magical realism: the classics & niche
collection of my favorite genre and some of my favorite reads/tbrs! would love any suggestions!
created by beezus
last updated February, 2026
Comments
Exit West is one of my faves! A love/immigration story.
Oh seconding exit west. So good. I’m still always recommending it to people even years after I first read it.
It sticks with you! ❤️
beezusOP
i'm excited to read it this year!!
i have a book called build your house around my body that i paused but is gorgeous magical realism set in vietnam
beezusOP
ooo yes sounds perfect!! tysm for sharing!!
I highly recommend ”The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón! It’s set in Barcelona after the Spanish Civil War, and Zafón has this phenomenal way with words that make you feel the magic and the history all at once. I wish I could erase my memory of it and experience it brand new again!
beezusOP
ty for the suggestion! put it on my tbr and the list!
I look forward to hearing your thoughts one day! 🤗
Ishmael - Daniel Quinn
Invisible Cities - Italo Calvino
While not magical realism, but think surrealism and experimental - Djinn by Alain Robbe-Grillet
beezusOP
ah yes, this list is specifically just magical realism!
…in that case are you attempting to find ones that classify as classics and are like the ones in the pile or open to any and everything for the list beyond your personal tastes?
you can recommend any magical realism you know of/like, but i do try to research each one both in synopsis and reviews to see its actual fine line between magic/fantasy and realism, or leaning more towards full fantasy/sci-fi. it's more up to my discretion so i guess my preferences too, but i do try to research each recommendation fairly.
What I’m hearing is as long as it classifies as magical realism, it’s good to go? Correct me if not. I feel I missing another aspect about preference for lighter more subtle on the existing fantasy, as opposed to contemporary tales that fit the genre, but you do have the time travel coffee shop on here so hm.
Reccomending:
Starless Sea Erin Morgenstern Piranesi - Susanna Clarke Monstrilio - Gerardo Samano Cordova Bliss Montage - Ling Ma Slaughterhouse Five - Vonnegut Something Wicked This Way Comes - Bradbury The end of Mr. Y- Scarlett Thomas Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt
