A review by mackdaddy
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

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.