In this episode, we journey through the evolution of Magical Realism—from its origins in German art criticism with Franz Roh in 1925 to its transformation into a primary literary mode in the hands of Latin American masters like Alejo Carpentier and Gabriel García Márquez.
We explore how magical realism blends the ordinary and the extraordinary—where supernatural elements exist naturally within realistic settings—and how this stylistic choice becomes a powerful form of cultural expression, political commentary, and historical storytelling.
From One Hundred Years of Solitude to Midnight’s Children, we examine how writers across geographies—particularly in Latin America, Europe, and India—use magical realism to challenge colonial narratives, question official history, and illuminate lived reality.
You’ll learn:
The difference between the fantastic, the marvellous, and magical realism
How “marvellous reality” differs from “magic”
Why readers instinctively accept the impossible in a believable world
Key works and authors that shaped the genre across continents
How postcolonial writers, including Salman Rushdie, have adapted the genre’s techniques
Whether you are a literature student, UGC NET aspirant, writer, or a curious reader, this episode will deepen your understanding of magical realism as not just a literary technique—but a worldview and cultural lens.