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5. In your opinion, does magical realism translate well to all forms? (novels, short stories, films, television, stage)

M. ELIZA HAMILTON ABEGUNDE, Writer/Healing Facilitator, Chicago, IL

I'm not sure about the stage only because I have not experienced that yet.

KELLI RUSSELL AGODON, Poet/Mother/Editor, Washington State/USA

Definitely yes to novels, short stories and films. Sometimes in TV; Ally McBeal was the first that came to mind regarding magical realism, though it borders as so much of that was just in her head.

FORREST AGUIRRE, inventory analyst and managing editor for Ministry of Whimsy press, Madison, WI

Absolutely. David Lynch, Brother's Quay, etc. have done work that might be considered 'magical realism.'

DOUG ANDERSON, Editor, KLANG, Seattle, WA

Yes, it seems to.

ANONYMOUS, translator, Spain

Yes, it translates well in languages, novels, short stories, practically any media excepting the stage as the settings are very important. With today's technology it is possible to recreate scenarios that enhance magical realism. The stage is rather more difficult to use as the contents are as important as the container.

JOE BENEVENTO, Professor of English, Truman State University and writer (fiction and poetry), Kirksville, MO
jbeneven@truman.edu

Probably works best for novels and short fiction; probably some interesting things can be done with movies. Probably works least well on stage or in poetry, but I'm willing to be surprised.

DARIO CIRIELLO, decorative painter, US

Certainly.

ELLEN DATLOW, fiction editor, US

I'd think it would be more difficult on stage but with the right sensibility writing and/or producing it (in film and TV) it could translate extremely well. And an exception to the rule on stage is Julie Taymor. She produces brilliant magical realism for the stage.

GLENDA GUEST, writer/academic, Australia
glendaguest@ozemail.com.au

Novel, short story, definitely. Film and television need really careful handling so that it doesn't deteriorate into fantasy or that weird stuff that happens on the Ally McBeal-type popular television. Can't see how it could be effectively handled on stage, for the same reason.

Maybe something will evolve from the literary term/form, which itself has its roots in the art terminology.

JAY MISKOWIEC, publisher & professor of English, Mpls. Community and Technical College, Minneapolis, MN
information@aliformgroup.com

I saw a play based on GGM's 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' at the Children's Theater in Minneapolis, and it was very good. I've also seen a number of movies made in Colombia based on his work that were horrendous. It depends upon the artist himself/herself.

DON MUCHOW, sales, Dallas, TX
muchow@earthlink.net

I believe it translates well into media that allow a strong 'visual' element, including novels and short stories, and film. Less so for television and stage.

DORENE O'BRIEN, writing teacher

I think it certainly can with the right talent behind the project. I think the novels and stories of García Márquez and Allende and Borges (and many others) speak well for those genres, and I believe that films such as Like Water for Chocolate demonstrate magical realism's visual versatility. While I believe a stage translation is certainly possible I think it would be much more difficult considering the special effects that are integral to the delivery. A television translation may be most difficult of all based not on adaptation but on the demographic of the audience.

JOHN PROHASKA, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
muchow@earthlink.net

Again, the genre has no limitations in purpose nor in its medium. Rather the inverse; by not being tethered so tightly to traditional reality, it has fewer limitations.

SARAH WEBB QUEST, freelance writer, South Yarmouth, MA

Another hell yes! Evidence the television shows, Dead Like Me and Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- and the film The Sixth Sense!

KEN RAND, "semi-fulltime writer;" dayjob: part-time library shelver, West Jordan, UT
KRand27577@aol.com

Yes. You've mentioned form. Story exists in whatever form -- all that is required is teller and tellee. Magic realism is a natural story form, unbounded by form.

JUSTINA ROBSON, writer, UK

I haven't been exposed to enough variety of form to make a choice.

MARJORIE ROMMEL, Publicist/Media Relations Consultant, City of Auburn, Washington; Teacher, Pacific Lutheran University (Poetry), Pierce College (Fiction/Biography), Highline College (Creative Writing), Auburn, WA
mrommel@qwest.net

We have seen it operate well in all these forms, and also in poetry -- perhaps the supreme example -- as well as on the internet.

GARRETT ROWLAN, substitute teacher, US
growlan@jps.net

No, I think literary magical realism is the only way to go. I think it's a genre that needs the alembic of the imagination, which only works in a literary manner. Movies like Like Water for Chocolate were a bore. Magic realism in the visual arts -- that is, painting -- works well but I don't know if that's really magic realism.

ANDY SAWYER, librarian and lecturer, Liverpool, England
a.p.sawyer@liverpool.ac.uk

I see it as a literary rather than visual form, but I'm open to argument. I'm not sure that TV or stage drama captures that hesitation between reality and the fantastic, but I suppose it CAN do.

TAMARA KAYE SELLMAN, editor and publisher/MARGIN

Its original form took its cues from a movement of visual art (post-Expressionism), so literary MR is already a mutation of something else. I think such evolutions are exciting and demonstrate the elasticity and limitless nature of the human imagination. Why not try magical realism in every arena, see what transpires?

BARBARA STEINHAUSER, writer, Parker, CO

Yes.

ISAAC SWEENEY, full-time journalist, full-time grad student (English, creative writing concentration), Harrisburg, VA
lovefaithhopedreams@hotmail.com

I've never seen anything done on stage. Otherwise, I'm always interested in seeing new forms. As a movie-oholic, I appreciate films that make the attempt, but I think they will never make the achievements that literary forms have made. There's not enough detail that can go into a film to make it work as well.

Go To Poll Question #6

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