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A review by mariakureads
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I love watching this movie over and over so I figured it was about time to read the source and the two are different enough that I'm at a bit of a crossroads here but I found this to be a solid read.
For one, I like that the Sally's girls are teens in the book vs kids in the film since it lead a different aspect to the story and showcased Sally in a bit of a vulnerable light aside from being a widow, but a single mom on the verge of losing her girls if she's not careful.
Another is that very little magic happens. Lots of hints of magical things but it's just the I fluence of it and not the actual doing which I miss. It's such a visual in the film that I kept waiting for something that never came.
The additional small snippets of the aunts was a welcoming new fact for me since the film didn't give too much insight but here, there were little morsels throughout about their younger selves, the family, and Maria Owens that I'm sure get talked about in the other books.
All in all, the book and it's characters are so different from their movie counterparts, especially the relationships all the women have towards each other, Sally's daughters included, that I find I can enjoy them as separate pieces.
For one, I like that the Sally's girls are teens in the book vs kids in the film since it lead a different aspect to the story and showcased Sally in a bit of a vulnerable light aside from being a widow, but a single mom on the verge of losing her girls if she's not careful.
Another is that very little magic happens. Lots of hints of magical things but it's just the I fluence of it and not the actual doing which I miss. It's such a visual in the film that I kept waiting for something that never came.
The additional small snippets of the aunts was a welcoming new fact for me since the film didn't give too much insight but here, there were little morsels throughout about their younger selves, the family, and Maria Owens that I'm sure get talked about in the other books.
All in all, the book and it's characters are so different from their movie counterparts, especially the relationships all the women have towards each other, Sally's daughters included, that I find I can enjoy them as separate pieces.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse