Literary Fiction with a Magical Realism Edge

by R. Tim Morris

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8 books

Literary Fiction (in my best description) is typically defined as stories where “The Character” takes precedence over “The Story” as well as a penchant for wonderful writing. Magical Realism (again, as best as I can describe it) is that little bit of “unknown & unexplained” in a story that either explicitly states or merely hints at other forces at work. My own books and short stories quite often go into Magical Realism territory—whether a little bit on the periphery or as the crux of the entire story—so I definitely lean into reading (and re-reading) similar stories in order to keep my writing inspired.

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The Horned Man: A Novel

James Lasdun, 2003

This is maybe my favourite book, and Lasdun does a masterful job at balancing his beautiful literary voice with such dark subject matter and some of the story’s flat-out bizarre circumstances. This is also a perfect read for those who love the unreliable narrator trope. Trust me, there will be multiple moments in this short novel where readers will need to simply stop and think about how masterfully it was written.

Mistaken

Neil Jordan, 2011

Perhaps primarily known as a filmmaker, Jordan is an incredible writer. Mistaken was the first novel I’d read of his (I’ve also read The Drowned Detective), and while his voice is strong, it’s the story’s gothic strangeness as well as the main characters’ fairytale-like, time-spanning, chance encounters that keep it in the reader’s mind long after turning the final page.

Sputnik Sweetheart

Haruki Murakami, 2011

Murakami is a master storyteller and Sputnik Sweetheart, while relatively short, is a superbly accessible example of his work. This story has a ghost-like presence all over it.

Our Wives Under the Sea

Julia Armfield, 2022

Maybe my favourite book of 2022. Our Wives Under the Sea is a succinct multiple-POV novel with two alternating timelines that, when they finally come together, pay off big time. The magical realism part of this book is on-the-nose in a good way. This has nearly everything I’m looking for in a book, and I’ve recommended it countless times already.

Little, Big

John Crowley, 2012

Maybe Little, Big reads a bit more like a fairy tale than anything, but it’s such a wonderful book, doing its own thing, and leaving a lasting impression. It’s sad and quirky and bold and quaint and all the reasons certain books deserve re-reads.

French Exit

Patrick deWitt, 2018

This one reads a bit like a Wes Anderson film in novel form, which I have no problem with at all. What starts in New York moves quickly to Paris and definitely embodies what literary fiction is all about: characters! The bit of magical realism within the story really works for it, too. While I’m in an uncertain relationship with all deWitt’s books, I think what I admire the most about his writing is that every book is VERY different, showing he’s got the chops to tackle nearly anything.

Ponti

Sharlene Teo, 2018

I love discovering books and authors I know nothing about and this one surprised me in a lot of great ways. Ponti weaves three characters’ POVs together, telling a tale that spreads through generations. It draws wonderful connections between the women, and just might leave readers questioning the bits of otherworldlyness sprinkled throughout. Teo mixes her unique voice with just enough humour and pathos.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman, 2013

What could I possibly say about Neil Gaiman’s writing that hasn’t already been said? The Ocean at the End of the Lane is one of his shorter reads, but certainly not short on impact. A great little tale about a middle-aged man revisiting childhood encounters he had in his hometown. It’s beautiful and creepy and thought-provoking, exactly what one might come to expect in a book by Neil Gaiman.