Reviews

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

joreads1979's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

dannycakez8808's review against another edition

4.0

I am ecstatic that I finally got around to read Practical Magic! I feel like it is a cult classic and it definetly lived up to the hype. This was a very atmospheric read with a character driven story. I loved the magical elements and the picture the author's words painted. There are definetly some harder subjects discussed but the author did a fantastic job at describing them.

emmakslone's review against another edition

4.0

Had my hesitancies about this book at first and the writing style itself was a bit of an adjustment, but it grew on me and I was hooked! Such a good read

taylorziegler's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

mackdaddy's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

It’s hard not to compare this book to the movie. Over and over I see reviews that say the movie was much better, but I would almost say that they were simply two completely different stories. Both are about women empowering themselves, but the book is much more nuanced and fleshed out. The scene where Kylie is running through the field hit me so hard. It felt so raw and relatable. The trouble in Gillian’s relationships felt so much more real. The book just fleshed every character out to be so much more of a woman, and then played with what that means in their relationships with men and women around them.
Additionally, what is witchcraft in the book is much more realistic than the movie it really makes you believe.

mjminkowich's review

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

kaylink's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.0

warriorwitchwillow's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

sarahelizaedwards's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lpip's review against another edition

4.0

Equal parts light-hearted and serious, and much less about magic than I was expecting! I enjoyed the story but kind of struggled with our chapters and the changing perspectives every paragraph.