Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Practical Magic (Practical Magic, #1)

by Alice Hoffman

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 which never escapes from them. Many years go by before strange circumstances thrust them together again, and again they are in a world that blends the mundane and the mysterious, the familiar and the fantastic, the normal and the numinous. Three generations of Owens women are then united in an experience of unexpected insight and revelation, teaching all of them that the perceptions provided by what is called the magical are rare and wonderful endowments.

Reviewed by kimbacaffeinate on

3 of 5 stars

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In anticipation of THE RULES OF MAGIC, a book about the Aunts, I decide to grab this on audio and listen. I am so delighted that I did. The story was delightful with its magical realism, lively characters and those aunts had me laughing.

The story was just as charming as I remember with its magical realism, animated characters, and suspenseful story. Fans of Sarah Addison Allen's Garden Spell will enjoy Hoffman's writing. If you've only watched the movie, the basic story and characters are there, but the execution is very different. Some scenes were added and others cut from the film. It was funny listening as I imagined Sandra Bullock and Nichole Kidman in my head. And let's not forget handsome Aidan Quinn as Gary.

Hoffman's writing is beautiful with these passages that deliver insight. When I read the book years ago, the middle dragged, and I will be the first to admit I loved the movie more. I am delighted to say that the audio left me feeling more like I did after watching the movie the first time. The narration just brings the characters to life in a way the book did not.

Christina Moore narrated, and I am delighted to hear she will be narrating THE RULES OF MAGIC which releases October 2017. She did a splendid job with pacing, inflection and creating atmosphere. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 16 August, 2017: Finished reading
  • 16 August, 2017: Reviewed