[Trim] The Probable Future - Alice Hoffman 2/5

[Nicole D.]

With apologies to Hoffman fans.

I have no idea how this book hit my radar. I'm thinking I asked for recommendations for my mother and somebody replied and I thought this sounded good. It is not my kind of book at all.

With all the raves about Hoffman, I thought Practical Magic must be an anomaly "chick lit" type foray. Based on my experience here, it was not. This book was every Sarah Addison Allen book I've ever read all rolled into one.

This will definitely be my last Hoffman.

[Joanne]

Oh, finally someone else! I never said anything before-she is not for me either!

[Booknblues]

Nicole D. wrote: "This book was every Sarah Addison Allen book I've ever read all rolled into one. ."

I think you have it backwards Sarah Addison Allen books are every Hoffman book rolled into one. Hoffman is 66 and began writing in 1977 and has written 27 books.

Allen is 48, completed her first novel in 2007 (Practical Magic was published in 1995) and has written 7 novels.

After being a snot and saying all that, I don't automatically love Hoffman or read her for that matter and I have never read a Sarah Addison Allen book. I know people love them, but they don't sound as if they would be in my taste.

I've seen Hoffman speak and I loved her books, The Story Sisters and The Dovekeepers, which I think were quite different than Practical Magic. I admit a curiosity about Practical Magic as I do about Garden Spells, but it has never been enough to propel me forward.

[[deleted user]]

I have not read this Hoffman book but I have really enjoyed some of her others. I loved the Dovekeepers. In saying that, not every book and author is for everyone.:) I love your honesty.

[Amy]

I think folks need to know that Alice Hoffman writes in multiple genres. She writes YA, contemporary fiction and historical fiction. I am her favorite fan, and I don’t love every single one of her books either. But her three historical fiction novels, the Dovekeepers, and the Marriage of Opposites - well they are in my top five for life. There are some others that have not been my favorites, and yet others that blew me away. Speaking specifically of Faithful, and the Third Angel. If I had started with the probable future, and I read in a long time ago, I would’ve never picked up this author again. And I must say, I really never got into Sarah Addison Adler/Green. I thought her books were rather insipid personally. Allen - that’s it. I just wouldn’t judge this either buy the one book that you read. If you hate her historical fiction, then she’s not for you. Joanne, we are often alike so fa, so I hope I got my penny of wisdom in.

[Joanne]

Amy wrote: "I think folks need to know that Alice Hoffman writes in multiple genres. She writes YA, contemporary fiction and historical fiction. I am her favorite fan, and I don’t love every single one of her ..."

I do want to read The Dovekeepers, so perhaps she may grab me with that one

[Amy]

Her third historical fiction is the Museum if Extraordinary Things.

[Nicole D.]

BNB - I should have worded it better ... I felt like SAA got all her ideas from this book.

[Booknblues]

Nicole D. wrote: "BNB - I should have worded it better ... I felt like SAA got all her ideas from this book."

Hah! I figured and she probably did. I haven't read either but I do respect Hoffman, even though I don't feel I want to read every book she wrote.

[Tracy]

I’ve liked most of the books I’ve read by her, but I ended up DNFing this one. I tried several times, and just couldn’t get into it.

[Kimberly]

Tracy wrote: "I’ve liked most of the books I’ve read by her, but I ended up DNFing this one. I tried several times, and just couldn’t get into it."

Oh! This was one of my favorites by Hoffman, I think I might even still own a copy!

[Susie]

I enjoyed The Marriage if Opposites, but The Dovekeepers was a DNF for me. I think she’s a tad too spiritual for my tastes.

[Amy]

And you guys know me - I love and live in the Spiritual. That’s how I find Alice Hoffman’s writing. Beautifully spiritual in every word.

[Jgrace]

She's hit or miss for me. I was lukewarm about Practical Magic when I read it, and on reflection would probably lower my rating. I enjoyed the connected short stories in The Red Garden and Blackbird House. The Marriage of Opposites is my favorite so far.

There was one book that I could not finish. And can't remember it's name so I'll probably pick it accidentally at some point. I really should create a DNF list to avoid that.

[Doughgirl5562]

Amy wrote: "I think folks need to know that Alice Hoffman writes in multiple genres. She writes YA, contemporary fiction and historical fiction. I am her favorite fan, and I don’t love every single one of her ..."

Thanks for the explanation. I do think her books have much more depth than SAA's books though, and wouldn't really call any of Hoffman's books Chick Lit - not even the early ones.

Alice Hoffman is very hit or miss with me. The first book that I read of hers was The River King, which I LOVED. But I didn't love The Probable Future or Seventh Heaven. The Ice Queen just left me shaking my head thinking I must have missed something. Blackbird House was OK, but not as good as I wanted it to be.

I haven't given up on her though - still looking for the book I will love as much as I did The River King. I do want to try The Dovekeepers because of the subject matter, and may try her other historical fiction.

[Kimberly]

Doughgirl5562 wrote: "Amy wrote: "I think folks need to know that Alice Hoffman writes in multiple genres. She writes YA, contemporary fiction and historical fiction. I am her favorite fan, and I don’t love every single..."

You know I love Paranormal, spiritual fiction, but I'm thinking I've really only read two by Hoffman: "Practical Magic", which I own a copy of and "The Probable Future", which I also own.

But her other books I haven't even attempted to read. After reading the synopsis on the inside flap I'm usually deterred by the violence/unhappiness described there...