Magical Realism
-Within the context of the Boom, Magical Realism became the best known style associated with the ‘literary explosion’ of the 60’s and 70’s. -The term magical realism was created in the 50’s by Alejo Carpentier. -The term is NOT unique to Latin America, but it is a style that unifies the Latin American experience in a way that had not occurred since Modernism. -It describes a literature where the limits of the real and fantastic are blurred. -Magical Realism is not interested in a rational approach to explain occurances. -The use of magical realism in different authors has different purposes (examples: Carlos Fuentes → research indigenous anthropology; Gabriel García Márquez → Satire).
Some elements that are usually found in Realismo Mágico: - Shows strange events like if they were everyday events. - Above all, it reflects an attitude - Presence of myths and legends - Ambiguous or unexpected endings - Possibility of different readings of the text. - American scenarios, usually in marginal settings (poor people) Topics: -- Diverse time frames -- Culture of the mestizo -- The Pre-hispanic through their myths Treatment of time: -- Chronological -- Fragmented time (flasbacks and flashforwards) -- Static –does not matter
Gabriel García Márquez Colombia (1927- )
Selected bibliography La Hojarasca El coronel no tiene quien le escriba La mala hora Los funerales de Mamá Grande Cien años de soledad Monólogo de Isabel viendo llover en Macondo Relato de un náufrago (edición en formato libro), La increíble y triste historia de la cándida Eréndira y de su abuela desalmada Ojos de perro azul (libro recopilatorio de cuentos) Cuando era feliz e indocumentado Chile, el golpe y los gringos El otoño del patriarca , Todos los cuentos De viaje por los países socialistas Obra periodística 1: Textos costeños Obra periodística 2: Entre cachacos Crónica de una muerte anunciada Viva Sandino El secuestro El amor en los tiempos del cólera Del amor y otros demonios Noticia de un secuestro Vivir para contarla Memoria de mis putas tristes