How did magical realism introduce new narrative styles to the novel?

Magical realism introduced a transformative narrative style to the novel by integrating fantastic, mythical, or extranatural elements into otherwise realistic fiction in a matter-of-fact manner. Rather than presenting the supernatural as an intrusion, this style depicts such occurrences from the perspective of characters who accept them as part of their reality, often rooted in indigenous, African, or religious traditions.123

This approach allowed authors to navigate the complexities of postcolonial identity by reconciling the "dueling realities" of the conqueror and the conquered. By merging regionalist themes with avant-garde techniques—such as surrealism—magical realism moved beyond the constraints of 19th-century realism. It enabled writers to use political allegory and myth to address historical trauma and sociopolitical issues, effectively demonstrating that, in literature, the truth can sometimes only be told through the lens of the fantastic. This style became a bridge to the modern Latin American novel, influencing global literature by proving that the surreal could be a powerful tool for chronicling history.123