Book Review: Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Synopsis

For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. 

One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic…

Rating

★★★★★

Thoughts

Wow! Alice Hoffman cast a spell on me, as I was immediately drawn into the characters and their stories as soon as I started reading this book. This is the first book I’ve read by Hoffman, and I’m incredibly sorry it’s taken me so long to join this wonderfully witchy party.

For me, Practical Magic was a completely charming read, leaving me wanting to continue the story with Hoffman’s other books. The characters in this family are all unique, flawed, and quirky—which makes them all the more lovable. The story could be categorized as fantasy, romance, and family drama, a mix that keeps the story moving in all the right directions. While it touches on some heavier topics, I didn’t find them too uncomfortable, likely due to the way the story is written. It’s quite whimsical!

My lovely book is a signed edition purchased by my beloved from Easton Press. The black leather cover and gold illustrations of cats, moons, stars, and ivy are enchanting, and just the thing to encase this magical story.

Quote

“My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage.” 

Question

What is your favorite witchy story?