So You Want To Read Magical Realism ? (Complete Reading Guide)

Magical realism is a genre of fiction that blends elements of the supernatural or magical with the real world. It often features dreamlike or surreal elements and explores themes of identity, memory, and spirituality. One of the most well-known authors in this genre is Haruki Murakami, whose books have gained a large following around the world.
In this video, we'll discuss the characteristics of magical realism, explore its origins, and showcase some of the best books in the genre. We'll recommend books that are similar in style to Murakami's works, including "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle," "The Cat Who Saved Books," and "Before The Coffee gets Cold."
So, if you're a fan of magical realism and looking for your next read, this video is for you! Join me as I delve into this fascinating genre and discover some amazing new books to add to your collection.
The Books In This Video:
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
amzn.to/40Fydrq
100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
amzn.to/430lB06
The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa
amzn.to/430lYYy
Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
amzn.to/3ze8haz
Norwegian Wood by Murakami
tinyurl.com/2p8w7wh7
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Murakami
tinyurl.com/ycxm4tfv
The links provided in this video are Amazon Affiliate links, which means if you buy a book through these links, it will not cost you extra, but it will earn me a small commission, which supports the channel. Do not feel obligated to buy through me, but if you do, thank you for your support.
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[@cafeaulivre]

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 😂

[@meowman7926]

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.

[@cafeaulivre]

Some excellent recommendations there!

[@didehermans982]

such an interesting video!!! i look forward to reading all the cat books! 🐈‍⬛😻

[@cafeaulivre]

You are going to love The Cat Who Saved Books 😊

[@JafarQasim]

Very informative, beautiful, and excellent video! You reminded me of a couple of titles that I should read again! :D

[@cafeaulivre]

Thank you…which will you be rereading?

[@JafarQasim]

@@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 :)

[@JafarQasim]

The wife says hi btw, she loved the video, and of course she could't leave before subscribing

[@cafeaulivre]

@@JafarQasim Sounds like an excellent playlist! My pleasure.

[@baeumchen6384]

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]

My job here is done 🤣

[@apoetreadstowrite]

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.

[@cafeaulivre]

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!

[@alexislopez9355]

I read "Like Water For Chocolate" in the original Spanish. It's the only magical realism novel that I've read cover to cover.

[@cafeaulivre]

Such a great book. It has a film adaptation as well, if I’m not mistaken , but I havn’t seen it yet.

[@alexislopez9355]

@@cafeaulivre I personally didn't like the film. The novel's great though.

[@hauthot287]

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

[@cafeaulivre]

Beloved is a great book! Havn’t read The Book of Form and Emptiness yet…did you like it?

[@tyghe_bright]

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.

[@cafeaulivre]

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.

[@Legato1265]

Bellefleur by Joyce Carol Oates is a terrific example of magical realism, as is her next novel, A Bloodsmoor Romance.

[@cafeaulivre]

I’ll have a look at those. Thanks!

[@azlinalina5108]

Tiger the tabby come pops up😺 cute❤️

[@sniffingthesheets]

Two seconds in and I am promised cats! I am here to stay..

[@cafeaulivre]

Sassy cats even! 🐱

[@sniffingthesheets]

@@cafeaulivre even better

[@katiedawson642]

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is a great magical realism book.

[@cafeaulivre]

Oh, I agree, such a beautiful (and sad) book

[@gabiocampos]

What is the difference between surrealism and magical realism?

[@cafeaulivre]

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).

[@gabiocampos]

@@cafeaulivre thanks! 👌🏻

[@prove_it000]

Ummm... are you sure that's your Goodreads link?

[@cafeaulivre]

You can find my Goodreads link at the top of my channel homepage