"Ava and Lilith Make Magic" Once upon a time, in a small village called Aurinia, there were two young girls named Ava and Lilith. They were best friends who loved to explore the enchanted forest near their village. One sunny day, as they were wandering through the forest, they stumbled upon an old, dusty book hidden behind a moss-covered rock. Curiosity getting the better of them, the girls decided to open the book and see what secrets it held. To their surprise, the pages were filled with intricate drawings and incantations. It was a book of spells! As they read through the book, they discovered a spell called "The Spell of Light and Shadows.
What is Magical Realism in Literature? Exploring El Realismo Mágico
What is magical realism? Imagine a woman discovers she can cry fabric (instead of water), so she starts a clothing business where she knots her tears into dresses.
This odd blending of the magical and the mundane constitutes the elements of magical realism, a wonderful genre for writers of all paths. Magical realism authors populate many of today’s fiction journals, and magical realism books have recently won Pulitzer, Nobel, and Booker Prizes.
Yet, because the genre is growing in popularity, many writers have a sense of what magical realism means but apply it incorrectly. (For example, the Harry Potter series would not be considered a set of magical realism books. I’ll explain why later!)
But if those books don’t count, then what is magical realism in literature? Let’s unpack this genre step-by-step, starting with the basic components of magical realism stories and ending with tips for writing the genre yourself.
It was a book of spells! As they read through the book, they discovered a spell called "The Spell of Light and Shadows." Excited by the possibilities, Ava and Lilith decided to try casting the spell. They gathered the necessary ingredients: moonflower petals, crystal powder, and a pinch of stardust.
What is Magical Realism in Literature?
In short, “magical realism” describes a work of fiction where fantasy slips into everyday life. However, the focus isn’t on the fantastical elements of the story, so much as on what those elements mean for the characters. Fantasy often acts as an extended metaphor, externalizing some sort of internal conflict or moral quandary in the protagonist’s life.
Magical realism definition: a genre in which fantasy slips into everyday life.
Some great magical realism examples show up in Carmen Maria Machados’ collection Her Body and Other Parties. Stories include: a detective connects a string of assaults in New York City to a wave of spiritual turbulence; two women have a baby without a father; and, a man wonders about the ribbon connecting his wife’s head to her body. In all of these examples, the plot starts with a dash of fantasy, but the story isn’t concerned with the logic of magic, just its aftermath.
Other magical realism authors include Isabel Allende, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Toni Morrison, and Aimee Bender. While their plots and writing styles differ, these pioneers of the genre included the following elements in their magical realism stories:
- Brief exposition based on the occurrence of something magical or supernatural.
- A focus on the real world implications of that brief magical phenomenon; in other words, a “literary fiction” style of writing, without any traditional plot structure.
- The use of fantasy as an extended metaphor, often representing something internal to the protagonist.
What is magical realism? It’s literary fiction with just a dash of fantasy.
Another way to put it: magical realism is literary fiction with just a dash of fantasy. This is why works of fiction like Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, or Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus wouldn’t be considered magical realism: though these novels often occupy real world settings, their plots require fantastical creatures and places to keep the story going. This is also why Harry Potter doesn’t count: though the castles and Department of Magic are both vaguely “muggle-esque,” the books require too much world building for the series to be anything other than fantasy.
Holding hands, they chanted the incantation with all their might, hoping something magical would happen. Suddenly, the forest seemed to come alive with vibrant colors. The trees whispered, and the wind carried joyous laughter. Before their eyes, tiny orbs of light and shadows appeared, dancing and twirling around the girls. It was a sight straight out of a fairy tale! As they watched in awe, one of the orbs transformed into a mischievous sprite named Sparkle. She had delicate wings that shimmered like a rainbow. Sparkle thanked Ava and Lilith for setting her free, explaining that she had been trapped inside the book for centuries. Sparkle, grateful for her newfound freedom, offered to teach Ava and Lilith real magic, the kind that could change lives. Over the next few weeks, the girls became Sparkle's apprentices, learning about the different elements of magic and how to harness its power. Under Sparkle's guidance, Ava discovered her talent for healing magic. With a gentle touch, she could mend wounds and ease pain. Lilith, on the other hand, found her affinity for elemental magic, conjuring fire and controlling the weather. As they continued their magical journey, Ava and Lilith realized that their newfound powers could be used for the greater good. They ventured out of the forest to help those in need. They healed the sick, brought rain to drought-stricken lands, and even lit up the darkest corners of their village with their light magic. Ava and Lilith became known as the village's resident sorceresses, bringing hope and joy wherever they went. With their combined powers, they made a difference in the lives of people around them, proving that magic wasn't just a fantasy but a force of positivity. And so, Ava and Lilith, along with their loyal companion Sparkle, continued to make magic in the enchanted forest and beyond, spreading love and light wherever they went. Their story became a legend, inspiring generations to come, and reminding everyone that magic truly exists if you only believe..
Reviews for "The Growth and Maturity of Ava and Lilith in MWGI"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Ava and Lilith Make MWGI". The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters felt flat and one-dimensional. The writing style also lacked depth and failed to engage me as a reader. Overall, I didn't find anything compelling or memorable about this book.
2. James - 1 star - I can honestly say that "Ava and Lilith Make MWGI" was one of the worst books I have ever read. The plot was confusing and filled with unnecessary subplots that didn't contribute to the overall story. The dialogue was forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Lastly, the pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself struggling to get through each chapter. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Ava and Lilith Make MWGI", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The characters lacked development and had little to no growth throughout the story. The plot was unoriginal and felt like a rehash of similar books in the same genre. Additionally, the writing style was inconsistent, making it hard to follow the narrative. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and forgettable.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Ava and Lilith Make MWGI" was a complete waste of my time. The story was filled with clichés and lacked any originality. The dialogue was cheesy and unrealistic, making it difficult to invest in the characters or their relationships. The pacing was off, with long stretches of unnecessary details that didn't contribute to the overall storyline. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a captivating read.
5. Rachel - 2 stars - I was truly disappointed with "Ava and Lilith Make MWGI". The writing was mediocre at best, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. The plot lacked depth and failed to provide any meaningful resolution. The characters were poorly developed and lacked relatability. Overall, this book felt like a rushed attempt at storytelling, and I was left feeling unsatisfied.