Alice Hoffman

"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."--GoodReads

Bk. 1

Practical Magic

A New York Times and National Bestseller
A Warner major motion picture

For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that went wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally endured that fate: 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 darkened house and their love concoctions and their crowd of black cats. All Gillian and Sally wanted to do was escape. One would do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they shared brought them back to each other, and to the magic they couldn’t escape. A delicious novel about witches and real love, family life and everyday spells. A literary incantation.

Cassidy Nolan

Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Add pepper to your mashed potatoes. Plant roses and lavender, for luck. Fall in love whenever you can.

Mateja

"Nevolje su poput ljubavi; ulaze nenajavljene i preuzimaju sve u svoje ruke prije no što se stigneš predomisliti ili uopće razmisliti."

"Ipak, ima nekih stvari koje Sally pouzdano zna: uvijek baci malo soli preko lijevog ramena. Posadi ružmarin pokraj ulaza u vrt. Dodaj papra u pire od krumpira. Posadi ruže i jorgovan, za sreću. Zaljubi se kad god možeš." 

Sydney

One of my favorite movies growing up so I decided to read the book. I really enjoyed reading it. Lots of differences from the movie

Leah Diaz 

Liked the plot. Narration was good. Wish it wasn't so "theyre all strong women but their weakness is love and men" and more centered around magic; other than that it was a good book. 

Tsu 💙

*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 and Magic Lessons. 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

Gelaine Trinidad

3.5/5

a good companion piece to the film adaptation of  Practical Magic  directed by Griffin Dunne.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ 𖤓  There are some things, after all, that Sally Owens knows for certain: Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Add pepper to your mashed potatoes. Plant roses and lavender, for luck. Fall in love whenever you can. 𖤓 ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

I read this years ago after seeing the movie, and remembered enjoying it, so figured I would give it a reread. For me, this is the rare case of the movie being better than the book. The plot slogs along with little to no magical feel, contrary to the movie. Sad to say I was disappointed.

Megan Murray 

I’m sorry, Hoffman. Personally, I don’t understand the hype. For a book with so much summary, it sure does like to jump forward without staying too long in one place. Could be a nod to the characters and how eager they are to run away from their witchy heritage. Definitely a lot of weird stuff going on, but you really don’t get to see them practicing it all that much since Sally and Gillian want nothing to do with it. Also, someone described it as “cozy” and “autumnal,” and it is not even close to either of those descriptors. 

Adelia French

Katie Avila

Practical magic

Erik Wallace

I picked this book randomly from the EW New Classics Book list. I noticed almost all the books from the list I had already read were written by men, so to shake things up I picked this book. The story would probably be more interesting to women than men, but it was still entertaining and a page turner. 

One other thought. Since nobody I know recommended this book, I knew nothing going in. I had a notion from the title that by magic it might be along the lines of fantasy and Harry Potter. I was wrong. If anything the plot was more similar to Alice Sebold's Lovely Bones. It was unexpected but it was nice to have no idea what I was getting into as I opened the book.

I am the kind of person who HATES descriptive books. the kind of books where  they take a whole page to describe a setting is an immediate turn-off for me. this book did exactly that, and STILL managed to hook me in. 

I actually read Alice Hoffman previously, as a kid. The book was Nightbird, and I after I finished it, I declared it to be the most beautiful book I've ever read in my life. I was 11 then. I still believe it to be true 5 years later. Which is why I decided to actively search out young-adult novels by this amazing writer. 

Like I said earlier, this book is pretty descriptive, but it never managed to bore me. I actually couldn't even finish many classics because of how descriptive they were (lookin at you, Lord of the Rings). 

This book narrates the story of 2 generations of the Owens women, a family of witches. It beautifully illustrates the heartbreak and anguish of the characters, all while telling a bewitching story (pun intended) of sisterhood and family. It details the good, the bad and the ugly of having sisters. 

Also I'm seeing people give this like 2 stars bc it isn't as good as the movie or something (i didn't watch the movie but I loved the book)

overall, I wouldn't say it changed my life or anything, but, would recommend if you like a cozy fantasy-romance-drama with a tiny tiny bit of murder. 

mahek 

I am the kind of person who HATES descriptive books. the kind of books where  they take a whole page to describe a setting is an immediate turn-off for me. this book did exactly that, and STILL managed to hook me in. 

I actually read Alice Hoffman previously, as a kid. The book was Nightbird, and I after I finished it, I declared it to be the most beautiful book I've ever read in my life. I was 11 then. I still believe it to be true 5 years later. Which is why I decided to actively search out young-adult novels by this amazing writer. 

Like I said earlier, this book is pretty descriptive, but it never managed to bore me. I actually couldn't even finish many classics because of how descriptive they were (lookin at you, Lord of the Rings). 

OKAY HERES THE ACTUAL REVIEW LOL

This book narrates the story of 2 generations of the Owens women, a family of witches. It beautifully illustrates the heartbreak and anguish of the characters, all while telling a bewitching story (pun intended) of sisterhood and family. It details the good, the bad and the ugly of having sisters. 

Also I'm seeing people give this like 2 stars bc it isn't as good as the movie or something (i didn't watch the movie but I loved the book)

overall, I wouldn't say it changed my life or anything, but, would recommend if you like a cozy fantasy-romance-drama with a tiny tiny bit of murder. 

The beloved classic novel, the basis of the classic film starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. A perfect read for cosy Christmas nights! As children, sisters Gillian and Sally were forever outsiders in their small New England town, teased, taunted and shunned for the air of magic that seems to sparkle in the air around them. All Gillian and Sally ever wanted was to get away. And eventually they do - one marries, the other runs as far from home as she can manage. Years later, however, tragedy will bring the sisters back together. And they’ll find that no matter what else may happen, they’ll always have each other. An enchanting tale of love, forgiveness and family, Practical Magic is beloved of readers of all ages. *~*~*Readers love Practical Magic*~*~* ‘[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible’ Cosmopolitan ‘What do you do when your long lost little sister shows up on your suburban front step… a dead man in the Oldsmobile that’s blocking your driveway? …You help her bury him in your backyard, underneath a wilting lilac bush that will suddenly spring back to life, bearing masses of heady flowers that remind everyone who passes by of desires they thought they’d long since stifled’ Vogue ‘Dark comedy and a light touch carry the story along to a truly Gothic climax, complete with heaving skies and witchery on the lawn’ New York Times 'A scrim of magic lies gently over [this] fictional world, in which lilacs bloom riotously in July, a lovesick boy's elbows sizzle on a diner countertop and a toad expectorates a silver ring...' Publishers Weekly

The Beloved Novel of Love, Friendship, Sisterhood and Magic

So…. The book is not nearly as whimsical and witchy and charming as the movie.

If it was only the last 30%, it wouldn’t be so bad. The problem is the first 70%, which contains a lot more f-bombs and threats of sexual assault from every boy or man in town on multiple generations of Owens women. That really soured my enjoyment. Plus, the aunts aren’t featured as much as I would have expected, and flashbacks are thrown throughout, which made the timeline confusing in places.

All in all, the sort of book where you’ll likely need a palate cleanser afterwards.

Liz Griffin

So…. The book is not nearly as whimsical and witchy and charming as the movie.

If it was only the last 30%, it wouldn’t be so bad. The problem is the first 70%, which contains a lot more f-bombs and threats of sexual assault from every boy or man in town on multiple generations of Owens women. That really soured my enjoyment. Plus, the aunts aren’t featured as much as I would have expected, and flashbacks are thrown throughout, which made the timeline confusing in places.

All in all, the sort of book where you’ll likely need a palate cleanser afterwards.

Claire Cantlon

3.8/5. my least favorite out of this series but still good.

Evelina

I liked the story, but it wasn't something I would usually enjoy so there were things I didn't like. Like how come every single man fell in love with the sisters? And the way both Gary and Ben fell in love so fast? To me it only seemed that they felt only physical attraction at first, but maybe they felt that way because it was destined to happen? Idk, but what I did like about this book was the relationships between all of the Owens family women.

Brittany Jenkins

Such a perfect October/Halloween read! I was drawn into the narrative very quickly and looked forward to picking the book up every day. I enjoyed Hoffman's writing style and structure for this novel - it often felt like magic weaving in and out through multiple viewpoints and character stories to create a beautiful tapestry. I usually don't read much magical realism, but after this one, I look forward to trying out the genre more! 

The ending felt a little anticlimactic, and I would have liked to spend more time with how it ended. But nonetheless, the ending and the relationships between the Owens family left my heart feeling warm and happy. Overall, I loved it and can't wait to continue with the others in the series at some point!

Kristen Claiborn

This is a prime example of why I prefer to read the book prior to watching the movie. I'd much rather be disappointed in a movie than the book on which it was based. I absolutely loved the movie! It starred a couple of my favorite actresses, shenanigans, and some magic (plus midnight margaritas...who doesn't love midnight margaritas?). YEARS later I finally got around to reading the book and about threw it across the room because it was so different. This is my fault, it is not the fault of either the author of this book nor the makers of the movie. They both did a fantastic job. 
 Moving forward, however, I will strive to read the book first and remember to view a screen adaptation as a completely separate entity.

Izza

4 stars | this book is very different from the movie (which is one of my absolute favourite).

The ending was absolutely adorable. Although the climax was a little too creepy, it was very very exciting. BUT, the book was very confusing. At first, I had a hard time telling the present apart from the future. And I was a little confused at first between Gillian & Sally. But in time, I got used to it. The characters are really really amazing. You can actually feel what they were feeling. And I cannot believe I'm going to say this, but the film is actually better than the book.

Gisela Ayala 

More like 3.5 - it was a lovely read. I don't usually like overly descriptive passages but with the setting in Practical Magic just worked. Hoffman's words were as bewitching as the title. I always loved the movie and actually never read the book. *gasp* I know, I know. I usually always read the book first, but cut 7-year-old Gisela some slack. I wasn't reading Alice Hoffman books when I was 7 although, now that I think of it, I was watching the movie - my childhood wasn't THAT censored. But I've grown up into a perfectly responsible and respectable adult, and now I have no idea where I was going with this. Oh yes... 

If you have seen the movie first and then read the book, get ready, because the movie is based on the book but took many liberties with the how the story is played out. The premise is the same, but the book takes place over several years- for example, Sally's daughters grow up all the way to be teenagers while in the movie they stay as elementary-aged children. 

Either way, the book was an experience and I'm looking forward to reading more of Hoffman's books.

The beloved classic novel, the basis of the classic film starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. A perfect read for a cosy Christmas! As children, sisters Gillian and Sally were forever outsiders in their small New England town, teased, taunted and shunned for the air of magic that seems to sparkle in the air around them. All Gillian and Sally ever wanted was to get away. And eventually they do - one marries, the other runs as far from home as she can manage. Years later, however, tragedy will bring the sisters back together. And they'll find that no matter what else may happen, they'll always have each other. An enchanting tale of love, forgiveness and family, Practical Magic is beloved of readers of all ages. *~*~*Readers love Practical Magic*~*~* '[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible' Cosmopolitan 'What do you do when your long lost little sister shows up on your suburban front step... a dead man in the Oldsmobile that's blocking your driveway? ...You help her bury him in your backyard, underneath a wilting lilac bush that will suddenly spring back to life, bearing masses of heady flowers that remind everyone who passes by of desires they thought they'd long since stifled' Vogue 'Dark comedy and a light touch carry the story along to a truly Gothic climax, complete with heaving skies and witchery on the lawn' New York Times 'A scrim of magic lies gently over [this] fictional world, in which lilacs bloom riotously in July, a lovesick boy's elbows sizzle on a diner countertop and a toad expectorates a silver ring...' Publishers Weekly

Cheri McElroy

The true magic of the Owens family is helping us connect with such rich, complex characters. I enjoyed seeing each one becoming comfortable with themselves and with love.

Celeste Richardson

Full review now posted!

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Some people love Halloween, but don’t enjoy being frightened. This book is perfect for them; its magical and uncanny and feels perfect for fall. There are ghosts, supposed witches, magical gardens, and lots of black cats. And the entire story revolves around the women of the Owens family, their unusual attractiveness and their troubles with love. Even though the story transpires over years and every season, it feels quintessentially autumnal. There is a pretty famous movie adaptation of this book, which I haven't yet seen, but if it's anything like the novel that inspired it I'm sure it would be a fun, cozy movie to watch right around Halloween.

The Owens women are unlike anyone else. They’re all almost unnaturally beautiful, each in a completely unique way. They draw men to themselves like flies are drawn to honey. Gillian and Sally, orphaned sisters who are raised by their unusual aunts. They were given an uncommon amount of freedom, which affects both girls different. Gillian is a wild child, who as an adult seems allergic to setting down roots anywhere or with anyone. Sally, on the other hand, has struggled to give her own daughters a perfectly normal life, in a town where no one knows her unusual family history. But trouble manages to find her anyway, in the form of her wayward sister. 

How Gillian and Sally, along with Sally’s daughters, deal with the fallout from Gillian’s past is the central action of the story. But the central theme of the story is surrendering to love, especially when you least expected it. Which is a theme that honestly makes me roll my eyes and groan internally. I hate insta-love stories. I believe in lust or infatuation at first sight and love at first conversation, but I don’t believe that you can instantly fall in love with a person based solely on their appearance. Insta-love was a definite factor in this novel, and I’ll admit to some eye-rolling. But it’s a cute little romance that I enjoyed in spite of groaning on occasion.

There was a lot to enjoy in this book. The writing style was lovely; there something gentle and sweet about the flow of the prose. The narrative was vivid and lush and compelling. I could smell the lavender and feel breezes with no known source brush my face and taste magic sizzling on my tongue. The pace meandered, but the story unfolded quickly enough to prevent the tale from feeling slow. It was a fun, sweet, short novel, and perfect for readers looking to get into the Halloween spirit without being scared in the process.

Original review can be found at Booknest.

I really like it. The writing is pretty good and I was sucked in the story instantly.I haven't watched the movie, but this had some nostalgic vibes that made me enjoy the story, but other than that I'm afraid I'll forget this pretty soon so I'm rating it only 3 stars.
It has some well written and complicated family relations. Short but good.

Clara Moore

This was a fun, easy, witchy read. It is very different from the movie and if you love the movie I'd actually say maybe skip the book on this one. But I enjoyed the book. It is more about relationships than witchcraft.

“You never know what you want or need until you are old, for old age is a mystery that is impossible to unwind until you step into its maze.”

This book felt like laying down of a field in a warm summer day, gazing up at clouds and birds; the smell of the drying grass or like reading a favourite novel in front of a fireplace, the light and crackling sound of burning candles all around you.

The prose made the lenght of the book not a problem at all, Hoffman spun every word with precision and wove such melodic sentences they felt like spells themselves.

I'm not usually and enjoyer of romance books, but I was entranced by the voice of theaudiobook narrator as they felt like honey, gliding perfectly toghether and dancing in my mind to create vivid images.

One element that I appreciated quite thoroughly, were the many folk remedies and folk recepies the author sprinkled throughout the novel, they gave the writing such charm and helped the story to feel more grounded in "reality". They helped also since the books spans various generations so it gave me the sensation of listening to a real diary that i could have found in a dusty attic.

The nature could also be considerend another charachter for Hoffman can describe it by it's most charming and tender aspects, giving life to natural elements and bringing them on the same plane as the humans; it felt like reading a beautiful folk tale (the best way I can explain it is that the book ans nature felt like The Thing by Sufjan Stevens, and I loved it) .

I enjoyed the charachters too, they were extremely charming (although the age gap between two of them made me a bit uncomfortable, but I do understand the time and setting kind of play a role in that) and I found myself thinking about them in the days after finishing the novel; Maria, Hanna, Faith they all were very well flashed out and unique, all they did they did because of their personalities and nothing was out of charachter, even the negative aspects were in charachter and the arks of each charachter was satisfactory.

The romance didn't overtake the plot at all, instead it helped it to move forward and to give it colour so I'd think that this book could work even for non romance enjoyers.

I was captured by Maria's strength, by the many relationships that can bloom or reap between women in a society plasmated by men (1600s Salem); I was on the edge of my seat and hopeful, angry, sad and thoughtful, and I enjoyed every emotion.

There was a little lull towards the end of the book, but the ending made it worth it.

Overall, I loved this book and I think it will hold a special place in my heart as someone very close to nature and folk traditions.

blake

“You never know what you want or need until you are old, for old age is a mystery that is impossible to unwind until you step into its maze.”

This book felt like laying down of a field in a warm summer day, gazing up at clouds and birds; the smell of the drying grass or like reading a favourite novel in front of a fireplace, the light and crackling sound of burning candles all around you.

The prose made the lenght of the book not a problem at all, Hoffman spun every word with precision and wove such melodic sentences they felt like spells themselves.
I'm not usually and enjoyer of romance books, but I was entranced by the voice of theaudiobook narrator as they felt like honey, gliding perfectly toghether and dancing in my mind to create vivid images.


One element that I appreciated quite thoroughly, were the many folk remedies and folk recepies the author sprinkled throughout the novel, they gave the writing such charm and helped the story to feel more grounded in "reality". They helped also since the books spans various generations so it gave me the sensation of listening to a real diary that i could have found in a dusty attic.
The nature could also be considerend another charachter for Hoffman can describe it by it's most charming and tender aspects, giving life to natural elements and bringing them on the same plane as the humans; it felt like reading a beautiful folk tale (the best way I can explain it is that the book ans nature felt like The Thing by Sufjan Stevens, and I loved it) .

I enjoyed the charachters too, they were extremely charming (although the age gap between two of them made me a bit uncomfortable, but I do understand the time and setting kind of play a role in that) and I found myself thinking about them in the days after finishing the novel; Maria, Hanna, Faith they all were very well flashed out and unique, all they did they did because of their personalities and nothing was out of charachter, even the negative aspects were in charachter and the arks of each charachter was satisfactory.

The romance didn't overtake the plot at all, instead it helped it to move forward and to give it colour so I'd think that this book could work even for non romance enjoyers.
I was captured by Maria's strength, by the many relationships that can bloom or reap between women in a society plasmated by men (1600s Salem); I was on the edge of my seat and hopeful, angry, sad and thoughtful, and I enjoyed every emotion.

There was a little lull towards the end of the book, but the ending made it worth it.

Overall, I loved this book and I think it will hold a special place in my heart as someone very close to nature and folk traditions.

Manda

Not like the movie 

I got this thinking it was like the movie it was so different and because of this I can't give it a five star sorry I know the book came first but I was uncomfortable with it.

If you’ve seen the movie don’t read this thinking it’s similar. They are loosely inspired by at best. 

Practical Magic Bk. 1

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