McGuire Seanan, Every Heart a Doorway; Informal Buddy Read; Starts 17 May 2018

[Annalisa]

Interesting that you use magical realism as the genre. For me it falls somewhere between magical realism and fantasy.

I think of magical realism as fiction that feels like our world but has a very small hint of magic. Sarah Addison Allen is an author I think of when I think magical realism. It could almost be passed by as normal but then again it isn't quite.

I do use fantasy broadly. And for me this fit because of the worlds outside our own that are described.

Urban fantasy never came to mind when I was reading it. I'm glad I didn't see that because I never would have picked it up if I had. Urban fantasy lacks something for me and I always come away feeling a little disappointed. Maybe it is the black and white, good verse bad struggle that seems to be a driving point for most urban fantasy. Whatever it is this book didn't have that.

[ClaireB]

Devann wrote: "to me this falls under 'magical realism' which ...i don't even know how to describe what i think is the different between magical realism and urban fantasy is. i guess it's just a feeling i get whe..."

I wouldn't want you to take it the wrong way or anything, but I think you are confused about what magic(al) realism is. Here is the Merriam-Webster definition : "a literary genre or style [...] that incorporates fantastic or mythical elements into otherwise realistic fiction". I wouldn't say Harry Potter is particularly realistic. For me, for a book to be of the magical realism genre, the magic inside it needs to be more subtle, or at least questionable (is it really happening, or is it part of the character's imagination). It's a genre that aims at making you question reality. At least that's how I remeber it from my literature class. The magic inside Harry Potter is anything but subtle...

Technically Harry Potter can be qualified as Urban Fantasy... but I agree it doesn't quite fi Harry Potter, as it doesn't really take place in the city (most of it anyway).

I think Contemporary Fantasy (as its name says, fantasy in the present day) or Low Fantasy fits better ("Low fantasy or intrusion fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction where magical events intrude on an otherwise normal world. It thus contrasts with high fantasy stories, which take place in a fictional world with its own set of rules and physical laws." (Wikipedia)).

[Dev]

haha oh don't worry, i definitely don't take offense to it if that is the 'official definition', that's just how i use it because i need an extra category for things that i don't think are quite fantasy or urban fantasy but are also obviously not contemporary or whatever. i haven't ever heard the term contemporary fantasy before although that does fit rather well and i like it better than 'low fantasy', which i don't really like the sound of at all for whatever reason. and i've never taken any classes on like ...literary genres or anything so obviously i'm just over here doing my own thing lol

but i mean it says incorporates fantastic or mythical elements into otherwise realistic fiction and to me this definitely counts as that. like the whole thing takes place in the real world, they're real world children in a real world school and the 'fantastic' element is that they have access to doors to other worlds. so to me that fits but i get what you are saying about considering magical realism to be more 'subtle' i guess. although to me if you can't tell if the magic is real or in someone's head that is basically contemporary so i guess we all draw our lines in different places.

[Kate S]

Thank you all so much for this enlightening conversation! I have read some magical realism, but I tend to associate that term with South American literature and just didn't relate it to fantasy. High fantasy and low fantasy are terms I have seen, but never seen explained so clearly. I can imagine being more comfortable approaching this genre armed with the distinctions you have illuminated. Thank you again.

[ClaireB]

Devann wrote: "haha oh don't worry, i definitely don't take offense to it if that is the 'official definition', that's just how i use it because i need an extra category for things that i don't think are quite fa..."

makes sense :)

It's true that sometimes these categories are very abstract. Like the difference between High fantasy and Epic fantasy. I still have difficulties with that one, need to check which is which every time.

I wish I had a class on fantasy. Unfortunately Magic realism is as far as my teachers go in the fantasy genre...

[ClaireB]

Kate S wrote: "Thank you all so much for this enlightening conversation! I have read some magical realism, but I tend to associate that term with South American literature and just didn't relate it to fantasy. Hi..."

You are welcome. Starting in the Fantasy genre can be daunting and sometimes knowing exactly what sub-genre you like and don't can help you find books you'll enjoy.

[Dev]

haha i totally always thought epic and high fantasy were just two ways to say the same thing so obviously shows how much i know about sub-genres

[Rosina]

Finally back to reading this...(view spoiler)[so sad and shocked about Sumi....why why why?....love reading about the different... (hide spoiler)] Seanan is genius....

[Rosina]

Read to chapter 9...as im reading i keep thinking what other author am i reminded of...Neil Gaimen...is it because of his The Graveyard Book ...which i enjoyed as well

[Shannon]

Christina wrote: "
Chapters 3-5


It is so great to learn more about this world - the author makes it really easy. I love her writing!

BUT DID SHE HAVE TO MAKE MY LITTLE SUNSHINE THE FIRST VICTIM?? I'm actually h..."

I wound up buying this and reading it for Quidditch so I'm super behind, and it was terrible idea anyway, because I savored the whole thing rather than devour it and it was too slow for a score. lol!

I was so sad to (view spoiler)[that Sumi was killed. She was such an interesting character, that I was really hoping to learn more. And like you I wasn't too upset about Loriel but the part about her door waiting for her in her room was really quite sad! (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Elen wrote: "Chapter 1 and 2

First pages already sucked me into this world. It's different, Loving it :D"

It had the same effect on me! I could not stop listening to it. Truly amazing !

I belie..."

Yes!

[Shannon]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Chapter 6 to end"

I agree about the ending. [spoilers removed]"

I did too. It really surprised me. I figured that's where we were going in Book 2, so I wasn't expecting it at all.

[Shannon]

Elen wrote: "Annalisa wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Chapter 6 to end"

I agree about the end..."


I didn't either. And now I'm grateful I'm going back through the whole thread. ha!

[Shannon]

Rose wrote: "Apoorv wrote: "Team Gilderoy Lockhart
Part 1 - Chapters 4 -8

Hold on! What the hell happened? I went into the book without reading the blurb or absolutely anything and was I completely taken aback..."

Ha! And I keep picturing her dressed more like Dr. Watson or something.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Shannon wrote: "I wound up buying this and reading it for Quidditch so I'm super behind, and it was terrible idea anyway, because I savored the whole thing rather than devour it and it was too slow for a score. lol!..."

lol
too funny

[Shannon]

Rosina wrote: "Chapters 1 & 2

I am really enjoying this and find it hard to put down...
The description of Eleanor with orange pants and rainbow top and dandelion fuzz hair made me think of Phyllis Diller.

I l..."

I kept seeing Mrs. Frizzle. ;)

[Shannon]

Cathy M. wrote: "Read thru Chpt 8 last night ~

We do get the reason for the girl vs boy numbers in chpt 3 but I think I think your answer more Kathleen :P But I loved this quote about it: "We notice the silence of..."

Loved that quote as well

[Shannon]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Shannon wrote: "I wound up buying this and reading it for Quidditch so I'm super behind, and it was terrible idea anyway, because I savored the whole thing rather than devour it and it was too slow..."

Yes. I told the team that's a lesson for the next round...don't use books you know you'll really like haha!

[Shannon]

Ok so I really loved this novel. I kinda knew I would in that I love the author. It was really something I've never come across before. I know Karen compared it to Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children albeit darker, but I haven't read that one yet. The characters were just so well drawn, the world just sucked me in. I want to know more. I want to visit the worlds. I want to know what happens next. Which is really what you want to have happen.

[Elen]

Shannon, first of all, you have to read Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. I would agree with Karen Every Heart a Doorway is much darker, but both are unique but have similar features - "private" school for different people.

If you had a chance, what kind of door would be yours or what kind of world would you like to enter (Logic, Nonsense or mix of two of them etc)?
Here have been some interesting suggestions, but best one for bookworm is the door through the book.

You should definitely continue with series. PS! We have BR for them, so extra points. LOL :D

[Elen]

Shannon wrote: "I wound up buying this and reading it for Quidditch so I'm super behind, and it was terrible idea anyway, because I savored the whole thing rather than devour it and it was too slow for a score. lol!"

Hihi. Lesson for next matches. DON'T read too good books while speed reading a book.

[Shannon]

Elen wrote: "Shannon, first of all, you have to read Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. I would agree with Karen Every Heart a Doorway is much darker, but both are uniqu..."

It is an interesting question. I think I’d need a mix probably. Some of the lightheartedness of Nonsense and some of the structure of Logic.

[Shannon]

Elen wrote: "Shannon, first of all, you have to read Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. I would agree with Karen Every Heart a Doorway is much darker, but both are uniqu..."

And yea, it’s definitely sparked my interest for reading Mrs Peregrine plus continuing with this one. I’m dying to see what happens next.

[Donna]

Chapters 1-4

(view spoiler)[

Eleanor: Well, it is obvious to me that she is not your typical teacher. I loved how she pretty much told the students to bet on which girl would kill the other girl.

Lundy: I actually stopped and re-read this section. Yep, I read it right the first time. She just looks like an 8 year old child because she is growing younger.

Sumi: She is definitely a bit strange but I really enjoyed her unusual attitude. I was a bit disappointed that she was killed so early in the book.

Nancy: Well, she certainly fits in at this school. She is as strange as the rest of them. I am hoping to learn more about her adventures.

Jack & Jill: For being twins, they couldn't be more different. I felt bad that they were automatically suspected for killing Sumi (after Nancy, of course).

(hide spoiler)]

So far, I love how quirky the characters are. I can't wait to read more.

[Donna]

Shannon wrote: "Elen wrote: "Shannon, first of all, you have to read Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. I would agree with Karen Every Heart a Doorway is much darker, but b..."

I would have to agree with you, Shannon. I think a mix of both would be the perfect world.

[Donna]

chapters 5- end

(view spoiler)[

Loriel: I didn't care much for her but I was sad that she died.

Kade: I felt bad for him when Angela started mouthing off to him. He seems so nice and doesn't deserve to be treated so badly.

Jack & Jill: Well, Jack sure has some odd skills for a teen girl. Jill wasn't quite as sweet as she seemed. Still, I didn't expect her to be the killer.

Doors: I like that every door is different and as unique as each of the worlds are. This book definitely makes me want to explore different worlds.
(hide spoiler)]

I really enjoyed this book. I definitely want to read more and learn more about the different worlds.

[Shannon]

Donna wrote: "Chapters 1-4



Eleanor: Well, it is obvious to me that she is not your typical teacher. I loved how she pretty much told the students to bet on which girl would kill the other girl.

Lundy: I act..."

It’s fun and interesting huh? Now you can see why I couldn’t rush through for Quidditch lol! It needs to be savored more. ;)

[Donna]

Shannon wrote: "Donna wrote: "Chapters 1-4



Eleanor: Well, it is obvious to me that she is not your typical teacher. I loved how she pretty much told the students to bet on which girl would kill the other girl. ..."

Yes, I can definitely see why. I had a few books I couldn't rush thru as well. I am off to pick up book 2 since the library called to say it was available.