Magical Realism

Despite the objectivity often maintained, perhaps even expected, by historical fiction, The Passion is often penetrated by events both fantastical and miraculous. This begins with subtlety, as a story told by Patrick to Henri. Patrick tells of his telescopic eye and the goblin magic which shrank his shoes. The dynamic continues with Villanelle, who narrates the mystical origin of Venetian boatmen and the nature of her webbed feet. At this point the stories, however, are just stories. They lack third-party confirmation.

Magic becomes "real" as stories converge. Both narrators confirm the existence of Domino's unmelting icicle. Henri notes Villanelle's missing heartbeat and, eventually, its return. Henri also sees Villanelle's webbed feet and observes as she uses them to walk on water. At this point the fantastic becomes fact, a tale which can be verified by a third-party perspective.

Despite the magical component, the world of The Passion...