Magical Realism

López-Calvo (Latin American literature, Univ. of California, Merced; Roberto Bolaño, a Less Distant Star: Critical Essays) offers essays concerned with criticisms of magical realism and an analysis of both "seminal as well as lesser known" work in the genre. His introduction states that the category is most strongly affiliated with Latin America, but that this book includes global examples of literature that uses the magical realism style. Four essays lead the examination, defining and placing magical realism in historical, social, and critical context. The remaining nine pieces focus largely on specific works (some look at more than one) often within a cultural/geographical placement of this prose style. Some film examples are included, too. Surprisingly, a U.S. contemporary in the genre (Sarah Addison Allen) is not mentioned and the index doesn't contain a reference to the United States. Certainly volumes and scholarly articles already exist on specific works and authors (e.g., Salman Rushdie) geography (e.g., Canada), and themes (e.g., violence). Those libraries owning Maggie Ann Bowers's Magic(al) Realism or Lois Parkinson Zamora and Wendy B. Faris's Magic(al) Realism: Theory, History, Community may still wish to pick up this Salem volume for additional and more up-to-date coverage. Pleasantly, purchase of this print book nets the library the e-version for free, cosearchable within the library's existing Salem Press literature ebooks.