tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446398850538831139.post6752372700578216439..comments2010-04-13T09:41:42.335-07:00Comments on Max's Blog: Magical Realism: an inside joke?Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361256109525697218noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446398850538831139.post-83964610660936474332010-04-13T09:41:42.335-07:002010-04-13T09:41:42.335-07:00"It seems sometimes that the writers are on m..."It seems sometimes that the writers are on mushrooms or trying to create a feeling akin to it."<br /><br />Haha! <br /><br />Anyhow, beyond the points that Brittney also raises, I think that fans of magical realism would say that, well, sometimes life does seem pretty absurd. And that perhaps it seems so more often in Latin America than elsewhere, and that a magical or fantastical explanation seems to make as much sense--perhaps more--than a strictly rational one.<br /><br />I think this is in part Carpentier's point: that Latin American history often seems so fantastical, or to have such extraordinary elements, that the only way to make sense of it is via an understanding of the power of myth.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14637452970276655064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446398850538831139.post-27704988940512441792010-04-12T17:29:51.413-07:002010-04-12T17:29:51.413-07:00Actually yes, I do have a thought. Not a very pro...Actually yes, I do have a thought. Not a very profound or interesting one, but a thought none-the-less. I liked what you had to say about having to be there to actually understand much of the magical realism. I completely agree that it is a confusing genre.<br /><br />What I do not completely agree with though is the idea that the novels should be based solely on historical fact. Where's the fun in that? Wouldn't that be basically reading a history book? I think that the magical realism aspect provides an interesting perspective into Latin American culture that a western audience probably would not otherwise have picked up on; a somewhat fantastical, fun, and unique perspective on the workings of the world, especially regarding the oppression of people.brhoadshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09884503441163666491noreply@blogger.com