Play Book Tag discussion
June 2018: Magical Realism
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Announcing the June Tag
Awesome, thanks, Jen! My husband and I don't have a lot of crossover in our reading so this would be cool to share.
yay.I have The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle on my TBR and I just picked it up at the local used book store, so I'll be reading that.
I saw Alice Hoffman on the shelf and read somewhere that she is considered Magical Realism, and I really like her, so I'll be reading the books of hers that I have.
I saw Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore on the 2nd page of the shelf, is that considered Magical Realism? If so, I'll be reading that too.
Jason wrote: "One of my least favorite books. I liked it up until the island. Ruined the book for me from that point on."I didn't like it even before the island part, but that is what really sent me over the edge.
annapi wrote: "The Bear and the Nightingale has been on my TBR for some time, but it sounds like fantasy to me, not MR. I will have to poke around..."I did tag this book as MR. It reminded me a bit of The Snow Child in that it kind of blended MR and fairy tale. So, if you want a really strict interpretation of MR, then that may not be it.
But, I thought B&N was a really good book, so there is that!
So I love magical realism. For a while it was one of my favorite genres so I've read a lot. While I think it can certainly be tricky to decide what qualifies, the main difference between magical realism and fantasy is that in magical realism books are primarily serious/reality-based fiction that include magical elements to prove a point about real-life situations. In contrast, fantasy is escapist and not really grounded in real life. So in magical realism the setting is real world and yet magical elements are introduced without being a focus of the story. These magical elements are often symbolic or emphasize points related to reality.Anyway, here are my top suggestions:
The Passion
Midnight's Children
Kafka on the Shore
Beloved
The House of the Spirits
The Master and Margarita
Pretty much anything by Murakami
Labyrinths: Selected Stories and Other Writings
Exit West
Nights at the Circus
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Jason wrote: "Found an article saying Shadow of the Wind is not magical realism. I don't get the dang definition of this genre."I think of it as regular people in a regular story who happen to do light "kitchen" magic. There are no magic wands or mystical lands or space adventures or elves or anything like that.
Basically, it is a very realistic story, one that you could take the magic out of and it would still make quite a bit of sense. But, it just has that dash of magic. Maybe aunts make love potions for local women (Practical Magic) or a young woman who has a garden that grows fruit that has an odd impact on those who eat it (Garden Spells).
That is a pretty basic way of thinking of it but may be helpful to frame it that way.
How about this one? Shoeless Joe If you build it they will come. 40 Good Readers tagged it magical realism. It's been on my kindle forever. I loved the movie.
Hayjay315 wrote: "I have never delved in to this genre so am woefully unfamiliar with what the parameters are. I recently heard about this book: The Girl from Everywhere which is the first in a serie..."I would call this more fantasy than magical realism, but it is tagged magical realism by 17 people so you can read it for the tag if you like!
Susie wrote: "Let’s talk The Bear and the Nightingale. It’s tagged Magical Realism, but I get the impression it is more fairy tale. Can anyone who has read it shed some light?"It's a retelling of a Russian Fairy Tale. It was a good story!
Charlotte wrote: "I saw Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore on the 2nd page of the shelf, is that considered Magical Realism? If so, I'll be reading that too."Alice Hoffman is definitely magical realism!
I think I tagged Penumbra sci fi, but with 152 people who tagged it as magical realism, I think you are super safe in adding that to your list for this month as well!
Jen wrote: "So I love magical realism. For a while it was one of my favorite genres so I've read a lot. While I think it can certainly be tricky to decide what qualifies, the main difference between magical re..."Jen, The House of the Spirits for me? I am intrigued but would like to get your insight...
Meli wrote: "Is The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov magical realism?? my husband suggested it... he lit up when I told him "magical realism" was the June tag :)"I think it was intended to be surrealism- I don't think magical realism as a genre existed when it was written. But as broad a tag as this has become, I think it would fit. It's certainly a great book!
Tracy wrote: "Meli wrote: "Is The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov magical realism?? my husband suggested it... he lit up when I told him "magical realism" was the June tag :)"I think it was intended to be surr..."
Yes. I think surrealism was basically the origins of what became magical realism. It is a great book
I really liked this article about "What is magical realism" from Oprah.com: http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/m...I think of it as magic that, in certain cultures, is reality. The kind of magic that happens is the kind that you can find real people in our real world that believe that it is possible. The author is not making stuff up, they are writing about what is real from their culture.
I am thinking of reading one of the following books from my TBR:
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
Echo
The Snow Child
Beloved
The House of the Spirits
Daughter of Fortune
A Tale for the Time Being
Land of Love and Drowning
The Lightning Queen
Reservation Blues
The Salt Roads
The Shadow of the Wind
Nicole R wrote: "Hayjay315 wrote: "I have never delved in to this genre so am woefully unfamiliar with what the parameters are. I recently heard about this book: The Girl from Everywhere which is th..."Thanks for the response Nicole! I believe I will go with this one then!
Anita wrote: "This list may be helpful to find books that fit the tag: https://bookriot.com/2017/10/17/100-m..."Oooo, this is good. My book club nominated Claire of the Sea Light last year and, while it ultimately didn't win, I thought it looked interesting.
I imagine magical realism is 'mundane with outbursts of magic'.I was going to recommend Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell for fairy tales, but am not sure its really magical realism... more of an alternative history. It is an amazing book nevertheless...
My recommendations are:
- Love in the Time of Cholera - even though it doesn't seem popular in this group, it really is a magnificent book. (although there's not too much magic )
- The Master and Margarita.
- Is Kafka in? I'm listening now to The Castle and it's so far awesome! (but be warned - he never finished the book)
- Haroun and the Sea of Stories is a very accessible and super charming YA book by Rushdie.
- a really special book: The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years.
I'm right now in the middle of One Hundred Years of Solitude, and loving it. If I don't manage to finish it in 5 days for the family tag, it will be my first magical realism for the month.
other than that, these books are in my lists, so I might read any of them: The House of the Spirits, Midnight's Children, Nights at the Circus, The Tin Drum, The Street of Crocodiles
Meli wrote: "Is The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov magical realism?? my husband suggested it... he lit up when I told him "magical realism" was the June tag :)"It totally is. and a good book too
There are so many wonderful books already recommended, I don't really have any to add.I also love magical realism- I'm going to try to read one of the Murakami books on my shelf. I'm sure I can find at least one more to read...
Anita wrote: "magical realism.."Well, crap! LOL! Though not surprised. I'm sure, though it's not my favourite, I will have something on the tbr.
I’m pretty happy with this tag as well. I will try to read something by Isabel Allende Other Alice Hoffman since I haven’t read anything by either of them.
I definitely recommend the books of Sarah Addison Allen.
One thing to remember is that the GoodRead shelves are determined by individuals putting books on the shelf using their own definition. When I look through the shelf there are a lot of books I would categorize as fantasy vs Jen’s definition which is also what I use. The magic is more subtle in magical realism. I also wouldn’t classify Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell or The Night Circus as magical realism.
Jen wrote: "So I love magical realism. For a while it was one of my favorite genres so I've read a lot. While I think it can certainly be tricky to decide what qualifies, the main difference between magical re..."
Ok, so as people have been downvoting The Bear and the Nightingale (tbh, I'm not surprised as i would have tagged it fairy tale or retelling), & I want to choose books already on my challenge list, do you think The Man Who Spoke Snakish would work with this definition?
Ok, so as people have been downvoting The Bear and the Nightingale (tbh, I'm not surprised as i would have tagged it fairy tale or retelling), & I want to choose books already on my challenge list, do you think The Man Who Spoke Snakish would work with this definition?
Jenny wrote: "Jen wrote: "So I love magical realism. For a while it was one of my favorite genres so I've read a lot. While I think it can certainly be tricky to decide what qualifies, the main difference betwee..."I’m not sure. I’m not familiar with the book. From the synopsis it sounds more like fantasy to me but that’s just a guess.
Jenny wrote: "Jen wrote: "So I love magical realism. For a while it was one of my favorite genres so I've read a lot. While I think it can certainly be tricky to decide what qualifies, the main difference betwee..."What’s your Litsy handle so I can follow you?
Anita wrote: "And new releases: https://www.bookbub.com/blog/2018/04/..."Thanks Anita. This is a really helpful list. I'm finding myself unable to decide after voting for it and currently reading Lincoln in the Bardo. Thinking of setting it down and reading it next but I hate to do that.
Jen wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Jen wrote: "So I love magical realism. For a while it was one of my favorite genres so I've read a lot. While I think it can certainly be tricky to decide what qualifies, the main dif..."
It's very original lol - @jenniferw88 !
I'm going to have a proper look at the lists later on today - but I've had a brief look & can see some of the ones on my challenges for this year so shouldn't be too hard for me to choose!
It's very original lol - @jenniferw88 !
I'm going to have a proper look at the lists later on today - but I've had a brief look & can see some of the ones on my challenges for this year so shouldn't be too hard for me to choose!
Hmm 🤔 I need to google genre definitions or something. I’m finding there’s a completely new genre I had never heard of before like everyday! Lol. So I’m currently reading The Darkest Minds. Does that count? Or how about A Discovery if Witches?
Otherwise I can read the Time Travelers Wife!!!
Wow June came up fast!!!
Jen wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Jen wrote: "So I love magical realism. For a while it was one of my favorite genres so I've read a lot. While I think it can certainly be tricky to decide what qualifies, the main dif..."I would consider The Man Who Spoke Snakish to be fantasy.
Anita wrote: "This list may be helpful to find books that fit the tag: https://bookriot.com/2017/10/17/100-m..."Looks like I stand corrected on American Gods... Tricky definition indeed.
Although unfamiliar with this genre I saw The Alchemist listed under it which my mum has been wanting me to read for 2 years so I think ill read that, maybe along with The Snow Child
Jen wrote: "So I love magical realism. For a while it was one of my favorite genres so I've read a lot. While I think it can certainly be tricky to decide what qualifies, the main difference between magical re..."I think my choice will be between The House of the Spirits and Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, both are high on my TBR. Glad to see them come recommended :)
I also second your recommendation for Beloved. Read it last year, and the writing was wonderful. I loved it, but I understand why people don't like it as well.
Evelyn, both of those sound like great options! It seems like a couple people are considering The Snow Child, which could lead to some good discussion!I also read The Alchemist, but it has been a long time....
Jenny wrote: "Jen wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Jen wrote: "So I love magical realism. For a while it was one of my favorite genres so I've read a lot. While I think it can certainly be tricky to decide what qualifies, ..."I already follow you. I’m also very original: JenP
I already have I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer on deck for June and it's for a book club as well, but I am going to challenge myself to read 2 books this month (been successful the past couple months). Sounds like The Master and Margarita fits the theme, so that is what I will read for June tag.
Excited! Stepping out of my normal reading comfort zone :)
New to this group (I’m AJ’s fiancé) but planning on jumping right in and reading:Life of Pi
The Time Traveler’s Wife
I love Book Concierge's list. So many Latin American writers since Marquez that almost define this tag. On Murikami, I find his work fits perfectly with the tag. I see magical realism as applying best for a narrative that is mostly realistic with breakthroughs of impossible or fantastical elements portrayed as real and not subject to perceptual distortion (like a dream, hallucination, or spiritual trance). Ghosts alone can make a book fit the tag if the option of an individual's creation of it as a vision is dispensed with (e.g. Lincoln in the Bardo).
I think I'd like to try The War of the Saints by Brazilian writer Jorge Amado. And maybe Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Or Chris Moore's Sacré Bleu: A Comedy d'Art. Like Tessa finishing the Bernieres trilogy is attractive as well.
Recommendations--long to expand possibilities of those with aversion to tag (like I had for many years):
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle--Murikami
Love in the Time of Cholera--Marquez
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao--Junot Diaz
Chronic City--Jonathan Lethem
Reservation Blues--Sherman Alexie
Jitterbug Perfume--Tom Robbins
Fine Just the Way it Is--Annie Proulx
Song of Solomon--Toni Morrison
LaRose--Louise Erdrich
The Ground Beneath Her Feet--Salman Rushie
I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive--Steve Earle
Bruno Schulz--Collected Stories or Street of Crocodiles
If on a Winter's Night a Traveler--Italo Calvino
At Swim-Two-Birds--Flann O'Brien
The Master and Margarita--Bulgakov
Any of the mystery series with Native American themes by James Doss
I've been on the waiting list for Lincoln in the Bardo forever but not sure I'll get it in time.I recently bought Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit so I'm going to go with that.
Other possibilities include:
Jitterbug Perfume
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The Bone People
I can not stress enough how much I ADORE The Diviners series by Libba Bray.I highly suggest it to everyone, especially for this category! It's less magic and more supernatural/super abilities.
Starting with A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab, the third book in her Shades of Magic series. Taking it camping this Memorial week-end and hoping to be able to read on the beach-This is Michigan though, so you never know. Always turn off the electronics when we head North-so wishing you all a glorious week-end! I will be celebrating my 62nd birthday tomorrow-so cheers to me!
AJ wrote: "Can someone explain to me what Magical Realism is?I plan to read either Landline or The Lovely Bones both of which were on the first page of the tag listing."
Hi, AJ, scan this thread in the posts before as a few different people have defined magical realism.
I plan on reading Exit West. The book I'm planning on reading for Denzien, Broken Monsters, has been tagged magical realism but I'm not sure it will actually fit the tag. I'm in the middle of Etta and Otto and Russell and James right now and it definitely fits magical realism. I'm going to finish it before June but I'm enjoying it so far.
I know that the definition of magical realism is a hard to nail down. I think it started as a movement with the Latin American writers but expanded out to other cultures. One small litmus test that I have is that if it’s called magic in the book, it probably wouldn’t be considered magical realism.
You guys, i was so excited about the tag that I forgot I owe you the theme for the June decathlon! I will get it posted this evening. Sorry about that!
Got the audio of The Peach Keeper. Short book!Also from the recent book lists found some really intruiging ones. Considering adding on
-Rainbirds
-The Astonishing Color of After
-The Immortalists
All of which came out this year!
I've got two books that I'm planning to read for this Tag. Both are physical books, so I'm excited to get through them and move them along (we're moving soon, and the fewer books to move the better!)Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders by Neil Gaiman
The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman
Really looking forward to these!
Joi, good to know that The Inmortalists also fits the tag! I am on a long library hold list and it probably won’t come in in time, but maybe!
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats (other topics)The Rules of Magic (other topics)
Circe (other topics)
The Rules of Magic (other topics)
Circe (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Mitch Albom (other topics)Isabel Allende (other topics)
Mitch Albom (other topics)
Junot Díaz (other topics)
Libba Bray (other topics)
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I think so. I’ve heard some people debate whether or not it is but I think a solid argument can be made for it