If you’re not quite sure what this genre is, you’re not alone! The term isn’t well known, in fact, I don’t even know whether I made it up myself or whether the label is used more generally.
Either way, it describes some of what I write rather well (certainly the fiction and maybe even some of the non-fiction), so while the hat fits…

What is quirky realism?

The ‘realism’ part is key. Stories are presented as if they are entirely real, even though they are unusual, sometimes almost unbelievably so. But everything that happens is within the realms of possibility, which is typically what differentiates it from magical realism where something that might be considered impossible is presented as realism.

The ‘quirky’ part differentiates it from writing that is called speculative, magical, or weird, all of which have their own unique features. I have heard some writers use the label ‘unusual fiction’ instead of quirky realism, but the realism label in the latter is just as important as the quirky part because it emphasizes the realistic treatment of the story.

Are there sub-genres of quirky realism?

There are indeed. For example, there can be other elements and styles present that are used to describe the style, plot or characters such as literary fiction, adventure, crime, mystery, horror, comedy, etc.

Examples of quirky realism

When I think of the quirky realism genre, I find myself gravitating towards a movie like Fargo because everyone seems to know it. It’s odd in so many ways, but everything is completely believable.

For books I think of, well, Bertha’s Law which is typical of quirky realism. And if you know The 100 year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, that’s also a good fit. Also, A man Called Ove, which has strong literary features as well. And Damon Runyon, short story American writer, is very much in the quirky realism tradition.