Garden Spells

by Sarah Addison Allen (Goodreads author)

book data

4,448 ratings, 3.91 average rating, 1,544 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		27%
4		42%
3		23%
2		4%
1		1%

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published

April 29th 2008 (first published 2007) by Bantam Books

binding

Mass Market Paperback, 320 pages

characters

Claire Waverley, Sydney Waverley, Tyler

isbn

0553590324 (isbn13: 9780553590326)

description

In a garden surrounded by a tall fence, tucked away behind a small, quiet house in an even smaller town, is an apple tree that is rumored to bear a ve...more

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09/16/07

Sidhe rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

recommends it for: fans of Practical Magic

Yes, this book is definitely reminsicent of Practical Magic in plotline. I can't imagine anyone not thinking so...a beautiful old house, two magical sisters whose mother died when they were young, one practical and a homebody, the other a wild woman with a daughter who comes back home to escape an abusive man. Um...sounds familiar. Very.

BUT

The author creates an amazing atmosphere, and the basics of the plot may be the same, but the details are entirely new and lovely. ...more

Like this review? yes (15 people liked it)

6 comments

06/06/08

Sara rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

bookshelves: favorites

Chicken soup when you're sick. Chocolate when you're hormonal. Lavender for your bathroom. Citrus for the kitchen. Pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Peppermint at Christmas time.

This book completely spoke my language - that of food and how we are connected to what we serve, eat and order. We may not be able to put magic into our cooking, but as a mother I know there are certain things to feed my family for certain reasons, and that can be sort of a form of magic (at least to the little ch...more

Like this review? yes (15 people liked it)

1 comment

04/21/08

Dorlana rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

Read in February, 2008

It is really difficult for me to find a book that suits me. I love stories, and I love to read. Since I don’t have a lot of time to read, I have to be really picky. Which means, if it hasn’t grabbed my attention early on, I normally don’t continue.

When I saw Garden Spells on the shelves in the book store I immediately wanted to read it because of the cover, the title and the blurb. I knew for sure that this was a book that I had to read.

I was so excited when I sat d...more

Like this review? yes (8 people liked it)

1 comment

12/06/07

Erin rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

bookshelves: magic, nongenre-fiction, romanticnovels

recommends it for: women...and men who appreciate magic

What I learned from this book is...if an apple tree throws its apples at you, for goodness sake, pay attention already!

This book is lovely, magical, enchanting. I sat down to read just one chapter, basically to decide whether it was worth holding onto even though it was already overdue. At 2:30 a.m. I finished the whole darn thing. Couldn't stop myself. I floated in a state of suspended reality, where time had no meaning.

The basic idea of the book: two sisters expe...more

Like this review? yes (9 people liked it)

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03/06/08

Ruth rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

Read in April, 2008

In a small southern town, Claire Waverly runs a catering business out of her small family farm, but her quiet, secure life is turned upside down, when a new next-door neighbor moves in, at the same time that her footloose, wilder younger sister Sydney comes home. Sydney is on the run from an abusive ex, and she and her six-year-old daughter Bay need a place to hide and recover. But Sydney's history, both in the town and out of it, has a way of catching up on her. This book is basically about r...more

Like this review? yes (3 people liked it)

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02/16/08

Debbie rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

bookshelves: contemporary-adult-fiction

Read in February, 2008

I made one of my departures from YA into the adult book world with Garden Spells. This is a book about place and belonging and love. It centers around the Waverley family, specifically, Waverley women. Claire was only 6 when her mother brought her to the Waverley family home in Bascom, North Carolina, where she has lived quietly ever since, but her early experiences have made her terrified of becoming close to people. Claire's younger sister, Sydney, was born in Bascom but left after high school...more I made one of my departures from YA into the adult book world with Garden Spells. This is a book about place and belonging and love. It centers around the Waverley family, specifically, Waverley women. Claire was only 6 when her mother brought her to the Waverley family home in Bascom, North Carolina, where she has lived quietly ever since, but her early experiences have made her terrified of becoming close to people. Claire's younger sister, Sydney, was born in Bascom but left after high school, following in the wandering ways of their mother, whom she never knew.

The story begins when Sydney returns to Bascom with her 5-year-old daughter, Bay, to escape an abusive relationship. Claire and Sydney were not close growing up, but now that they're older, they're able to work together and appreciate each other. Their growing sisterliness is one of the highlights of the book.

There are many highlights in this book, several of them individual characters. Claire and Sydney's cousin Evanelle, who's nearly 80, has a gift for giving people things before they need them. Two sets of sheets that she gives Claire come in handy when Sydney and Bay show up on Claire's doorstep. A too-big shirt that she knew she had to give Sydney leads to Sydney finding a job. Evanelle is a delight.

While giving the right things to people is Evanelle's bit of Waverley magic, cooking is Claire's. The Waverley garden is famous for producing food that has a strong influence on people. Somewhat reminiscent of Like Water for Chocolate, the food that Claire serves in her catering business can calm a crowd or make them remember good things or induce in them an admiration of their hosts. Bay, who is a true Waverley, knows where things belong, and she knows that she and her mother belong in Bascom with Claire.

One of my favorite characters is the apple tree that is legendary in Bascom. Eating an apple from it will show you the 'biggest event in your life.' It sometimes throws apples at people when it wants them to eat one or to get their attention. If it's too rowdy, the Waverleys will yell at it to stop. It listens to Bay particularly.

I enjoyed the mixture of magic and ordinary life-ness in this book. And I'd love to see the Waverley garden.(less)

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02/14/08

Heather rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

bookshelves: fiction

Read in February, 2008

Well, this is tricky. I really enjoyed the book. I enjoyed it the first time I read it when it was called "Practical Magic" by Alice Hoffman. Was it plagiarism? I'm not sure - that's for Hoffman's lawyers to decide, but if you enjoyed the following things about Hoffman's book, then you'll enjoy this one:
- a lovely garden where the plants grow in an atmosphere of magical realism, out of time and season.
- two sisters who seem polar opposites, who suffered the loss of thei...more

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02/03/08

Margaret Oneal rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

Read in February, 2008

recommended to Margaret by: Bell, Book and Candle Bookstore
recommends it for: adult readers, women, fantasy lovers

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book... but then I never am. That seems to the mantra that I open every book with: distrust of the author's skill, interests, etc. I was encouraged early on by the author's gift for language... Bits like "She was so Southern that she cried tears that came straight from the Mississipi...", and "Memories, even hard memories, grew soft like peaches as they got older."

Ah, you're thinking that this is one of those dreary South...more

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11/18/07

Audrarose rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

Read in September, 2008

Two sisters deal with being magical in a small town. Practical Magic by way of Allende.

I don't care if this is almost the same story as Practical Magic; I thought it was lovely. A very fast read, very prettily written, and it has some absolutely beautiful moments. Really nice.

Like this review? yes (3 people liked it)

2 comments

09/11/08

Juushika rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

bookshelves: borrowed

Read in August, 2008

The Waverleys are a strange family: each of them has a special gift and a prophetic apple tree grows in their backyard, imbuing the entire garden with magic. But when wandering Sydney escapes an abusive boyfriend and returns back home to live with her introverted sister Claire, the Waverley sisters must learn to step outside of their eccentricities and discover life, love, and happiness. Despite the dark elements—an abusive boyfriend, an abandoning mother—Garden Spells is unmitigated fluff. As l...more The Waverleys are a strange family: each of them has a special gift and a prophetic apple tree grows in their backyard, imbuing the entire garden with magic. But when wandering Sydney escapes an abusive boyfriend and returns back home to live with her introverted sister Claire, the Waverley sisters must learn to step outside of their eccentricities and discover life, love, and happiness. Despite the dark elements—an abusive boyfriend, an abandoning mother—Garden Spells is unmitigated fluff. As long as the reader isn't looking for complexity, the book is a lighthearted and fanciful piece of escapism. I moderately recommend it.

A predictable plot, minimal conflict, some comical antagonists, simplistic characters, an an unbelievable happy ever after: this book has little depth and, on a technical level, not much to offer. In fact, Claire's homeless past and Sydney's abusive boyfriend are almost red herrings, foreshadowing conflicts that never quite arrive. Instead, this book is about self-discovery and love with perfect endings, containing impossible magic and set in a small town where the biggest conflict is a foolish family feud. There is no complexity, no hidden meaning or intelligent depth, and readers expecting it will be disappointed.

Garden Spells is fluff. Accept that the book is little more than escapism, and it actually becomes quite a fun read. There's something enjoyable and uplifting about uncomplicated self-discovery and romance, and the magic—unbelievable as it is—is colorful and entertaining. The conflicts of the small town remain vaguely irritating (and mildly sexist), but they're comical as well. So, while the book is simple and unmemorable, it's pure escapism which is surprisingly fun to read. I wasn't blown away by this book and I'll never reread it, but I enjoyed it much more than I expected I would. Exaggerated as it is, I like the magic. There's something oddly enduring about a playful apple tree with prophetic fruit, or the ability to influence memory or emotion by baking with the right edible flowers. All told, I recommend this book only moderately, and only to the reader looking for a lighthearted bit of escapism. It's a good book to borrow, because it won't stand up to rereads. But if you want simple fantasy and fun with a colorful twist, Garden Spells might be a good choice for an empty afternoon.(less)

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05/27/08

Bonnie rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

Read in May, 2008

recommended to Bonnie by: Barnes & Noble
recommends it for: those looking for an easy and enchanting read

I saw Sarah Addison Allen's new book "Sugar Queen" at Barnes & Noble and thought it looked interesting, but was unwilling to pay the price for a hardback book on an untried author. So, instead I picked up "Garden Spells" because of its beautiful cover and interesting synopsis. I'm VERY glad I did.

The story and the magic were...well...magical...and enchanting. I love gardens and books where people have green thumbs, unlike myself. The garden is a main charact...more I saw Sarah Addison Allen's new book "Sugar Queen" at Barnes & Noble and thought it looked interesting, but was unwilling to pay the price for a hardback book on an untried author. So, instead I picked up "Garden Spells" because of its beautiful cover and interesting synopsis. I'm VERY glad I did.

The story and the magic were...well...magical...and enchanting. I love gardens and books where people have green thumbs, unlike myself. The garden is a main character in this story, specifically the apple tree. And a book with a garden as a main character makes my day. Each Waverly in the book has a talent that makes them extra ordinary. There's no wand waving or incantations, only recipes, haircuts, random gift giving, and a heightened sense of what seems right.

I've read some of the other reviews and agree with several. I agree with the reviewer who said this book is very sweet....it is sweet, so if you're looking for something jaded and sarcastic, read something else. I agree with the reviewer who said that underneath the magic is a story about extra-ordinary people and the challenges they face as they try to find their happy ending. And I definitely agree with the reviewer who said they couldn't put the book down and was late to everything....me too...

I cannot speak on whether the book is similar to "Practical Magic" the book as I haven't read it and I absolutely don't think it very similar to "Practical Magic" the movie. The movie seems somewhat dark and twisty and this book is light, energetic and postive. All the 'kitchen magic' ellicits mostly positive things- understanding, clarity, good memories, etc. Even though sometimes those positive things lead to the more negative emotions like guilt or remorse about something you've done.

This book is ultimately about relationships- romantic and familial- and all the trials involved in making those relationships work. This is a book to sink into and simply enjoy...maybe with a mint julep on the veranda. The author does not beat you in the head with her agenda or attempt to brain you with a serious message. It is simply an enjoyable read that will have you looking a little closer whenever you pass an apple tree.(less)

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10/01/07

Lauren Giova rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

Read in October, 2007

recommends it for: Everyone

Most likely the best book I've read in a while. The story enfolds you from the very first page. And i have nothing but praise for it so i will make it short.

I definitely identified with at least one of the characters if not all of the them. I saw parallels from the novel to my life and i think a lot of readers will feel the same way. I believe that is what makes a story good, when you can place yourself in the situations the characters have placed themselves in. That's what ma...more

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08/30/07

Stacey rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

Read in September, 2007

I picked this one up because it was $10 at Barnes and Noble (yeah coupons!). I figured that if they recommended it and it cost less than dinner, I'd give it a try.

This was a fun, quick read. I haven't read or seen the movie "Practical Magic", but I do typically like Alice Hoffman's books. I didn't have a problem with this story line being recycled since I've never encountered it before.

This book was entertaining and well written. There were moments that ma...more

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06/29/08

Carm rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

Read in July, 2008

Set in North Carolina, we explore the lives of the Waverly women and their strangeness in a community where everyone has their expectations for the long family lines native to the area. The Waverley's have a garden where an enchanted apple tree grows and Claire masterfully creates foods with properties that do more than tantalize the taste buds. The ideas behind this are great and this first novel for Sarah Addison Allen might be a fun summer read for someone less picky than me. While I enjoyed ...more

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10/04/07

Ellen rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

bookshelves: gentlereads

Read in October, 2007

Garden Spells is a wonderful, gentle romance set in Bascom, North Carolina. Claire Waverly has an orderly life as a botanical caterer. Her flower and herbal recipes are known to help others gain clarity in their lives. Her own life becomes clouded by the handsome neighbor next door and the return of her sister Sydney with her young daughter. The Waverly girls are all gifted with a type of magic, abilities to help others through their various talents. It has a similar feel to "Like Water ...more

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

2 comments

03/07/08

Siobhan added it (review of isbn 0553805487)

This book is completely twee and unoriginal, and I am a little embarrassed to be reading it. It's the literary equivalent of eating a whole box of cookies -- but not even good cookies, more like Snackwell's. Mediocre and unsatisfying.

(And yet I am reading it anyway.)

Now that I've finished it, I can say definitively that the barrage of five-star reviews for this book kind of makes me lose my faith in humanity. Even if you like this kind of writing, it is so clearly a whole...more

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06/03/08

Danielle rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in June, 2008

I loved, loved, loved this book. It reminded me of Practical Magic with a bit of Simply Irresistible thrown in. I had a hard time putting it down because of my enjoyment.

Yes, it is predictable. But I really liked the everyday magic--there's a real feel-good vibe to this book. I liked the characters and the depiction of a small town. Sure, entire families are categorized with specific traits, but there was a part of me that found comfort in that.

Great summmer escape r...more

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09/10/07

Marta rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

Set in today's world, the family of "Waverly Women" are all enchanted. One works magic with the foods as a caterer from the herbs in her garden. Another "sees" odd things that people need--she doesn't know why they need the things she gives them, but she gifts little things that then become critical in the lives of those who receive them. A fun read.

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09/17/07

Rosalyn rated it:

(review of isbn 0553805487)

Read in September, 2007

I thought the story here was quite charming--although the book itself has a couple of sex scenes (nothing too explicit), which might put off some readers. The writing style was lovely and the characters endearing, however.

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