Past lives. Parallel universes. Psychic phenomena. To some, these are beliefs of the deluded and misguided. To others, they are inadequate descriptors of unseen forces at play on our planet and in the universe.
Reading is one of my favorite ways of expanding my awareness of what is, and what might be. While every book offers a unique perspective and the opportunity to learn, when I am yearning for a more intense awareness-expanding read, I seek books where the extraordinary and ordinary merge, weave, and intersect. That is also what I aim to write.
Fantasy, while a delightful escape, is described as being not scientifically feasible. There are many phenomena I am not prepared to discard as unfeasible. Science is a perpetual work in progress. New discoveries are made daily, and scientists build upon their understanding of physics, chemistry, and biology constantly.
In Visionary Fiction, growth in consciousness is the central theme of the story and drives the protagonist, and/or other important characters. The story often uses reincarnation, dreams, visions, paranormal events, psychic abilities, and other metaphysical plot devices. The emphasis is on our limitless human potential, where transformation and evolution are entirely possible.
Defining Magical Realism is trickier. According to Bruce Holland Rogers, Magical Realism is always serious and never escapist, because it is trying to convey the reality of one or several world-views that actually exist, or have existed. Yet more lighthearted books, such as those by Menna van Praag and Alice Hoffman also appear on magical realism lists. And the magnificent books of Elizabeth Cunningham also have elements that I consider magical realism.
As I search for real magic in the world, I continue to read in the genre of Magical Realism.
I’d love to expand both my reading list and my list of resources.
What have you read that opened your mind to ideas that seem impossible? Please share in the comments box below.
I am also compliling a list of scientific sources that validate metaphysical phenomenon, including past lives, parallel universes, and psychic abilities. If these topics interest you, please stop by and contribute.
The wish not to believe
can influence as strongly as
the wish to believe.
~ Ian Stevenson, M.D.
This post is part of the Magic Realism Blog Hop. Over twenty blogs are taking part in the hop. Over three days (29th – 31st July 2016) these blogs will be posting about Magical Realism. Please take the time to click on the links below to visit them and remember that links to new posts will be added over the three days, so do come back to read more.
Introduction to the Blog Hop – Magic Realism Books Blog
My Imaginary Autobiography by Leslie Tate
Storytelling, Dreams and Magic by Malcolm Campbell — Highly Recommended
Czech Magic Realism on Adventures in the Czech Republic
From Magic to Angels by Katerina West
A Magic-Realist Poem onZoe Brooks Books
Magic is the World and It is Ordinary by Leigh Podgorski
Magical Realism – why do we love magic so much by Rachel Dacus
A Survey of Reasonable Ghosts by Robin Gregory — Highly Recommended
The Magic in Magic Realism by Lily Iona MacLenzie
We Wizards Who Write Magic by Joel Hirst — Highly Recommended
Magic Realism & the Holocaust by Helen Maryless Shankman — Highly Recommended
On Magical Realism by Justin Meckes
Dance Between Worlds by Bianca Gubalke
Mortality and Eternity in Writing by Evie Woolmore
Northern Exposure – all things mystical in the 49th state by Cadell Blackstock
Magic Realism Writers From Around The World by Zoe Brooks
Magic at the Time of Conventions by Stephen Weinstock
El Funcionario Fantasma: a Montage by Joel Seath
Notes from the Field and a Prompt by Heather Fowler
Magic Realism in Russia by Zoe Brooks
Sources
What is Magical Realism, Really? Bruce Holland Rogers
Related Pages and Posts on this site
Weaving Gold 
I am especially fond of The Night Circus.
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I loved Night Circus. I felt the magic.
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‘What have you read that opened your mind to ideas that seem impossible?’ That’s a really tricky question. Most of the magical realism I read is perhaps defined as weird (e.g. Haurki Murakami’s sheep man). However, I am interested in the concept of magical realism bringing more magic into reality. Thanks for the post.
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Weird is mind-opening, too. 🙂
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Hello Natalia, nice meeting you on this bloghop! Reality is filled with magic – to me it’s part of it. With all the research being done and serious studies in the field, this becomes clearer every day! What an exciting time!
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Natalia, since you take us down a shortlist of magically inspired literary genres, let me suggest checking out the Oulipo movement in France, which included Calvino (also considered a Magic Realist), Queneau, and an amazing puzzler, Georges Perec. Perec’s Life: a User’s Manual takes a single apt building and in each chapter describes everything in a specific apt. It’s pure description, and yet a narrative unfolds with magical connections between everyone living in the building. The Oulipo loved ‘constraints,’ often hidden structures lying underneath what seems weird and illogical. Perez is famous for writing a novel without any words that have the letter ‘e.’
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Thank you! You’ve given me new authors to explore.
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I loved this post! Truly fascinating and all the things I love. Thanks for telling me! ❤️
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My pleasure. You should hashtag your post on Twitter. ❤
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I will do that! ❤️
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Hi Natalia! I join you in your quest to find “real magic in the world.” I think that says it for so many of us who are searching for transcendent qualities in the mundane. I doubt that I could recommend any MR fiction that hasn’t been listed on Zoe’s extensive list. But I do recommend a couple of MR films: THE WHALE RIDER and DONNY DARKO and AMELIE. Have you seen these? DONNY DARKO is really complex, fascinating, mind-altering. I needed to watch the after notes to get a better understanding. But I loved it. Thank you for joining the blog hop.
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You’ve made me think (again) about the genre of my own work, Natalia! It seems to be a crossover between visionary fiction, fantasy, and *perhaps* magical realism! I will need to come back when I am less tired, and read around this more.
Whatever the answer, finding magic, whether in the mundane or in the mysterious, in this world and/or in others, is a continuing quest – and an ongoing joy to write about!
Joanna
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