SOURCE: D'Haen, Theo L. “Magical Realism and Postmodernism: Decentering Privileged Centers.” In Magical Realism: Theory, History, Community, edited by Lois Parkinson Zamora and Wendy B. Faris, pp. 191-208. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1995.

In the following essay, D'Haen defines the origins of magical realism and postmodernism in literature, examining the use of the former in the works of Salman Rushdie and Angela Carter. D'Haen proposes that elements of magical realism and fantasy are often used by writers who are writing from a non-centric point of view.

Because the term “magic” or “magical realism” has persisted for over half a century but is not yet entirely current, it is useful to trace its origins and use briefly before situating the mode with regard to postmodernism.¹ Most commentators agree that it originated with the German art critic Franz Roh, who in 1925 coined the word to, and here I am...