Millie
asked:
Do you need to read Practical Magic before reading this? Or can it be read as a stand alone?? I absolutley loved the movie version of Practical Magic and have seen it many many times. I would love to read The Rules of Magic but might find it hard to read PM because of how many times I have seen the movie.
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Simon & Schuster Goodreads
While The Rules of Magic is a prequel, you certainly do not need to read Practical Magic first. The Rules of Magic works beautiful as a stand-alone! You'll find some characters you know and love from watching the movie over and over (if you're like me, at least once a year!)--but you'll also find new characters to fall in love with in the pages of this novel. I hope you enjoy reading The Rules of Magic, and I hope you'll let us know what you think once you do!
-Dana
-Dana
Cathy
I do not recommend watching the movie of Practical Magic in place of reading it. Although it was a delightful movie starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, many liberties were taken and changes made that I found both disappointing and annoying.
Although The Rules of Magic can be read as a stand alone, I strongly recommend reading Practical Magic first as it serves as a better introduction to the characters and storyline and drove me to read the prequel for answers. It’s similar to reading an article in a magazine or newspaper and then researching the history of the incident, feeling satisfied and stating, Aha, now I get it!!
Although The Rules of Magic can be read as a stand alone, I strongly recommend reading Practical Magic first as it serves as a better introduction to the characters and storyline and drove me to read the prequel for answers. It’s similar to reading an article in a magazine or newspaper and then researching the history of the incident, feeling satisfied and stating, Aha, now I get it!!
Jackie Copper
Rules of Magic is a better book with better character and storyline development. You'll come to love the two main characters,
(known as the "aunts" in the original book Practical Magic) when you read this prequel. If you read Practical Magic AFTER reading the prequel, which should be the natural storyline, you may be disappointed in the timeline (skewed) and especially the literary treatment of the two main characters from Rules of Magic. The stories don't jive, the timelines don't jive. Read them both, but put some time between readings if you're as finicky about details in a story as I tend to be...
(known as the "aunts" in the original book Practical Magic) when you read this prequel. If you read Practical Magic AFTER reading the prequel, which should be the natural storyline, you may be disappointed in the timeline (skewed) and especially the literary treatment of the two main characters from Rules of Magic. The stories don't jive, the timelines don't jive. Read them both, but put some time between readings if you're as finicky about details in a story as I tend to be...
Jonnell
You can definitely enjoy this without reading Practical Magic first. I've read PM and seen the movie several times (which I like but the book is better). Even if I hadn't the new book stands on its own. If you like the movie PM I think you'd really enjoy this book.
Rob
There is plenty of foregrounding. Plus, Rules of Magic is a prequel and a better book!
Kristine Brancolini
Not only do you need to read Practical Magic first, some people seem put off by changes that contradict things that happened in Practical Magic. I read PM a long time ago and don't remember the details and that seems to be a good thing. I actually preferred Rules of Magic to Practical Magic, so don't feel that you should read these books in order.
Eve
I don't think you need to read Practical Magic first. But, after reading The Rules of Magic, Practical Magic would be a fantastic follow-up. I read Practical Magic when it first came out and really enjoyed it. Personally, I didn't like the movie version of Practical Magic. It started out fairly close to the book, but the end (for me) was extremely disappointing. Of course, it's hard to find a movie version that accurately depicts any book, which is why I prefer to read!
Tiffanie
Well the book is kind of different than the movie, even if there is similarities. I would recommend reading PM :) it might help you understand some things better. Although it seemed to me that there isn't much about Jet and Fran in the book, compared to the movie.
Bella Reads and Reviews
I have not read the book Practical Magic nor have I seen the movie, and I thoroughly enjoyed The Rules of Magic, perhaps more so because I had no preconceived ideas about anything. I didn't know ahead of time how Jet and Franny would end up, so all was new to me.
C.B. Smith
I finished Practical Magic recently and judging from the synopsis of Rules I think Hoffman took some inspiration from the movie. Reading the comments and reviews it seems Rules is the better book to many.
(Minor Spoilers for some changes)
No family curse and no trial for witchcraft is mentioned in Practical
(Minor Spoilers for some changes)
No family curse and no trial for witchcraft is mentioned in Practical
AquaMoon
You don't need to read Practical Magic to enjoy Rules of Magic. But if you DO decide to read it, be warned that it is very, VERY different from the movie to the point it's almost a different story entirely. Treat it as a separate thing on which the film was (very) loosely based. It's the only way to enjoy the book.
kelley
I enjoy both. I watch the movie at least once a year because I like it so much. The books for me have fleshed out the story and it now makes so much more sense. I especially loved connecting the dots between the generations of Owen women.
Rosemary
I just read Rules of Magic and am starting Practical Magic. In a sense, it makes more sense because they are chronologically in order though published in reverse order (in other words, RoM is a prequel to the earlier-published PM.
Alysia Richardson
Absolutely Not.
Marina L Reed
Not at all. Read it on its own....it's a treat!!
Millie
Thanks everyone! Read The Rules Of Magic, on it's own and very much enjoyed it 😊
Carrie
You really should read practical magic too because it is so different from the movie.
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