Magical Realism, Anyone?

Magical realism is one of my favorite genres (or literary mode), so I'm always interested in recommendations!

Are you familiar with Angela Carter (Nights at the Circus) or Jeanette Winterson (The Passion, Sexing the Cherry)? They're a little off the beaten track of magical realism, but still have many elements that would put them in that genre. (And they are all flat out fabulous reads in their own right.)

I think my favorite author in this category is still Gabriel Garcia Marquez, though, with Isabel Allende's early stuff (The House of Spirits, Eva Luna) as a close second.

Who are some of your other favorites? I'm always looking for book recommendations! :)

I've never really felt quite clear on what counts as magical realism and what doesn't - especially with the rise of urban fantasy, which often seems to hit the definition, but not quite the 'spirit' of the thing, if I'm getting it right. A lot of alternate history (I'm thinking of WWII in Bitter Seeds, or even Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell here) seems the same way to me.

Bitter Seeds sounds intriguing, Aerrin99. Just had a look at your review and added to Mt TBR.

What about The Particular Sadness of Lemoncake? It sounded intriguing, and I've been trying to source a copy for a while now. No luck at my local library ...

> 4 It's very intriguing! I'm eager for the rest of the series - I think it has the potential to be tremendous - or a tremendous disappointment. We'll see which.

#2> I'm not sure I've read enough to have favorites, and yet, I have probably read things that I don't realize are of that type literature. I think I was first introduced to the term in a Spanish class taken in Mexico (Universidad de los americos) in 2006. There were at least two short stories -- I'd have to look up the titles and authors. I remember being fascinated by the storytelling.

I have read Love in the Time of Cholera, and House of Spirits. I think both those qualify. I wonder, as I write, perhaps even Sarah Addison Allen's Garden Spells? A new YA book I read last year, Tortilla Sun was a sweet read (and the author is a real sweet lady, as well).

ETA:
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
The Wood Wife by Terri Windling - I do *love* this one.
Chocolat by Joanne Harris
Hauron and the Sea of Stories by Salmun Rushie

#3>It's a topic I've wanted to investigate/research a lot more. I think that's why I started the thread. :D

I also enjoy this genre, but can't think of any books I am soon to read that fit the category.

I think Shadow of the Wind would fit this genre and also lots of stuff by Neil Gaiman and of course there is Beloved. I have really enjoyed these ones.