Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Practical Magic

Practical Magic
Practical Magic
Author: Alice Hoffman
ISBN: 67155
Edition: Abridged
Rating:
  • Currently 1.8/5 Stars.
 2

1.8 stars, based on 2 ratings
Book Type: Audio Cassette
Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Write a Review
We're sorry, our database doesn't have book description information for this item. Check Amazon's database -- you can return to this page by closing the new browser tab/window if you want to obtain the book from PaperBackSwap.

Top Member Book Reviews

Leigh avatar reviewed Practical Magic on + 378 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
The title, alone, could describe Hoffman's enchanting way with words. Her descriptions and narration place you *right there* with the other characters in Massachusetts. I love the juxtaposition of the two sisters - both pursued different paths, yet are bound by a commonality of the mystical.

If you've seen the movie and liked it, do yourself a favor and read this. It's better than the movie, offers more depth, and if you ask me, a better ending, too.
reviewed Practical Magic on
Helpful Score: 8
This will be one of the hardback favorites I will add to my permanent library. I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book and could have easily finished it in a day.

Hoffman's descriptions are rich and captivating, intoxicating.
myfanwy avatar reviewed Practical Magic on
Helpful Score: 7
Wow. This book is so far from the movie it is a bit difficult to see how they can even say it's the same story. There are a very few things that are the same, and beyond that is a different story. But, it is a wonderful story and I have enjoyed reading it very much. In my opinion, it is better than the movie, as most books are. The characters have more depth and a wider variety of emotions. The story covers a longer period of time. The story is even set in a different town and state than the movie. All in all, I highly recommend this book. And, if you like the movie, you will love the book!!
farfella68 avatar reviewed Practical Magic on + 84 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I found this book both entertaining and delightful. It is about two sisters Gillian and Sally who grow up in their aunts' house. The aunts seem to have magical or mythical powers and use herbs or potions to accomplish whatever tasks are presented to them. The book started out talking about the sisters as children and ended with them grown up, and Sally has children of her own. I really enjoyed this book. It presented enough mystery and romance to spice up the time spent reading the book. It was definitely a worthwhile experience.
reviewed Practical Magic on + 124 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This book has been into a movie- but the book is MUCH better then the movie.
Read All 73 Book Reviews of "Practical Magic"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed Practical Magic on
An amazing book about the bond between sisters. Witches, Magic, curses, death and most of all love.Need I say more?
mommahalo avatar reviewed Practical Magic on + 24 more book reviews
It was a very intriguing book but it jumped around too much and left me confused on some things. A very vulgar book for my taste and sometimes too harsh for my liking. But it did give me a more in depth look into the Owens family than the movie offered.
froot avatar reviewed Practical Magic on + 178 more book reviews
It's a keeper.
Beautifully written. I was always a fan of the movie, but this was so much more. For fans: The movie kept true to the spirit of this great read. It took me a bit to follow the transitions between characters. Hoffman has a dialog transgression that can easily be missed, but so well thought out when it plays together you feel as though you have become a part of this Owens family. I loved the old wives tales woven into this. The descripitions Hoffman gives of everything involved really brings you ingaged as a reader. I loved the love stories that unfolded for every character. I loved the complete emphasis on the importance of family. This book really is Practical Magic.
pbandjae avatar reviewed Practical Magic on + 5 more book reviews
This is one of the very few books that have been turned into movies where I actually liked the movie better. The way magic is woven into the lives of the women almost makes it TOO commonplace. A good read nonetheless.
LadyBook81 avatar reviewed Practical Magic on + 60 more book reviews
This wasn't too bad. I wish the movie had followed the book a little bit more. My only big gripe with this book was the way it flowed. Scenes blended in a way that made the interrupted the flow.
reviewed Practical Magic on + 7 more book reviews
The book differs a little from the movie. (I saw the movie before reading the book.) I thought it was a fun, quick read.
reviewed Practical Magic on + 3 more book reviews
Nothing like the movie, but it was a very good book. I would recomen that if you like the movie you should read this book.
porschaine avatar reviewed Practical Magic on + 4 more book reviews
Great book!
reviewed Practical Magic on + 2 more book reviews
Completely different than the movie. But in a good way. Writer sometimes a little too descriptive, and has a tendency to get off track but all in all a good read.
bran-flakes14 avatar reviewed Practical Magic on + 72 more book reviews
This is a fun, light fantasy that explores the ideas of love, life, and family with a hint of magic thrown in to spice up the proceedings. Telling the story of two young women born into a long line of witches, and their special sisterly relationship that grows through their various trials and tribulations - both natural and supernatural -, this book is easy to read and is very engaging and ethereal in its writing. The world in which the story is set is exactly like our own, but magic is treated in a drastically understated manner, which makes the references to the supernatural that much more immersive and believable. A true delight to read, the perfect book to read on the porch swing with a cup of steamy tea!
reviewed Practical Magic on
Decent book. I love the movie, wish the book was more like the movie.
DesertShaman avatar reviewed Practical Magic on + 203 more book reviews
Absolutely beautiful! Hoffman's prose draws you in and makes you feel you are dreaming.
reviewed Practical Magic on + 60 more book reviews
thoroughly enjoyed this audio cassette (note that this ISBN is an abridgement, though I don't think the details disclose that!)
anilakevani avatar reviewed Practical Magic on + 20 more book reviews
Entertaining.
reviewed Practical Magic on + 5 more book reviews
This is the book that the eponymous movie starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman was based on; however, as with many movie adapatations, it is extremely different than the book. The book is good, but if you are expecting a repeat of the movie, you'll be disapointed. It stands well on its own.


Genres: