Urban Fantasy can be anywhere from high to "realistic" type of fantasy story, as long as it takes place in the contemporary world. Like Harry Potter or a book that takes place in World of Darkness. It's this world, in this time, but everything's more magical, and the plot usually centers around the magic stuff.
Magical realism usually can't be high fantasy (ie no instant magical gratification that might come with magic wands or easy/fun stuff like that), and all of the magical elements involve something really uncommon, which makes the reader think of it as realistic, because it might happen, who knows? Magical realism is probably the least magical of all fantasy genres. If you've ever seen the movies Fairy Tale: A True Story, or The Legend of Roan Inish, I think of those as magical realism, because while technically they are about fairies/selkies, the plot isn't really centered around them, but normal humans who are living normal lives and just happen to be aware of their existence.
Urban fantasy: modern world, plot focused around magic stuff. Magical realism: modern world, plot focused around non-magic stuff with magic stuff in the background.
So I hope I explained that alright, and if so, I hope I'm not just making stuff up. :)
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timeasmymeasure
I'm not an expert or a lit major but...
Date: 2006-05-03 04:41 pm (UTC)Urban Fantasy can be anywhere from high to "realistic" type of fantasy story, as long as it takes place in the contemporary world. Like Harry Potter or a book that takes place in World of Darkness. It's this world, in this time, but everything's more magical, and the plot usually centers around the magic stuff.
Magical realism usually can't be high fantasy (ie no instant magical gratification that might come with magic wands or easy/fun stuff like that), and all of the magical elements involve something really uncommon, which makes the reader think of it as realistic, because it might happen, who knows?
Magical realism is probably the least magical of all fantasy genres. If you've ever seen the movies Fairy Tale: A True Story, or The Legend of Roan Inish, I think of those as magical realism, because while technically they are about fairies/selkies, the plot isn't really centered around them, but normal humans who are living normal lives and just happen to be aware of their existence.
Urban fantasy: modern world, plot focused around magic stuff.
Magical realism: modern world, plot focused around non-magic stuff with magic stuff in the background.
So I hope I explained that alright, and if so, I hope I'm not just making stuff up. :)