Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Magical realism is a literary genre that combines elements of reality and fantasy seamlessly within a work of fiction. It often involves the insertion of magical or supernatural elements into an otherwise ordinary and realistic setting.
Related terms
Surrealism: A movement in art and literature that aims to explore the irrational aspects of human experience by depicting dreamlike or absurd imagery.