Wondrous Worlds: Tales of Magic & Realism II
What makes magical realism differ from fantasy? Fantasy is a made up story in a world that doesn’t exist outside the pages of a book. Magical Realism is the blending of the ordinary with extraordinary, the magic in the real world that we live in. I recently did a post about great Magical Realism books and while I couldn’t add every book in one list, I put together part II!
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
We’re often asked the question, Where do you see yourself in five years? Sometimes we have everything mapped out and we think we have all the answers. Some of us have no clue. Often life throws us surprises and that’s just what happens in Rebecca Serle’s novel In Five Years. Dannie Kohan has her future all mapped out; Dannie’s best friend Bella is more of a spur of the moment type of girl. Dannie has her dream career as a lawyer and accepts her boyfriend’s marriage proposal. The next morning Dannie wakes up in a different apartment, with a different ring on the finger and a very different man. Dannie spends one hour five years in the future before she wakes up back in the present. Other than spending an hour 5 years into the future, the story is a reminder that while its good to have plans, sometimes spontaneity and dreams and expectations changing is a good thing.
The Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper Ross
Emmerson Clarke is dealing with a lot right now between losing her father famous fantasy author to Alzheimer’s and her mother being an alcoholic and her daughter Sadie shutting her out. Emmerson’s own writing career has been put on hold, and she’s been a ghost writer. Until now she finds a typewriter her father used that granted wishes that had consequences. Emmerson uses it too, thinking she’s being careful but regardless, be careful what you wish for. I love the concept of a magical typewriter. The last part of the book does get heavy when you find out about a choice Sadie, Emerson’s daughter makes. While I didn’t agree with Sadie’s choice, I like the fact that Emerson didn’t use the typewriter to erase her pain. As we all must remember, dwelling in the past does no good, but don’t forget the lesson that it taught. I also like how Emerson had to learn to embrace uncertainty and find magic in everyday life.
The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki
In Japan, cats are a symbol of good luck. Legend has it if you are kind to cats, they will one day return the favor. When you are kind to the right cat, you will find yourself underneath a mysterious coffee shop under a glittering Kyoto moon called The Full Moon Coffee Shop. This coffee shop is no ordinary coffee shop as it’s run by cats, talking cats to be precise! There’s no fixed location, no fixed hours and it appears at random. While customers eat cakes and drink teas and coffees, the cats consult their star charts giving wisdom to help those who are lost, find their way again. Each of the characters are likeable and are intertwined directly or indirectly. If Lunar Chocolate Fondant were real, I would order & eat it. I can’t wait to read both sequels Best Wishes From The Full Moon Coffee Shop & Dreamers Of The Full Moon Coffee Shop.
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
Alice Stern is on the eve of her 40th birthday and she feels something is missing from her life, on top of dealing with the impending death of her father Leonard. Alice gets drunk in the guardhouse and the next morning she wakes up on her birthday. Only its her 16th birthday in 1996 and her father Leonard is healthy and handsome again and not dying. Alice wants to change certain aspects of her life and possibly change her fathers fate. During her time travelling, Alice learns some important lessons. I love the 90s setting and it brings me back to when I was a little girl watching kids shows and movies and good music. I also love the quote Our choices in life matter but most are not permanent face tattoos.
