mesmerizing Contemporary Magical Realism Books
Book RaiderIs there anything more memorable than the first time you encounter the fantastical charm of a magical realism book? There's a certain sparkle you get when you delve into that world where the impossible meets the everyday - it's like eating pizza in bed sans the guilt or a candle that smells like a childhood summer.
As bookworms, we crave for stories that whisk us away to extraordinary universes, while still allowing us to lounge in our pajamas and woolen socks. So if you're keen to escape the mundanity of reality but aren't quite ready to hitch a ride on a spaceship or fend off fire-breathing dragons, then this cavalcade of contemporary magical realism books is designed to captivate your senses and leave you spellbound. But trust me, you won't need an ancient conjuring book for this enchanting journey.
A Tale for the Time Being
by Ruth Ozeki
Why A Tale for the Time Being is on this list: A beautiful exploration of physics and metaphysics, interwoven with the grit of daily life, this is a contemporary magical realism masterpiece. You'll be drawn into a world where the strange and beautiful collide, creating a reality that's ironically unreal.
A teenage girl, Nao, living in Tokyo, plans to end her life, but not before she records the life of her great grandmother, a Buddhist nun. Juxtaposed with her story is that of Ruth, an author in Canada, who finds a letter in a Hello Kitty lunchbox, washed up after the tsunami. The tales entwine, crossing both space and time, in a truly magical and breathtaking way.
What readers like: Readers seem to be quite taken with the beautifully evoked characters and the thought-provoking narrative style. There is a particular charm in the way supernatural elements are grounded with the real world. Plus, if you're curious about the effects of global disasters and the physics of quantum mechanics, this book smartly explores these themes.
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The Rules of Magic
by Alice Hoffman
Why The Rules of Magic is on this list: This book contains a flavorful concoction of contemporary lifestyle seamlessly mingled with elements of magical realism that will have you losing track of reality.
Set in 1960s New York, 'The Rules of Magic' follows the lives of the eccentric Owens siblings who, despite their undeniable allure, have always been strange outcasts because of the family's deep-rooted magical heritage. The story weaves and dances around love, loss, and acceptance while facing the hard truth - that to elude love is to deny life itself. So basically, it's a stunningly spellbinding tale served up with a dollop of quirky humor and life lessons (also, might contain witches).
What readers like: Readers enjoy the humbling blend of ordinary and extraordinary in this book. The richly-detailed characters, the authentic touch of magical realism, and Hoffman’s vivid writing style, all contribute to a reading experience that's more addictive than the most potent witch's brew. If you appreciate character-driven narratives sprinkled with life-affirming wisdom, you're going to get hooked.
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Swamplandia!
by Karen Russell
Why Swamplandia! is on this list: Swamplandia! immerses the reader into the mysterious world of magic in a way contemporary magical realism is known for. Located in the extraordinary environment of Florida's Everglades, Karen Russell blends the surreal with the real, where the characters operate in the grey area in between.
The story orbits around the Bigtree family – a clan of alligator wrestlers who live in Swamplandia, a shabby amusement park in the Everglades' depths. The plot thickens when their mother passes away, and the family's stability starts to crumble. While her father absconds, her brother defects to a rival theme park, and her sister falls for the ghost of a man who died by drowning; our fearless 13-year-old protagonist, Ava, embarks on a dangerous journey through the swamp to find her lost sister.
What readers like: Readers are hooked by Russell’s sharp storytelling, grounded characters, and an oddball sense of humor sprinkled throughout the narrative. Fans love how she magically intertwines themes of family, grief, and coming-of-age into an enchanting narrative that feels as real as it feels dreamlike. So, if you're into quirky characters, a touch of the supernatural, and an environment so lively that it feels like its own character, Swamplandia! may just cast the magical spell you need!
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1Q84
by Haruki Murakami
Why 1Q84 is on this list: 1Q84 is the sort of book that immediately plops you into a familiar yet strangely altered version of our world. It's that unsettling sameness, peppered with dollops of the weird and wonderful, that makes it the closest thing to a magical reality rollercoaster. Also, it has a town of cats- beat that for magical realism!
The story revolves around two main characters, Tengo and Aomame, who are entangled in a narrative that hopscotches between a stark reality and an alternate world with two moons in the sky. It's a voyage through an uncanny version of 1984 Tokyo, that dabbles in everything from cults, to mysterious little people, to societal norms, to even math- believe it or not.
What readers like: Readers have praised the way Murakami interweaves the mundane with the extraordinary, creating a tapestry that feels almost 'real', but not quite. They love his unique storytelling style, with its richly layered characters and its masterful use of 'many worlds' theory. The consistent undercurrent of suspense is another big hit- you can't shake off this feeling of walking on a tightrope strung across two realities. And did we mention a town of cats? Yes, for all those feline aficionados out there, this alone could be reason enough to pick this up.
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The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
by Leslye Walton
Why The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender is on this list: Our selection would be lacking without including a spellbinding whimsical tale peppered with magic and grounded in reality. In other words, 'The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender' by Leslye Walton is like the cherry on top of the cake.
This ravishing book tells the peculiar journey of Ava Lavender, a girl born with the wings of a bird. The plot unravels Ava's history, starting with her grandmother and her mother, reflecting on how their tumultuous pasts reflect in Ava's life. A poetic and profound narrative that dares to dig deep into the roots of love and its many forms, filled with a hint of mystique and lingering magic.
What readers like: Readers savor Walton's expert hand in crafting characters with striking intensity. Notably, the storytelling is rich, lyrically beautiful, and perfectly straddles the line between reality and enchantment. They also appreciate how it reveals a deeper understanding of humanity's struggle between rationality and magic. If you're the type to enjoy a good emotional roller coaster, look no further.
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The Raven Boys
by Maggie Stiefvater
Why The Raven Boys is on this list: This book strikes a perfect balance between everyday life and enchanting otherworldliness, making it a fascinating example of contemporary magical realism. Like slipping on a pair of magical glasses, mundane reality becomes beguilingly strange and supernatural.
In 'The Raven Boys', Blue Sargent, daughter of a town psychic, has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She avoids boys, especially those from the local private school, until a chance meeting leads her to the Raven Boys. These aren't just any boys - they're on a quest for a sleeping king. Our girl Blue, whether she likes it or not, gets roped into a realm of ancient magic, buried secrets and hidden dangers.
What readers like: Readers are taken by the depth of these characters. You've got the kiddos dealing with ghosts, mystical quests, and prophecy. But they also have to grapple with the messiness of being teenagers. The beautifully crafted writing, richly detailed world, and nuanced, believable characters make this book hard to put down. And there's a romance that will have you swooning, or laughing, or both. Depends on your mood.
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The Starless Sea
by Erin Morgenstern
Why The Starless Sea is on this list: This book has all the elements that are intrinsic to contemporary magical realism - it's thought-provoking, enchanting, while also being rooted in reality. You will find yourself lost in the intricate narrative and breathtaking imagery.
In 'The Starless Sea', we follow the story of Zachary Ezra Rawlins - a grad student who stumbles upon a mysterious book in the library. The book contains stories of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, but it also has a story from his own childhood. This discovery guides him to a hidden library that is timeless and full of magic, and to a destiny that awaits him.
What readers like: Readers have appreciated the lyrical prose, the rich world-building and the complex intertwining of narratives. The romance, the mystery and the allure of a world dressed in magic, hidden just beneath our reality, is something readers have found truly mesmerizing.
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Boy, Snow, Bird
by Helen Oyeyemi
Why Boy, Snow, Bird is on this list: Welcome to the hypnotic world of Helen Oyeyemi, where magic blurs the lines of reality in a beautiful blend that typifies the contemporary magical realism genre.
This is not your usual Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs tale. In Oyeyemi's hands, the beloved fairy tale springs to life in a completely unexpected way, taking you through post-war America. The story follows the struggles of Boy Novak, who escapes her rough life in New York to settle in a small town in Massachusetts. The magic unravels as Boy gets entangled in the lives of a family with an eerie beauty and strange habits. The mesmerizing narrative disguises profound statements about race, beauty, and identity behind the magic.
What readers like: Readers love the smooth blend of realism and enchantment in 'Boy, Snow, Bird'. Oyeyemi's prose is a pleasure to read, with detailed descriptions that make the characters and their bizarre world come alive. The intriguing plot twist and compelling, layered characters will have you turning the pages, wondering what happens next on this magical rollercoaster ride.
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Mr. Splitfoot
by Samantha Hunt
Why Mr. Splitfoot is on this list: If there's one thing that modern magical realism loves, it's blend of reality with a touch of 'un-reality'. And Samantha Hunt's Mr. Splitfoot goes all in to deliver this fusion in a wholly unique, mesmerizing way.
Mr. Splitfoot tracks two parallel stories. One follows Ruth and Nat - orphans who can communicate with the dead - and their mysterious overseer Mr. Bel. The other is about Ruth's years later pregnant, mute journey across New York. As their stories intertwine, you're plunged into a world where the known and unknown dance together, and magic - mundane or otherwise - is always just around the corner.
What readers like: Readers adore Mr. Splitfoot for its quirky characters, haunting atmosphere, and smart, intricate narrative. Samantha Hunt's writing style - with its sharp humor and warm empathy - has been much praised, and the way she twists reality into something...more, keeps readers turning the pages long into the night.
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