Practical Magic

ByAlice Hoffman

Release Date: 1995-06-13
Genre: Literary Fiction

Score: 4

From 966 Ratings

Description

*25th Anniversary Edition*—with an Introduction by the Author!

The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic.

For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic...

“Splendid...Practical Magic is one of [Hoffman's] best novels, showing on every page her gift for touching ordinary life as if with a wand, to reveal how extraordinary life really is.”—Newsweek

“[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible.”—Cosmopolitan

Reviews

Dumb Luck Magic
5
By karenindixie
I remember many years ago watching the movie Practical Magic and thinking I should read the book. I owe Ms. Hoffman an apology because it’s taken me this long (so embarrassing) to fulfill that promise. Books are always ever so much more enchanting than their movie counterparts. This world needs writers like Ms. Hoffman to give it that light, airy essence and quick wit so we can all be thrilled, smiling to our core, when the angst burns away at the end. Just dumb luck that I’m finishing this lovely book as I’ve embarked (finally) on my own writing adventure. If there is any chance my own efforts might result in 1/4 the impact? I think I would do somersaults on the front lawn…with most definite terrible results! Thank you, Ms. Hoffman!!!! From the bottom of my heart!
I always like the movie.. but
4
By saltymama
I always liked the movie, but I’d yet to read the book. The book was good, but it was like reading someone with ADHD’s rambles. It gets to the point, but you’re taking the long way there. Not my style, but I still enjoyed the story.
Meh…
3
By Elaineluvstigger
It was ok.
With Love 💕
5
By Boo_Dee
Absolutely a favorite and one that I will always return to. Even if you’ve seen the movie, read the book. I love them both. Enjoy xo
Slightly Disappointing
3
By Sorceress Sarah
I liked it but it’s one of the rare occurrences when the movie is better than the book.
Unimpressed
1
By gvictoriaj
I bought and read The Rules of Magic not even knowing it had a following book. I LOVED that book!! So I assumed I would love this too but it was nothing like what I thought it would be and barely had a story line?? It was mostly descriptive language for small details that could have been replaced by bigger events that could have taken place. I kept reading hoping for something big and it never came. Super disappointed I wish I would have just read the first book and left it at that.
Practical Magic
3
By janart2
Very slow moving book.
💞
5
By The_Cat_Burglar
Fantastic book, I love that in the second one she adds a ton more magic to the family. Have to see the movie now. :)
PRACTICAL MAGIC
3
By studio003
Rules of Magic was so good, this 2nd installmnent was dialed in without any of Hoffman’s classic beautiful writing. The movie was equally bad. Very disappointing.
Practical magic
5
By tashabanat
The movie was great, but the band ok is better. Maybe it is because I saw the movie first. All I know is I am not often reading, so when I love a book, I say so
Tasha Banat