Monday, March 23, 2009

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Summary from Barnes and Noble:
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women had been blamed for everything that went wrong in their Massachusetts town. And Gillian and Sally endured that fate as well; as children, the sisters were outsiders. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, but all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One would do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they shared brought them back-almost as if by magic...

This was my first book by Alice Hoffman and I adored it. I'm cheating a bit by using the summary for Barnes and Noble but I couldn't figure out where to start summarizing. This cuts it down and gives you the gist without the spoilers so now I can share my thoughts. I loved this book and my first experience with this author. There is the hint of magic throughout the story but this book is mainly about love. The things that people will or won't do for love as well as the joys and pain that love causes. The beginning of the story moves quickly through the early years of Sally and Gillian's lives and their experiences and hardships that come from living with the Aunts. It then moves on to their lives as grown women and the moment that they are brought together again. There are no chapters in this book, rather the story is broken down into four (I believe) sections. Each of the parts of the story were woven together into the perfect story that it was. I was captivated with this novel and don't care if that is a cliche. LOL! :)

One of the things that kept me on edge with this book is that you never knew what was going to happen next. Hoffman includes enough twists and turns to keep the reader slightly off balance and trying to figure out the ending. I loved it and was inclined to read later and later into the night. The author wrote about love throughout the story and one particular passage that I marked said:

"This girl had no right to demand anything more. What had she thought, that love was a toy, something easy and sweet, just to play with? Real love was dangerous, it got you from inside and held on tight, and if you didn't let go fast enough you might be willing to do anything for its sake."

After reading that, don't you just love the way the author writes? She writes in such a fluid, descriptive way that I was able to picture the characters in my head with the way that she wrote them. I would hazard a guess that this book fits in with the magical realism genre which is a first for me. It definitely won't be my last though and I am going to be reading more from this author soon. I finally got the chance to see why Hoffman is a favorite of so many. What a magical tale and a perfect way to end the Winter Reading Challenge!

My Rating/Recommendations: 4 out of 5 and recommended to those who enjoy a great story with magical elements!
Challenges: Winter Reading Challenge, Year of Reading Dangerously, New Author Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge, A-Z Challenge ("P" Title), Support Library Challenge

18 comments:

  1. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! I actually didn't like it as much as the other books by her I've read so far (my favourite is The Ice Queen), but I still found it lovely in many ways :)

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  2. Nymeth- Thanks for letting me know about The Ice Queen. That will be the next book that I read by her and thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

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  3. I'm glad you enjoyed your first Alice Hoffman experience! I haven't read too much by her, but what I've read, I've loved. I'd strongly recommend reading "Here on Earth" - it's quieter, focuses on a family and relationships, but it's very wonderful. And especially if you enjoy Hoffman's writing, Here on Earth will definitely satisfy. :)

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  4. I loved the movie and the book. I've read all of Hoffman's books. She's one of my favorite authors.

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  5. I loved the movie but I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't read this one by Hoffman....but now when I get it from the library I can blame you for it!!! LOL!!! Great review, I like how you set it up and just told me what you thought about the book...that's what I truly am looking for in a review!!

    **Now I'm off to Goodreads to mark this book and to put you down as the culprit who recommended it to me!!

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  6. I adore the film and the couple of books I have read by Hoffman. This is next on my list to read actually and I hope I enjoy it as much as you did. I hope you read some of her other books.

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  7. I haven't read this author before - but you definitely have my interest with this review!! Sounds like a great "edge of your seat" read.

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  8. Heatherlo- Thanks for the recommendation. I have been trying to figure out what I want to read next by her so I'll add this to my TBR list.

    Dar- I didn't even know there was a movie relating to this book. I am going to have to check that out! Thanks :)

    Staci- LOL! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

    Rhinoa- I will be really interested in hearing your thoughts when you finish...and I will be watching for your review!

    Kara- This was my first book by this author and I really liked it. I had heard so many good things about her that I had to give her a try.

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  9. I just adored this one! I really want to re-read it one day so I can blog about it lol.

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  10. Ladytink- I enjoyed it as well :) And I don't blame you for wanting to reread it...it was really good.

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  11. I just finished my first Hoffman book, too, The Probably Future, which I loved. I'm definitely going to read more of hers.

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  12. Carol- I will add that one to my TBR list as well :) It really was an enjoyable first experience with this author!

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  13. Glad you liked it! I adore Alice Hoffmans work, she is great. You must read The Ice Queen.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  14. Naida- I know you like Alice Hoffman and I believe you were one of the reasons that led me to picking up one of her books. The Ice Queen is on my TBR list :)

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  15. Sometimes it's just easier to use the summary on the dust jacket or on B&N--I've only read a few of her books but they are difficult summarize for sure! I've been on the fence with this one--I really liked the movie and that usually means that I won't like the book as much (it's hard to go backwards). If you're looking for more, The Ice Queen was really good.

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  16. Trish- I am most certainly looking for more and you aren't the first to name Ice Queen. I will be picking that one up for sure! BTW- I haven't seen the movie so I have nothing to compare it to :)

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  17. That helps--it's hard when you already have something in your head. I liked the movie a lot, but I know sometimes it can be hard seeing the movie right after reading the book as well.

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  18. Trish- It definitely can be hard :) I'm glad that I got the chance to read the book first!

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