The Greatest American, British "Magical Realism, Fiction" Books Since 1990

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Magical Realism

Magical realism is a literary genre that weaves elements of fantasy into realistic settings, creating a narrative that exists in a harmonious balance between the ordinary and the extraordinary. In magical realist literature, the supernatural is not presented as something to be questioned or explained, but rather as an accepted part of everyday life. Characters might encounter ghosts, engage in telepathy, or experience time in non-linear ways, yet these occurrences are treated as mundane aspects of the world. This genre often explores complex themes such as identity, time, and the interconnection of reality and illusion, blurring the lines between the conceivable and the incredible. Magical realism is rooted in Latin American literature but has become a beloved and diverse genre worldwide, offering readers a lens through which the complexities of life are viewed with wonder and a subtle touch of magic.

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  1. 1. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

    "His Dark Materials" is a fantasy trilogy that follows the journey of a young girl named Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pantalaimon, across parallel universes. Throughout their adventures, they encounter a variety of mythical creatures, confront religious and political systems, and grapple with complex themes such as free will, original sin, and the nature of consciousness. The series also delves into the mysteries of Dust, a strange particle integral to the multiverse's function.

    The 342nd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

    This novel is a unique blend of six different stories, each set in a different time and place, spanning from the 19th century South Pacific to a post-apocalyptic future. Each tale is written in a different style, reflecting the time and setting it represents, and they are all connected through shared themes and recurring motifs. The stories are nested within each other, with each interrupted by the next, only to be concluded in the second half of the book. The novel explores themes of predacity, civilization, reincarnation and the eternal recurrence of the same behaviors throughout history.

    The 449th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

    Set in a parallel 19th-century England, this novel tells the story of two practicing magicians, Mr. Norrell and Jonathan Strange. Norrell, who aims to restore magic to respectability in England, is initially thrilled by Strange's natural aptitude for magic, and the two form a student-teacher relationship. However, their partnership soon deteriorates into rivalry as Strange, driven by the loss of his wife to the fairy realm, seeks to reintroduce the old, wilder forms of magic that Norrell disdains. Their conflict escalates, culminating in a magical duel that has profound consequences for the future of magic in England.

    The 890th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. American Gods by Neil Gaiman

    A recently released convict discovers that his wife and best friend died in a car accident. He then meets a mysterious stranger who hires him as a bodyguard. As they journey across America, it is revealed that the stranger is an old god, traveling to rally his fellow forgotten deities to wage a war against the new American gods born from society's modern obsessions with media, technology, drugs, celebrity, and more. The story blends elements of fantasy, mythology, and Americana to explore themes of faith, belief, and the nature of American identity.

    The 1051st Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer

    The novel is a richly layered narrative about a young man's quest to find the woman who saved his grandfather from the Nazis during World War II. The story is told from two perspectives: a Ukrainian translator with a unique grasp on the English language and the young man himself who is also a budding writer. The book explores themes of memory, history, and the power of storytelling, all set against the backdrop of a tragic and tumultuous period in world history.

    The 1309th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie

    The book is a fantastical children's novel that explores the importance of storytelling. It follows the journey of a young boy named Haroun who sets out on a magical adventure to restore his father's ability to tell stories. Along the way, he encounters a vast array of colorful characters and strange lands, including a Sea of Stories. The narrative addresses themes of censorship, the power of storytelling, and the struggle between light and darkness.

    The 1398th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Wise Children by Angela Carter

    "Wise Children" follows the lives of twin chorus girls, Dora and Nora Chance, as they navigate the ups and downs of their theatrical family in south London. The narrative, told from Dora's perspective, weaves in and out of time, recounting their experiences with their illegitimate father Melchior Hazard, a renowned Shakespearean actor, and his legitimate family. The novel explores themes of family, identity, legitimacy, and the magic of theater, all while maintaining a humorous and irreverent tone.

    The 1455th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. The Moor's Last Sigh by Salman Rushdie

    This novel follows the life of Moraes Zogoiby, the last in line of a once powerful and influential Indian family. Told from his perspective, Moraes recounts his family's history, starting with his grandparents and moving through to his own life. The narrative is filled with tales of love, betrayal, political unrest, and the supernatural. The protagonist's life is marked by a strange curse that causes him to age twice as fast as a normal human, adding a layer of urgency and tragedy to his story. The book explores themes of cultural identity, family legacy, and the passage of time.

    The 1467th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem

    The novel follows the lives of two boys growing up in Brooklyn, New York in the 1970s. Despite their racial differences, one being white and the other black, they form a deep friendship bonded by their shared interest in comic books, music and a magical ring that grants them superpowers. As they grow older, their paths diverge due to their racial and societal differences, with one becoming a successful music journalist and the other succumbing to a life of crime. The book is a profound exploration of race, identity, friendship and the impact of gentrification.

    The 1524th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

    The novel explores the journey of a 13-year-old boy, his drug-addicted mother, and his baby sister as they travel through Mississippi to pick up their white father from the state penitentiary. The story is steeped in the harsh realities of poverty, racism, and struggle, and is further complicated by the presence of a ghost from the family's past. It's a haunting tale about the legacy of trauma and the power of family ties.

    The 1749th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. Boy's Life by Robert R. McCammon

    Set in the 1960s in the fictional town of Zephyr, Alabama, the novel follows the life of 12-year-old Cory Mackenson, whose life takes a mysterious turn when he witnesses his father attempt to save a man from a sinking car. The man is already handcuffed to the steering wheel, dead by strangulation. This event triggers a series of adventures and mysteries that Cory must unravel, all the while dealing with the challenges and joys of growing up. The book is a rich blend of nostalgia, magic realism, and the dark undercurrents of life in the American South.

    The 2223rd Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. Swamplandia! by Karen Russell

    "Swamplandia!" is a darkly humorous and poignant story about a family of alligator wrestlers living in the Florida Everglades. The family's way of life is threatened when their mother dies, their tourist attraction business starts to fail, and a rival theme park opens nearby. The novel follows the three children as they struggle to keep their family together and their world intact, embarking on perilous journeys through the swamp and into the underworld.

    The 3029th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

    The novel tells the story of two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who are unknowingly bound to each other in a lifelong competition set up by their mentors. The stage for their contest is an enchanting, nocturnal circus that travels around the world, known as Le Cirque des Rêves. As the competition progresses, the pair fall in love, which leads to dangerous consequences and threatens the existence of the circus.

    The 3242nd Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. Her Body and Other Parties: Stories by Carmen Maria Machado

    "Her Body and Other Parties: Stories" is a collection of short stories that weave elements of psychological realism and science fiction to explore the realities of women's lives and the violence inflicted upon their bodies. The narratives range from a woman refusing to let her husband remove a green ribbon from around her neck, to a salesclerk in a mall making a horrifying discovery within the seams of the store's prom dresses. The book centers on women's experiences in their bodies, touching on themes of sexuality, gender, and the dynamics of power.

    The 3354th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. Stone Junction: An Alchemical Pot-Boiler by Jim Dodge

    This novel follows the life of Daniel Pearse, a young boy who becomes an apprentice in a secretive organization of outlaws, magicians, and gamblers known as AMO (the Alliance of Magicians and Outlaws). As Daniel learns the ways of the AMO, he embarks on a quest for a diamond rumored to possess magical properties. His journey is filled with a series of bizarre encounters and eccentric characters, blending elements of magic, mystery, and adventure.

    The 3605th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. So Far From God by Ana Castillo

    The novel is a vibrant and magical realist portrayal of the lives of a mother and her four daughters in the small town of Tome, New Mexico. Blending elements of Mexican-American folklore and contemporary issues, it tells the story of the family's struggles and triumphs, weaving in themes of cultural identity, feminism, and spirituality. The narrative is rich with the supernatural and the everyday, as the characters confront challenges such as illness, economic hardship, and personal loss, while also experiencing miraculous and extraordinary events. Through their journey, the book explores the intersection of tradition and modernity, and the resilience of women within a community.

    The 3703rd Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 17. Indigo by Marina Warner

    "Indigo" is a reimagining of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" set in the modern era. The book tells the story of a wealthy London businessman who is exiled to a Caribbean island where he uses his knowledge of science to control the environment and the island's inhabitants. His daughter, Miranda, grows up on the island, sheltered from the world and manipulated by her father's experiments. The story explores themes of colonialism, power, and the destructive potential of knowledge.

    The 3757th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 18. Stranger Things Happen by Kelly Link

    "Stranger Things Happen" is a collection of 11 captivating short stories that blend elements of horror, fantasy, and fairy tales. The narratives are filled with strange events and characters, such as a husband who disappears every time he goes for a swim and a TV show where ghosts are the main characters. The book explores the boundaries of reality and the supernatural, creating an eerie, dream-like atmosphere that leaves the reader questioning what is real and what is not.

    The 5028th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 19. Seventh Heaven by Alice Hoffman

    The novel is a captivating portrayal of suburban life in the late 1950s, where conformity and appearance are paramount. It follows the story of a divorced woman who moves into a tight-knit community, challenging the neighborhood's rigid norms and expectations. Her arrival sets off a chain of events that disrupts the seemingly perfect facade of the community, as she forms unlikely friendships and inspires other residents to confront their desires and fears. Through her influence, the characters embark on journeys of self-discovery and transformation, revealing the complexities and contradictions beneath the surface of suburban America.

    The 5106th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 20. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

    The book follows the lives of the Owens sisters, Sally and Gillian, who come from a long line of witches. Raised by their eccentric aunts after their parents' death, the sisters grow up learning about love and magic. However, they face an age-old curse that any man who falls in love with an Owens woman will meet a tragic end, leading them on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and a struggle to overcome their family's dark past.

    The 5301st Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 21. Mrs. Vargas And The Dead Naturalist by Kathleen Alcalá

    "Mrs. Vargas and the Dead Naturalist" is a collection of fourteen short stories that blend magical realism with Mexican-American cultural themes. The narratives delve into the lives of various characters, often women, as they navigate the complexities of their existence, intertwining the mundane with the supernatural. The stories explore themes of identity, tradition, and the intersection of the past with the present, revealing the rich tapestry of human experience through a lens that defies the ordinary and embraces the mystical elements of everyday life.

    The 5329th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 22. Against the Day by Thomas Pynchon

    The novel is a sprawling epic that spans the period from the 1893 World's Fair to the years following World War I. It follows the stories of several characters including the anarchist Traverse family, a group of balloonists, a detective, and a mathematician. The book explores themes of anarchism, capitalism, and technology, and incorporates elements of science fiction, adventure, and historical fiction. It is noted for its complex structure and dense, multifaceted narrative.

    The 5683rd Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 23. Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link

    "Magic for Beginners" is a collection of nine short stories that delve into the surreal and fantastical. The narratives are often set in strange, magical worlds, where the ordinary and mundane collide with the extraordinary and bizarre. The book explores themes of love, loss, and the blurred boundaries between reality and fantasy, often leaving the reader questioning their own perception of the world. The stories are wildly imaginative and often darkly humorous, offering a unique blend of magical realism and speculative fiction.

    The 5697th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 24. Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman

    The book is a collection of fictional dreams that are said to be experienced by Albert Einstein when he was working on his theory of relativity in 1905. Each dream presents a different concept of time: some dreams depict time as circular, others see it as flowing backwards, and some present a world where time stands still. The dreams are presented as thought experiments, exploring the nature of time and its impact on human life. The book is a blend of science, philosophy, and art, offering a unique and imaginative perspective on the nature of time.

    The 5817th Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 25. Dangerous Laughter by Steven Millhauser

    "Dangerous Laughter" is a collection of thirteen short stories that delve into the surreal and fantastical. Each narrative explores unique themes such as a town that becomes obsessed with silent laughter, a man who constructs an enormous tower in his backyard, or a group of teenagers who play a dangerous game of fainting. The stories are filled with rich imagery and intricate details, creating a world that is both familiar and strange, blurring the line between reality and illusion.

    The 5861st Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download