A literary mode rather than a distinguishable genre, magical realism aims to seize the paradox of the union of opposites and is characterized by two conflicting perspectives, one based on a rational view of reality and the other on the acceptance of the supernatural as prosaic reality.
Magical realism differs from pure fantasy primarily because it is set in a normal, modern world with authentic descriptions of humans and society and involves the amalgamation of the real and the fantastic. It offers a world view that is not based on natural or physical laws nor objective reality, but is not separated from reality, either.
I’ve been using this term for a while now because I dislike “urban fantasy” as categorical heading — a feeling that shifts to outright loathing when it tries to associate itself with stories I’ve written.
Some people feel “magical realism” is to broad, but it’s always been my favorite term and descriptor. Urban fantasy is the mushy term, in my mind.
– c.