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Practical Magic

3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 · rating details · 18,801 ratings · 1,372 reviews

For more than two hundred years, the Owens women had been blamed for everything that went wrong in their Massachusetts town. And Gillian and Sally endured that fate as well; as children, the sisters were outsiders. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, but all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One would do so by marrying, the other

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Paperback, 317 pages

Published June 1st 1996 by Berkley (first published 1995)

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May 12, 2013 Mike (the Paladin) rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I was a little hesitant about the rating to give this book. There are what I would call, good moments. Mostly I don't care for it. There is an odd streak of amorality underlying it (I can just hear someone asking "who's morals are you talking about"). You have the two old ladies referred to as "the aunts" who raise a young girl to be selfish, obstinate, and rebellious (treating these as the best of good desirable traits) and then wondering that tragedy follows. There are shifting personalities i...more

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Jul 02, 2008 Leah rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

[Review written by my high school self]
I used to love the movie for this book, and I didn’t even know until after I had seen it that it was originally in book form. After finally getting a copy of the book and reading it, something magical happened: I didn’t know which one I liked better. Usually, having to decide favorites between the book and the movie is very easy. Except in the case of Grisham's The Pelican Brief, I almost always prefer the book versions. In some cases (as with Gone with th ...more [Review written by my high school self]
I used to love the movie for this book, and I didn’t even know until after I had seen it that it was originally in book form. After finally getting a copy of the book and reading it, something magical happened: I didn’t know which one I liked better. Usually, having to decide favorites between the book and the movie is very easy. Except in the case of Grisham's The Pelican Brief, I almost always prefer the book versions. In some cases (as with Gone with the Wind and Scarlett), I simply refuse to see the movie, while in other cases (like The Great Gatsby and Jurassic Park) I prefer the book hands-down though the movie versions are certainly more than tolerable. With Hoffman’s Practical Magic, I just don’t know.

Part of the reason for this anomaly in my reading life may be the fact that the movie and book bear little resemblance to each other. Here is what is in the book that is also in the movie: the names of the characters (which in itself is a bit skewered), and the fact that this all has to do with witches, family, and magic. That’s about it. Other than that, even the basic plotline is very different. I can understand how the movie might need to condense the plotline to fit its regular two hours, but this plotline has been almost completely altered.

Unlike the movie, the book gives more equal attention to each of the sister protagonists, Sally and Gillian. This was both a good and a bad thing for me, due to my fascination with the characters and my partiality towards actress Sandra Bullock, who plays Sally in the movie version. The aunts, who are prominently figured in the movie as well, appear only as absent characters throughout most of the book. The children, Antonia and Kylie (their names are switched in the movie), are much older than their elementary school-age movie counterparts, and have very deep and intriguing characterizations that are lacking from the movie. Overall, the book does a better job of observing and presenting the importance, history, and closeness of sisterly relationships.

Hoffman’s writing has an utterly absorbing lyrical and poetic quality to it that I greatly admire. I ate this book up, partly because I was pushing for the protagonist Sally’s vindication (a point made in such a focused and concentrated manner in the movie), and partly because Hoffman’s writing is just superb and catching. I swallowed down pieces of this book for hours at a time, and would have to literally shake myself out of the mood of it all if I were so RUDELY interrupted. =)

The “magic” is of a different kind in the book, less magical in some senses, and focusing more on clairvoyance and intuition, a point much easier made and mystified in book form. Hoffman takes full charge of this, infusing this in every sentence of her text, and making the readers literary clairvoyants in their own sense. The predictability and unpredictability of this story makes it a book that can be read as I did in one gulp as I did or in a strolling leisurely fashion without losing anything of the book’s power or meaning.

Without a doubt, the movie has tainted, and at the same time, enhanced my reading of the book, so much so that I don’t even have a suggestion as to which medium persons should expose themselves to first. Should you read the book after seeing the movie, though, there are some things you should keep in mind. Certainly, one of the main things to remember is that Hoffman’s Gillian is no Nicole Kidman. Another thing to remember is that the movie, because of its required brevity, only touches upon the deep psychological implications and character insight of the book. Most importantly, the book characters don’t get wasted on midnight margaritas and dance around the dinner table to Harry Nillson’s “Coconut” song.
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Nov 17, 2010 Gina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, paranormal-supernatural, romance, romantic-suspense

There are some things, after all, that Sally Owens knows for certain…

When their parents died, Sally stepped up to bat, calming the sitter down long enough to have her riffle through her mother’s address book and called the aunts. If the aunts didn’t step up to the plate, Sally and Gillian would become wards of the state.

The aunts took them in. While growing up, Sally and Gillian are teased and tormented while growing up, asll all Owens daughters are. Gillian, the youngest, rude and selfish, runs...more There are some things, after all, that Sally Owens knows for certain…

When their parents died, Sally stepped up to bat, calming the sitter down long enough to have her riffle through her mother’s address book and called the aunts. If the aunts didn’t step up to the plate, Sally and Gillian would become wards of the state.

The aunts took them in. While growing up, Sally and Gillian are teased and tormented while growing up, asll all Owens daughters are. Gillian, the youngest, rude and selfish, runs away at 18. Sally, ever so smart, calm and responsible, has done nothing but take care of them all, cleaning, laundry, healthy meals. She meets a man, falls in love and has two beautiful girls, Antonia and Kylie.

When her husband dies, remained in bed for year before she finally awakens and begins fresh. She’s tired of the life she lives while in the aunts’ house; Kylie, the youngest, is much like Sally, while Antonia is growing up just as spoiled, rude and selfish as her aunt Gillian. Desperate for a change, she buys a house on Long Island and moves the girls away.

And just when the monotony of life feels comfortable to Sally, Gillian shows up at her door in the middle of the night, her mean and abusive boyfriend, Jimmy, stone cold dead in the passenger seat of his car. In the heat of the moment, it’s decided they’d bury Jimmy in the back yard.

And that’s when their lives completely change…

While I thought the story was good, I had a hard time with it. Yes, the characters were interesting, watching them grow, and change from who they were to someone better, learning about themselves as they go along. When Hoffman wanted her character to be rude, the character was; happy, sad, determined… You could feel everything with the characters.

But I had such a difficult time reading this one. There were no chapters, only four parts - which made it a long story with no breathing room. It was getting to the point where my attention was wandering and I wanted to skim the pages, which I barely refrained from doing. There was no separation between scenes from the past, present, and future; it’s reading memories as each of the characters are in focus, or what’s to come later. And no differentiation between characters, either. And for me, that’s a huge fault, and it took away from the book. I hate to say it, but if I’d read the book first, I may have never had the urge to watch the movie. And I own the movie on VHS and DVD.

However, I thought the feelings and lessons learned were beautiful. How each learned to love, forgive, forget, changing themselves into a better person, is the best part of the story. I’m rating this one 3.5 stars - I say read it and come to your own conclusions.(less)

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Sep 12, 2011 Mandy Jo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nineties-nostalgia

This week’s headline? Call the corners

Why this book? break for fiction

Which book format? used first edition

Primary reading environment? on the couch

Any preconceived notions? love the movie

Identify most with? right now, Sally

Three-word quote? “years of practice”

Goes well with? vegan ice cream

Fans of the Sandra Bullock movie will be pleased to know that, although there are many disparities between the novel and the screenplay, margaritas are definitely present in the book.

Granted, they’re not call...more

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Jan 10, 2009 bookczuk rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bookcrossing, favorite-author, worth-the-reread, didn-t-want-to-put-it-down

I just love this book, really. It makes me smile just to think about it. I've read it twice now, and in a year or so will be ready for a re-read. The movie is good, too, but I love the book best, An Utterly Delightful novel about the magic of life.

From the Publisher
Practical Magic is a tale of two sisters, Gillian and Sally Owens, brought up by their two elderly guardian aunts in a world of spells and exotica from which they eventually escape - one by running away, the other by marrying - but wh...more

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Apr 13, 2013 Florence MacIntosh rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Lovers of Adult Fairytales

Recommended to Florence by: Theresa

Shelves: 2013, magical-realism, indulge, reviewed

Remember being addicted to dark fairytales like Aesop’s & Grimm’s as a kid? Then at around ten figuring it’s time you grew up, setting them aside & heading over to the library teen section? Have you missed them all these years? Check out magical realism. Hey, the same twisted supernatural tales, riddled with conflict & hidden meanings –repackaged for grownups!
Practical Magic was published long before another of this genre I just read - Garden Spells - they’re both good and pretty si...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Claire Beresford rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: tv-movies, a-magical-life

For the first time ever in the world of book to film I thought the film was much better. I liked the nice aunts and the fact that Sally and Gillian stayed in their home town. However, without comparing it to the film, it was an enjoyable read; great depth that the film did not give. It was presented from all sides, including the new generation in Sally's children, this gives you an inside scoop to everyone's thoughts and actions. I believe the characters gets a little boring in the middle of the...more

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May 22, 2012 M rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have always wanted to read this book - I don't know why I waited to so long. And it did not disappoint me... I think the tone of the narration was extraordinary: it would have been so easy for Hoffman to tip into exposition and too much information, but she skillfully revealed just enough to make the characters rich and vivid, and push the story forward. I loved Sally - I really felt for her, and wanted a happy ending for her. But, speaking of endings, it was the ending which, for me, knocked...more

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Mar 19, 2008 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A recurring theme with the books I choose to read is that they more often than not have a film adaptation to accompany them. I know this isn't the best literary habit, and that I should be willing to branch out more into plots and subjects that interest me instead of seeking out the books that I am already familiar with in visual media, but often it follows that the book is better than the movie anyways, so it's a win-win situation. That was the case with this book. Purchased at a used book sale...more

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Nov 20, 2008 Annette rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another one of those books I picked up at the library because I saw the movie - the same but different. All in all a romance with a magical twist (although with drama added in!)

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Mar 23, 2009 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, favorites, owned-copy, witch-sorcereress-healer

This is a really good book. I couldn't put it down. It's good as many genres, coming of age, romance, fantasy, family drama, all of the above. It's so well-written and the language is beautiful and affecting. The words painted an image that was vivid and alive in my mind. Strangely enough, I pictured Sandra Bullock, who plays her in the movie, as Sally. I loved the extended narrative about Sally's daughters, which was missing from the movie. It seems as though they are going to repeat the patter...more

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Jan 10, 2009 Julianna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, favorites

I wanted some light reading to get though January especially since the last book I read was an 800 Dickens novel, and this book fit the bill perfectly. I even ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would! It had just the right amount of what I guess would be called magical realism, and I loved the imagery (two sisters growing up in a run down mansion with two old aunts, it sounds like an Edward Gorey book!) and the moodiness. It seemed like there was a thunderstorm gathering in ever scene, w...more

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Jan 04, 2010 Karen Powell added it · review of another edition

I had a poor opinion of Hoffman's writing after I read her later novel Here on Earth, her tribute to Wuthering Heights. That novel put me under the impression that Hoffman didn't get characters at all. After reading Practical Magic, I take that back. This novel is an extraordinary good character study of two vastly different sisters, and the two daughters of the one.[return][return]Fans of the film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman will get a different story here, but the central action...more I had a poor opinion of Hoffman's writing after I read her later novel Here on Earth, her tribute to Wuthering Heights. That novel put me under the impression that Hoffman didn't get characters at all. After reading Practical Magic, I take that back. This novel is an extraordinary good character study of two vastly different sisters, and the two daughters of the one.[return][return]Fans of the film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman will get a different story here, but the central action does revolve around the aftermath of Gillian's destructive relationship with Jimmy. But mostly, the book is a close portrait of the sisters. Sally is always the sensible one, there to cook healthy meals and hides herself from the pain of love after her husband dies. Gillian, on the other hand is sensual as she is lazy, but emerges with interests that may surprise the reader as it rounds out her character. Sally's daughters become strong characters in their own right, as they deal with adolescense, young love, and self esteem. The aunts are not the main characters as they are in the film, but are mysterious and marginal until called upon to help the sisters, when three generations of Owens women connect in ways they could not earlier in the novel.[return][return]The "magic" in the novel is diminished to the aunt's love spells, (and is more frightening in this respect) but it is more present in the way the characters interact with each other. Their empathy, their heightened senses, their depth of perception is weaved with importance among knowledge of herbs and superstitions. The magic effects the townspeople without their knowing, as they are drawn beyond their power to the beauty of Gillian or the the lilacs that spring up overnight in Sally's yard.[return][return]Hoffman also creates a vivid New England that evokes tales of Salem and autumns with rainbow foliage. There are few authors that can really nail down a certain area of geography, and Hoffman is one such writer who has a talent for describing New England and New Englanders. It is difficult to describe how she does so, as the novel gives off an intangible sense of this location.[return][return]I eventually reconciled my appreciation for this novel with my intense dislike for Here on Earth. I can only surmise that Hoffman does better with her own original material, and can fully explore her characters when not bound by preconceived structure. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy character studies of women.(less)

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Apr 01, 2009 Gemma rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: supernatural

I've been meaning to read this book for years, ever since I first watched the film of the same name (and based loosely on the story). I must confess that the movie is one of my favourites. I've always found it enchanting and moving, even if it is romantic-supernatural fluff.

If you're familiar with the movie, you'll know the basic characters from the book, but everything else is different. I was shocked at just HOW different. It really amazes me that someone condensed this story into the movie I...more

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Feb 17, 2009 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: book-to-film, library

I picked this book for the Modern Classics Challenge because I loved The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman and thought I'd try another one of her books. The premise of this story was interesting, as are all of Alice Hoffman's; she loves to write about family and community and integrates elements of magic and love into all of her stories. She weaves both of these into all types of relationships--inter-generational, male/female, and especially between siblings.

This particular book fell a little fla...more I picked this book for the Modern Classics Challenge because I loved The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman and thought I'd try another one of her books. The premise of this story was interesting, as are all of Alice Hoffman's; she loves to write about family and community and integrates elements of magic and love into all of her stories. She weaves both of these into all types of relationships--inter-generational, male/female, and especially between siblings.

This particular book fell a little flat for me, compared to other works by Alice Hoffman that I've loved. I enjoyed the story, but I actually loved the guys in the story (the guys who loved the Owens women) more than the women themselves. I think the primary reason is that Hoffman did something unique in the way she told this story--dialogue was really scant and, rather than us figuring out the innerworkings of the characters and coming up with our own conclusions based on what they said and did, Hoffman came right out and told us. This book was almost entirely expository, told in a form of lyrical prose.

Additionally, Hoffman covers nearly thirty years of time in the story (all in only 244 pages), so it's covered at a break-neck speed, which is the likelist reason why Hoffman discarded dialogue and just told you what you needed to know. Another "weird" thing Hoffman did in this book is that it's entirely told in the present tense (all throughout the 30 year time span) rather than having a distinct point of view or being told in past tense (which is much more common); the beauty of the past tense is that you inherently feel that the characters have already experienced the plot and have learned their lessons, that's why you want to hear from them so you can learn too.

Here's an example:

"When evening falls, Kylie still doesn't know what to do. Gillian is at Ben's, but no one answers the phone when Kylie calls to ask Gillian if she thinks it's foolish for her to go to Gideon's. Why does she even want to? What does she care?"
The whole book reads like this "She does X. She is Y." It just makes for a very weird read and makes the characters more distant. I think that's also why I loved the guys more because the author didn't fully understand them and/or write them in a way that it appears she did not fully understood them, so I came to know them myself and had invested in getting to know them personally (rather than being told that I should love them).

That being said, it's a quick and easy read. If you're looking for something that is light and extols the virtues of strong family relationships and the beauty of head-over-heels love, than this book (which earned a B- from me) is a good book for you. (less)

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Mar 05, 2008 Maureen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This book is so different from the movie, which I saw before reading the book, that for once I think I actually preferred the movie. I would almost call the movie a "derivative work", not even an adaptation. I was disappointed that the aunts barely make an appearance, and not at all like the characters in the movie. It was a good read, very different writing style (little dialogue, mostly a stream-of-consciousness style). I guess you just have to think of the book and the movie as being unrelate...more

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Mary-Jane Your comments remind me a bit of the book & film "The Witches of Eastwick." The book is a hoot - dry, sly, funny, thought-provoking - whereas the...more
Mar 06, 2008 11:34am

Maureen I never read "WoE", I'll have to put that on my "to-read" list. Hollywood is just going to spin it however they can to up the sex factor. There's a si...more
Mar 07, 2008 09:11am

Mary-Jane If you like "Eastwick," read "Gertrude and Claudius" next. It's a "prequel" to Hamlet, told from Hamlet's mother's POV. You'll never think of the play...more
Mar 07, 2008 11:07am

May 09, 2013 Danielle added it · review of another edition

After finding out that there was a novel on which the movie was based on, I went berserk. I was expecting witches, who, like in the movie, drank margaritas and were typical witches. I got none of that...and frankly, what a relief!
The book is ten thousand times more profound than the film and explores each character like a cesspool, and each and every character is complex and unique. Unlike the movie though, the aunts are presented in a more far-off way in the book. They are vague and blurry,exc...more

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Dec 27, 2012 Amanda Nuñez rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I freely admit that I saw Griffin Dunne's film adaptation before reading the novel itself, so I had high expectations. What I'm about to say next is rare for me: I was actually very disappointed with this book. Yes, it delved nicely into the intricate relationships between the sisters, their aunts, the psychotic boyfriend, etc., but the fact of the two sisters being witches was barely mentioned, much less any detail regarding their magical abilities. This was one of -- if not THE -- main reasons...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Cindy Huffman rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I knew Practical Magic from the movie with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. A terrible movie, BTW. But it was chosen for book club, which was an odd choice as it wasn't a recent release (the movie came out in 1998).

Overall, it was OK. More than OK, but less than good. What is the word for that?

Perhaps it would have been more interesting had I not been reflecting back to the movie. Did I mention how bad the movie was?

Sally and Gillian are sisters who have magic in their blood. Their aunts take...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Monica! rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012, badass-book-club, watch-the-movie-instead, the-sparkles-mean-its-magic, what-is-this-feeling, you-go-girl, meh, oprah-might-like-you

I think it’s official that I’m not a super-huge fan of Alice Hoffman.

This book just dragged for me. “For Christ’s sake!” I would shriek at the endless pages, “If I have to hear ONE MORE DESCRIPTION of how the sight of Gillian’s neck causes grown men to drop their wives and either propose or accidentally drive into telephone poles, I WILL CLAW OUT MY EYES!”

I didn’t, but it was close.

I couldn’t figure out exactly what the deeeep meeeaaaaning was behind the writing. Was it, “Go ahead and kill your...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Cassandra rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book will forever remain one I recommend to anyone who says "I need a good book to read, what do you suggest?"

Amazing. It has everything that just plucks at my heart strings and makes me smile: sister hood, love, romance, family history and the complexity of the relationships we form with other people. And what I love is that she manages to capture all these themes realistically. As in, Ms. Hoffman uses these themes without the book ever becomining sappy or overly "simple" to read. It's a g...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Hannah rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

During my move from Hawaii to the middle of the US I unwittingly packed my Kindle charger and was therefore deprived of all the literature that I wanted so desperately to read. Also, being the time of season of Halloween I was watching the movie Practical Magic and saw in the credits that the movie was based off of Alice Hoffman's book. I thought it would be the perfect read for Halloween! Unfortunately, I am yet again faced with another book where the movie was significantly better than the boo...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Racheal rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is one of those rare examples of the movie being better than the book. Yeah. I somehow managed to get through it, but this book was like one never-ending series of mood-setting lists. An example:

"Sally thought long and hard each time she hung up the phone. She thought about the girl in the drugstore and the sound of Antonia’s footsteps on the stairs when she went to bed without a good-night hug. She thought about Michael’s life and his death, and about every second they had spent together....more

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Aug 20, 2012 Angie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It's a cute book; I now want to see the movie to see how it was handled. I'm surprised by the amount of times the word "fuck" is used, as though there's nothing in between fucking and making love, like, you know... sex. People can have sex, they don't gotta fuck all the time.

I didn't actually like it as much as that other one of hers I read, though, the name of which suddenly escapes me but was read recently. I really like that her stories feel a little fairy-tale-esque, but I'm not as enamored...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Clarisse Coughlin added it · review of another edition

Gillian and Sally Owens have suffered through the worst that any adult or chil has to endure; murder, bullying, death, domestic violence, depression and everything in between. This is a story of the Owens girls overcoming all of these challenges. Along with their two aunts and Sally's daughters ,Kylie and Antonia they take an adventure filled with danger and magic. The book Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman describes the lives of Sally and Gillian Owens from growing up with their two magical aunt...more Gillian and Sally Owens have suffered through the worst that any adult or chil has to endure; murder, bullying, death, domestic violence, depression and everything in between. This is a story of the Owens girls overcoming all of these challenges. Along with their two aunts and Sally's daughters ,Kylie and Antonia they take an adventure filled with danger and magic. The book Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman describes the lives of Sally and Gillian Owens from growing up with their two magical aunts to when they are both full grown adults.

In the beginning of this book we are introduced to Sally and Gillian Owens. Gillian and Sally are forced to live with their two aunts after the untimly death of their parents. The Owens women are known for being extremly beautiful but everyone in the towns keep a distance from them because they are seen as witches, which fears the whole town. These rumors cause the town children to bully and harrass the Owens girls. Sally and Gillian are complete opposites. Sally is a conservative, healthy and protective of her younger sister. Gillian is the wild child of the family who would rather be running free rather than listening to her sister boss her around. At rainy nights the town women who were overcome by love would visit the Owen's women asking desperatly for help and all their childhood they would watch their aunts make love potions and they said that they would never turn into one of those women. When they grow up they go their seperate ways. Gillian goes to Arizona and lives with her abusive boyfriend, Jimmy. Sally gets married and has two daughters but then becomes depressed when her husband dies but then moves North. Theses two sisters aviod contact until one night Gillian arrives ar Sally's door with Jimmy dead in her car. These two women become sisters again as they try to hide Jimmy's death from the authorities. In the end everyone lives happily ever after.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the complications in the relationship throughout the book. Whether it was a romantic relationship, a siblings relationship or family relationship in the end it was resolved and didn't really leave you with any questions.I also liked the use of magic in the book. It was much more believable than the kind of magic with broomsticks and big hats. The author also used great symbolism. An example of symbolism that she used was the ring. The ring represents Jimmy and his spirit after he died. Overall I really enjoyed this book and everything in it.

I would reccommend this book to someone who enjoys reading about magic, love and mysteries. I wouldn't reccommend it to someone who enjoys action books and books of that nature. This book has aspects that many people would enjoy reading about though. Also it takes place in Massachusetts so this would be a good book for people who like to read books that are more local. This book has a little bit of everything for people.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Alice Hoffman has a really good story line and plot. I would recommend it to many people. Hoffman makes use of many symbols and it is a great book. The plot is very thorough and leaves no room for questions in the future. It was a great book and I would definetly recommend it. (less)

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Feb 18, 2012 Anna rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the first time in my reading life that I can say that the movie is better than the book. I honestly wish that I'd read the book first, because the monumental let down of reading the book after the movie has been something I cannot reconcile. The movie is beautiful, the storyline is engaging and witty, and the characters draw you in and make you laugh and cry. Yet the book is so far removed from the movie, they are hardly relatable at all, with such flimsy linkages, you could actually see...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Sienna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, kindle

Quite different from what I'd expected. Practical Magic feels a bit like a fable, at once insubstantial and significant. There's a simplicity to the characters, their personalities, their goodness or badness, their rather uniform voices, that should annoy me but instead just felt right thanks to the beauty and precision of Hoffman's prose. The structure is fluid and unusual, life encapsulated in longing and discomfort. It's an emotional read. I loved this the way at fourteen I fell for — and sti...more

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Jan 24, 2012 Salma rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Actually, I would add a half a star if it was possible just for Hoffman's style. Every page has odes to the natural world that would make Walt Whitman proud. And I would personally crown her Queen of Metaphors if the title existed. Maybe it's not fair of me, but whenever I read a novel, I compare it to the works of my favorite nineteenth-century authors...Brontes, Hardy, Eliot, etc. My observation is this: the reason I like these authors so much is because their writing hits near perfection in A...more Actually, I would add a half a star if it was possible just for Hoffman's style. Every page has odes to the natural world that would make Walt Whitman proud. And I would personally crown her Queen of Metaphors if the title existed. Maybe it's not fair of me, but whenever I read a novel, I compare it to the works of my favorite nineteenth-century authors...Brontes, Hardy, Eliot, etc. My observation is this: the reason I like these authors so much is because their writing hits near perfection in ALL aspects of storytelling. Along with style, a TIGHTLY woven story existed together with complex characters. But I feel with modern authors, particularly a lot of "literary novelists," their novels are like unfinished paintings, or lovely quilts with lots of loose threads taking your eye away from the design. I'm not sure what the reason for this is (I don't find the same to be true for some young adult authors, particularly in the fantasy genre).

My problem with this book is that NONE of the characters ever behaved rationally. I know it's magical realism, but even I couldn't suspend disbelief that much. The thing is, in older books, even when you have insane characters driven only by their passions (aka Heathcliff and Cathy), there are always other cast members balancing things out. Here, no chance. I felt that the sisters Sally and Gillian were too stereotypical- the "straight-laced v. rebel." Additionally, I couldn't understand the characters' motivations for doing some things, which is never a good thing in a story. As an example, the protagonists always fall in love with their significant others at first sight, and they realize they're meant to be together forever after looking into each others' eyes for a total of three seconds (there's that suspension of disbelief that doesn't work again). Finally, the ending felt too slapdash, and just left me feeling dissatisfied.

So, I hope I haven't torn apart Ms. Hoffman too much- because her writing really is beautiful. I wonder if perhaps her short stories (and poems, if she writes them) would be more satisfying. (less)

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Sep 04, 2011 Rie_dominique rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: a-novel, romance, paranormal

dulu udah pernah nonton filmnya. lumayan juga sih, yang main fave-ku semua. tapi jauh lebih enak baca bukunya.

walaupun dialog di buku ini sedikit dan lebih didominasi oleh narasi, Alice hoffman pintar sekali merangkai kata-kata sehingga narasi tersebut tidak bosan dibaca.

berkisah mengenai Sally Owens dan Gillian Owens yang harus tinggal bersama ke-2 bibi mereka karena orangtuanya yang meninggal dalam kebakaran. yang tidak mereka sadari pada awalnya adalah keluarga Owens merupakan keturunan penyi...more dulu udah pernah nonton filmnya. lumayan juga sih, yang main fave-ku semua. tapi jauh lebih enak baca bukunya.

walaupun dialog di buku ini sedikit dan lebih didominasi oleh narasi, Alice hoffman pintar sekali merangkai kata-kata sehingga narasi tersebut tidak bosan dibaca.

berkisah mengenai Sally Owens dan Gillian Owens yang harus tinggal bersama ke-2 bibi mereka karena orangtuanya yang meninggal dalam kebakaran. yang tidak mereka sadari pada awalnya adalah keluarga Owens merupakan keturunan penyihir. setelah tinggal di kota tersebut barulah mereka sadar mengenai hal tersebut karena masyarakat di kota tersebut menolak untuk berada berdekatan dengan keluarga Owens.
tapi itu tidak menghalangi mereka untuk meminta bantuan kepada ke2 bibi karena ke2nya terkenal dengan ramuan cinta mereka. karena terlalu sering melihat orang2 yang mendatangi bibi mereka saat senja untuk mendapatkan jimat/ramuan/mantra untuk memikat orang yang mereka cintai (walaupun orang tersebut sudah menikah dengan oranglain) membuat Sally dan Gillian bertekad untuk tidak akan jatuh cinta.

pada usia 18 tahun Gillian melarikan diri dan bersumpah untuk tidak kembali ke kota tersebut. sedangkan Sally jatuh cinta dan menikah dengan Michael dan memiliki 2 orang anak perempuan, Antonia dan Kylie. setelah 4 tahun menikah Michael meninggal dan menyebabkan Sally menenggelamkan diri dalam kesedihan selama setahun. yang menguatkannya adalah telepon dari Gillian yang selalu datang setiap kamis malam.

setelah bangkit dari kesedihannya, Sally memutuskan untuk pindah kota, karena ia ingin anak-anaknya hidup normal. tidak seperti masa remajanya dimana ia disisihkan oleh orang2 sekota karena ketakutan mereka terhadap keluarga Owens.

setelah 18 tahun berpisah, Gillian kembali muncul didepan pintu rumah Sally dengan membawa mayat pacarnya, Jimmy, dimobilnya. tidak tahu mau pergi kemana,Gillian kembali menemui Sally, orang yang selalu mengurus dan tempatnya bergantung semasa kecil.

dengan munculnya kembali Gillian kedalam kehidupan Sally membawa banyak perubahan dalam keseharian Sally. dan semua tidak selalu merupakan perubahan yang baik. karena Gillian merupakan manusia yang egois dan hanya memikirkan dirinya sendiri.

membaca buku ini seperti mengingat kembali hubungan saya dengan saudara-saudara saya sendiri. ada canda tawanya, banyak berdebat dan bertengkarnya, tapi pada akhirnya selalu bersama dalam susah dan senang karena tidak ada yang bisa lebih dekat kepada kita daripada saudara kita sendiri :)
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Aug 19, 2011 Marion Marchetto rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: alice-hoffman, magic

When two young girls, Sally and Gillian, are orphaned it is Sally (who is wise beyond her years) that calls her aunts (white witches) and says that she and her sister are coming to live with them. The girls spend their childhood as targets for taunts and pranks of the other townschildren simply because no one understands them and associates them with the Owens women who have been rumored to be witches. Indeed they are witches, of the benevolent kind. The girls get a view of hypocrasy when every...more When two young girls, Sally and Gillian, are orphaned it is Sally (who is wise beyond her years) that calls her aunts (white witches) and says that she and her sister are coming to live with them. The girls spend their childhood as targets for taunts and pranks of the other townschildren simply because no one understands them and associates them with the Owens women who have been rumored to be witches. Indeed they are witches, of the benevolent kind. The girls get a view of hypocrasy when every evening the women of the town come to the back door of the aunts' house and beg and plead for a spell to bring them true love. But as Aunt Bridget cautions, "Be careful what you wish for". In an effort to save herself from heartbreak young Sally vows never to fall in love; Gillian, however, "can't wait to fall in love".

As they grow both girls can't wait to be free from the aunts. Gillian runs off with a young man and works her way through three husbands. Sally finds herself deeply in love with a local man. They marry and have two lovely daughters but alas, Sally's husband meets with an untimely death. She moves herself and her daughters back to the aunts house and suffers a year-long bout of depression. She vows yet again to take keep her daughters from harm and herself from love. To that end she moves her small family to Long Island, a place where she feels they can be normal.

One night Gillian arrives at the Long Island house with the body of her dead boyfriend in the car. In an effort to cover up the deed (an overdose of a potent natural drug), Sally helps Gillian bury the body in her yard. That's when strange and potentially evil things start to happen. It takes a visit by the aunts along with some strong magic to dispell the strange happenings and bring true love to both Gillian and Sally.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Tightly woven story, lyrical prose, a bit of humor, lots of magic, and charismatic characters. Like other reviewers I wanted to finish this book in one sitting. It is definitely a page-turner. Hoffman has a definite winner in this book.

Also recommended: The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman

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About Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman was born in New York City on March 16, 1952 and grew up on Long Island. After graduating from high school in 1969, she attended Adelphi University, from which she received a BA, and then received a Mirrellees Fellowship to the Stanford University Creative Writing Center, which she attended in 1973 and 74, receiving an MA in creative writing. She currently lives in Boston and New York...more Alice Hoffman was born in New York City on March 16, 1952 and grew up on Long Island. After graduating from high school in 1969, she attended Adelphi University, from which she received a BA, and then received a Mirrellees Fellowship to the Stanford University Creative Writing Center, which she attended in 1973 and 74, receiving an MA in creative writing. She currently lives in Boston and New York.

Hoffman’s first novel, PROPERTY OF, was written at the age of twenty-one, while she was studying at Stanford, and published shortly thereafter by Farrar Straus and Giroux. She credits her mentor, professor and writer Albert J. Guerard, and his wife, the writer Maclin Bocock Guerard, for helping her to publish her first short story in the magazine Fiction. Editor Ted Solotaroff then contacted her to ask if she had a novel, at which point she quickly began to write what was to become PROPERTY OF, a section of which was published in Mr. Solotaroff’s magazine, American Review.

Since that remarkable beginning, Alice Hoffman has become one of our most distinguished novelists. She has published a total of sixteen novels, two books of short fiction, and eight books for children and young adults. Her novel, HERE ON EARTH, an Oprah Book Club choice, was a modern reworking of some of the themes of Emily Bronte’s masterpiece Wuthering Heights. PRACTICAL MAGIC was made into a Warner film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Her novel, AT RISK, which concerns a family dealing with AIDS, can be found on the reading lists of many universities, colleges and secondary schools. Hoffman’s advance from LOCAL GIRLS, a collection of inter-related fictions about love and loss on Long Island, was donated to help create the Hoffman Breast Center at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA. BLACKBIRD HOUSE is a book of stories centering around an old farm on Cape Cod. Hoffman's recent books include AQUARMARINE and INDIGO, novels for pre-teens, and The New York Times bestsellers THE RIVER KING, BLUE DIARY, THE PROBABLE FUTURE, and THE ICE QUEEN. GREEN ANGEL, a post-apocalyptic fairy tale about loss and love, was published by Scholastic and THE FORETELLING, a book about an Amazon girl in the Bronze Age, was published by Little Brown. This fall Little Brown published the teen novel INCANTATION, a story about hidden Jews during the Spanish Inquisition, which Publishers Weekly has chosen as one of the best books of the year. In January 2007, SKYLIGHT CONFESSIONS, a novel about one family’s secret history, was released on the 30th anniversary of the publication of Hoffman’s first novel.

Hoffman’s work has been published in more than twenty translations and more than one hundred foreign editions. Her novels have received mention as notable books of the year by The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, The Los Angeles Times, Library Journal, and People Magazine. She has also worked as a screenwriter and is the author of the original screenplay “Independence Day,” a film starring Kathleen Quinlan and Diane Weist. Her short fiction and non-fiction have appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe Magazine, Kenyon Review, Redbook, Architectural Digest, Gourmet, Self, and other magazines. Her teen novel AQUAMARINE was recently made into a film starring Emma Roberts.
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Quotes from Practical Magic

“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.” — 610 people liked it

“It doesn't matter what people tell you. It doesn't matter what they might say. Sometimes you have to leave home. Sometimes, running away means you're headed in the exact right direction.” — 349 people liked it

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