In The Invention of the World, Jack Hodgins invites us to consider an alternative dystopia in which fantasy and reality converge to create meaning and constancy in an otherwise chaotic existence . Unleashing an arsenal of characters into two parallel worlds, Hodgins attempts to uncover the mysteries of people and he delves into the paradoxical genre of magical realism, a term coined by Franz Roh in 1925, to do so. By focusing on characterization, The Invention of the World offers enough surrealism to provide fictional entertainment, while cleverly grounding its mythic narrative in a historically and realistically inspired reality. Specifically, Hodgins offers insight into the lives of a number of characters. Arguably, Maggie Kyle and Wade Powers achieve contentment on their pilgrimage to Ireland through introspection and inner enlightenment; conversely, Kineally and Becker seek to achieve constancy through manipulation, exploitation, and dependence on other people in their lives. Hodgin's novel traces the journey of these characters and evokes reflection on the effects of our choices on the long-term balance of our existence and our development. From the beginning of the story, the motif of travel predominates. As Becker "[waves] your car onto the government ferry ramp..." (vii) we are not only introduced to the setting, but also to the idea that Becker has some authority and some inclination to control this journey. As Becker researches, documents, and attempts to quantify the story of Donal Keneally and his rise as the founder of the "Truth Revelation Colony," we learn of his dissonance and inability to find contentment. Becker's energy during the pilgrimage "[was] crazy trying to take every... middle of paper...... 17). With Wade's turbulent waters finally settled by Maggie, this resounding rebirth allows both characters to realize a happiness that can only be found within. To conclude, Hodgins' spellbinding tale fuses reality with fiction, magic with reality, and chaos with romance. While Becker and Keneally ultimately fail in their attempts at creation, using pride and ambition as fuel toward constancy, Hodgins creates a poetic final scene in which Wade and Maggie Powers symbolically unite in marriage, ironically married by Horseman , Wade's wise enemy, in the midst of chaos. Through the insults thrown, the chainsaws wielded, the food fights, and the terrible music, Maggie is, significantly, able to “[stand] up, next to her husband, ready” (353). Through the magic of myth, Hodgins teaches us to find a place where we can be content, enjoy who we are, and appreciate the important people around us..