Alice Hoffman: Practical Magic (1995)
English language
Published Feb. 27, 1995
Practical Magic is a 1995 novel by Alice Hoffman. The book was adapted into a 1998 film of the same name. Hoffman has since released two prequel novels, The Rules of Magic (2017), and Magic Lessons (2020), and one sequel, The Book of Magic (2021).
This book ends strong but the first 3/4 is quite slow and muddling. In general, the tale is okay; but, I doubt I'll invest time in future novels.
With a dash of obsession thrown in.
This book must've came to me at the right time and place because I fell in love with it. It's probably just a hex put on me by the author. I'm okay with that.
This was a nearly perfect book. I have loved the film a long time (ever since before it was released, thanks to the old Victoria Magazine's photo shoot of that yummy magical kitchen). And have watched it multiple times.
Since my friends warned that the book was not the same, I sort of avoided reading the book. But finally got around to it, and I am so glad.
No, it's not the same as the film, more subtle. But oh -- the writing is pitch perfect and glorious. Magic weaves in and out of every paragraph, and the characters are so much more fully defined.
I LOVED everything about it. Really might be one of my favorite books in years. Thank you, Alice Hoffman!
