fabulism
Fiction with fantastical elements
Fabulism is a style of fiction that weaves supernatural or fantastical elements into otherwise realistic settings.
Unlike fantasy, which builds alternate worlds, fabulism keeps one foot in the everyday—a village where time runs backward, a woman who gives birth to a rose.
The term overlaps with magical realism but tends toward the more overtly allegorical or fable-like: Her novels blend domestic drama with fabulism.
Fiction blending miraculous and mundane
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
fairy tale · legend · fantasy · surrealism · symbolism · metaphor · narrative · fiction
Symbolic tale with deeper meaning
- moralConcerning right conduct
- lessonUnit of teaching
- talking animalsFauna gifted with speech
- anthropomorphismAttributing personality to things
transformation · trickster · archetype · cautionary tale · symbolism · personification · didactic · storytelling
Supernatural or illusory power
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
- marvelousExtremely good, inspiring wonder
- dreamlikeHazy and fantastical
whimsical · otherworldly · supernatural · miraculous · extraordinary · ethereal · mystical · phantasmagoric
Misleading sensory impression
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- inventionNew device or method
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- exaggerationOverstating beyond reality
tall tale · fiction · imaginary · fantastical · implausible · mythmaking · confabulation · unreality
All gods of a religion
- deitiesWorshipped supernatural beings
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
- phoenixSelf-immolating, regenerating bird
- dragonLegendary fire-breathing reptile
sphinx · griffin · unicorn · shapeshifter · creation myth · origin story · hero · quest
magical realism
Fiction blending miraculous and mundane
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
folklore · fairy tale · legend · fantasy · surrealism · symbolism · metaphor · narrative · fiction · prose
allegory
Symbolic tale with deeper meaning
- moralConcerning right conduct
- lessonUnit of teaching
- talking animalsFauna gifted with speech
anthropomorphism · transformation · trickster · archetype · cautionary tale · symbolism · personification · didactic · storytelling · oral tradition
magic
Supernatural or illusory power
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
- marvelousExtremely good, inspiring wonder
dreamlike · whimsical · otherworldly · supernatural · miraculous · extraordinary · ethereal · mystical · phantasmagoric · surreal
illusion
Misleading sensory impression
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- inventionNew device or method
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
exaggeration · tall tale · fiction · imaginary · fantastical · implausible · mythmaking · confabulation · unreality · make-believe
pantheon
All gods of a religion
- deitiesWorshipped supernatural beings
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
- phoenixSelf-immolating, regenerating bird
dragon · sphinx · griffin · unicorn · shapeshifter · creation myth · origin story · hero · quest · underworld
fabulismrealism
Accepting things as they are
naturalism · social realism · kitchen sink realism · documentary fiction · literary realism
fabulismreality
What actually exists
truth · factuality · literalism · nonfiction · reportage