The Book of Magic is a novel by Alice Hoffman that delves deep into the world of magic and the power it holds over people's lives. Hoffman has always been known for her lyrical and enchanting prose, and this book is no exception. The story follows a group of characters who are each grappling with their own personal struggles and desires. From a young girl seeking revenge on those who have wronged her to a woman desperately trying to save her crumbling marriage, their lives intersect in magical and unexpected ways. Hoffman weaves together multiple narrative threads seamlessly, creating a tapestry of interconnected lives and experiences. The reader is transported to a world where the line between reality and magic becomes blurred, and where the power of spells and enchantments can have lasting consequences.
Alice Hoffman concludes the story of the Owens family with a joyous cry of a novel. When I opened the first page, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these witchy women I got to know in the classic Practical Magic. But I returned to their curious house in Massachusetts because it felt like being welcomed home after a long time away. The large cast of characters welcome you and whisper their secrets in prophetic dreams and old spell books waiting for fate to open their pages. Here are three generations of the Owens family doing everything they can to break the curse that has plagued them for over two centuries. But like the wise aunt Jet says, “Everything worthwhile is dangerous.” What is more worthwhile than family and love?
In the conclusion to Hoffman s Practical Magic series, a present-day family of witches and healers wages a final battle against the curse that has plagued them since 1680. Master storyteller Alice Hoffman brings us the conclusion of the Practical Magic series in a spellbinding and enchanting final Owens novel brimming with lyric beauty and vivid characters.
The reader is transported to a world where the line between reality and magic becomes blurred, and where the power of spells and enchantments can have lasting consequences. One of the most compelling aspects of The Book of Magic is the way in which Hoffman explores the darker side of magic. She delves into the idea that magic is not always benevolent, but can be a force that can be used for both good and evil.
The bkoo of magkc alice hoffman
The final installment in the "Practical Magic" series is a whirlwind journey of magic, curses, and familial love.
Good to know
- 400+ pages
- Family drama
- Forbidden love
- International
Synopsis
The Owens family has been cursed in matters of love for over three-hundred years but all of that is about to change. The novel begins in a library, the best place for a story to be conjured, when beloved aunt Jet Owens hears the deathwatch beetle and knows she has only seven days to live. Jet is not the only one in danger—the curse is already at work.
A frantic attempt to save a young man’s life spurs three generations of the Owens women, and one long-lost brother, to use their unusual gifts to break the curse as they travel from Paris to London to the English countryside where their ancestor Maria Owens first practiced the Unnamed Art. The younger generation discovers secrets that have been hidden from them in matters of both magic and love by Sally, their fiercely protective mother. As Kylie Owens uncovers the truth about who she is and what her own dark powers are, her aunt Franny comes to understand that she is ready to sacrifice everything for her family, and Sally Owens realizes that she is willing to give up everything for love.
The Book of Magic is a breathtaking conclusion that celebrates mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers, and anyone who has ever been in love.
Free sample
Get an early look from the first pages of The Book of Magic.The Book of Magic
I.
Some stories begin at the beginning and others begin at the end, but all the best stories begin in a library. It was there that Jet Owens saw her fate in a mirror behind the reference desk. Even in her eighties, Jet was still beautiful. Each day she washed with the black soap the family prepared in March during the dark phase of the moon, with every bar then wrapped in crinkly cellophane. Jet had no aches or pains and had never been ill a day in her life, but fate is fate and it can often be what you least expect it to be. On this day, when the daffodils had begun to bloom, Jet saw that she had seven days to live.
The deathwatch beetle had begun to call from within the walls of the Owens Library, a sound that often went unnoticed until it was so loud it was all a person could hear. When your time came, the black beetle would withdraw from hiding and follow you everywhere, no matter where you went. Its presence meant that the past was over and the future no longer existed. This was the moment that revealed how you had walked through the world, with kindness or with fear, with your heart open or closed. It had take this long for Jet to appreciate that every instant was a marvel. Now everything she saw was illuminated. The sun streaming through the library windows in fierce bands of orange light. A moth tapping at the glass. The sweep of the branches of one of the last elm trees in the commonwealth, which shadowed the library’s lawn. Some people unravel or run for shelter when their time has come, they curse their fate or hide under their beds, but Jet knew exactly what she wished to do in the last days she’d been granted. She didn’t have to think twice.
Why I love it
Zoraida Córdova
Author, The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina
I believe. In what, I’m not always sure, but there’s always a pulse of it there. Sometimes it’s that a cup of tea or coffee can cure any mood. Sometimes I believe that the constellations have conspired to steal my luck. The Book of Magic is a book about belief in the most ephemeral things—love, magic, and hope.
Alice Hoffman concludes the story of the Owens family with a joyous cry of a novel. When I opened the first page, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these witchy women I got to know in the classic Practical Magic. But I returned to their curious house in Massachusetts because it felt like being welcomed home after a long time away. The large cast of characters welcome you and whisper their secrets in prophetic dreams and old spell books waiting for fate to open their pages. Here are three generations of the Owens family doing everything they can to break the curse that has plagued them for over two centuries. But like the wise aunt Jet says, “Everything worthwhile is dangerous.” What is more worthwhile than family and love?
Hoffman’s words are a love song to the people who go against the grain. Those of us who don’t quite fit—witches, rebels, bookworms, free spirits. So, grab a cup of Courage Tea, and a slice of Tipsy Cake, and settle in for an enchanting tale.
An overly rich treacle tart, sweet and flavorful but hard to get through.
The characters in the book must confront their own desires and motivations as they navigate this complex world of magic. Hoffman's writing style is both vivid and lyrical, bringing the world of magic to life on the page. Her descriptions of spells and enchantments are evocative, allowing the reader to truly immerse themselves in the story. The Book of Magic is a thought-provoking and enchanting novel that explores the power and consequences of magic. Hoffman's prose is as magical as the world she creates, and readers will be captivated by the richly drawn characters and intricate plot. This book is a must-read for fans of both fantasy and literary fiction..
Reviews for "Unraveling the Mystery of "The Book of Magic" by Alice Hoffman"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "The Book of Magic" by Alice Hoffman. I was expecting a captivating and enchanting story, but instead, I found it to be slow-paced and uninteresting. The characters lacked depth, and I struggled to connect with any of them. The plot felt disjointed, and it was difficult to follow the various storylines. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and not worth the time and effort.
2. Sarah - 1 star
"The Book of Magic" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was difficult to read, with long-winded descriptions that added very little to the story. I couldn't get invested in the characters, who seemed flat and one-dimensional. The pacing was extremely slow, and it felt like nothing was happening for the majority of the book. The magic aspect of the story was underdeveloped and lacked creativity. I was hoping for a magical and immersive experience, but instead, I was left feeling bored and uninterested.
3. Alex - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Book of Magic" but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The narrative was confusing, jumping between different timelines and perspectives without clear transitions. The lack of coherence made it difficult to fully engage with the story. Additionally, the characters were forgettable and lacked complexity. The magical elements felt forced and overly simplistic. Overall, I found the book to be mediocre and lacking the magic and charm I was anticipating.