The sobbing witch in Left 4 Dead is a mysterious and haunting character that players encounter during gameplay. She is a special infected creature in the game, known for her distinctive appearance and cry. This character adds an extra element of suspense and fear to the already intense and chaotic world of the game. Unlike other common infected enemies, the sobbing witch is not aggressive towards players unless provoked. However, disturbing her or shining a flashlight on her will trigger her aggressive mode. When agitated, she becomes extremely dangerous and can quickly incapacitate or kill players with her powerful attacks.
Alice Hoffman
For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1680, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man.
Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the sixties, when the whole world is about to change, Susanna Owens knows that her three children are dangerously unique. Difficult Franny, with skin as pale as milk and blood red hair, shy and beautiful Jet, who can read other people’s thoughts, and charismatic Vincent, who began looking for trouble on the day he could walk.
From the start Susanna sets down rules for her children: No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And most importantly, never, ever, fall in love. But when her children visit their Aunt Isabelle, in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Yet, the children cannot escape love even if they try, just as they cannot escape the pains of the human heart. The two beautiful sisters will grow up to be the memorable aunts in Practical Magic, while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy.
Alice Hoffman delivers “fairy-tale promise with real-life struggle” (The New York Times Book Review) in a story how the only remedy for being human is to be true to yourself. Thrilling and exquisite, real and fantastical, The Rules of Magic is “irresistible…the kind of book you race through, then pause at the last forty pages, savoring your final moments with the characters” (USA TODAY, 4/4 stars).
Praise
"Reading an Alice Hoffman book is like falling into a deep dream where senses are heightened and love reigns supreme. The Rules of Magic is no exception.”
—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things
“Hoffman delights in this prequel to Practical Magic as three siblings discover both the power and curse of their magic. Hoffman’s novel is a coming-of-age tale replete with magic and historical references to the early witch trials. The spellbinding story, focusing on the strength of family bonds through joy and sorrow, will appeal to a broad range of readers. Fans of Practical Magic will be bewitched.”
—Publishers Weekly starred review
“The Owens sisters are back—not in their previous guise as elderly aunties casting spells in Hoffman’s occult romance Practical Magic (1995), but as fledgling witches in the New York City captured in Patti Smith’s memoir Just Kids… No one’s more confident or entertaining than Hoffman at putting across characters willing to tempt fate for true love.”
—Kirkus Review
“I was enraptured by this fabulous book, which is filled with magic and charm.”
—Terri Smith, Library Reads
“Hoffman’s writing is frank, tender, vivid, and elusive all at once. Full of sorrow and beauty and courage, The Rules of Magic is a delicious, satisfying read.”
—Heather Herbaugh, Mitzi’s Books, Rapid City, SD, Indie Next List
“I got so swept up in this enchanting story and I can’t wait for you all to start reading it!”
—Reese Witherspoon
“This is the kind of book you race through, then pause at the last 40 pages, savoring your final moments with the characters.”
—USA TODAY
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1) (Paperback)
This is book number 1 in the The Practical Magic Series series.
- #2: The Rules of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #2) (Paperback): $16.99
- #4: The Book of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #4) (Paperback): $17.99
Related Editions
- CD-Audio (October 10th, 2017): $19.99
Description
*25th Anniversary Edition*—with an Introduction by the Author!
The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic.
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic.
“Splendid. Practical Magic is one of [Hoffman's] best novels, showing on every page her gift for touching ordinary life as if with a wand, to reveal how extraordinary life really is.”—Newsweek
“[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible.”—Cosmopolitan
About the Author
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew, The Rules of Magic (A Reese’s Book Club pick), Practical Magic, The Marriage of Opposites, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. She lives near Boston.
Praise For…
Praise for Practical Magic
“A beautiful, moving book about the power of love and the desires of the heart.”—Denver Post
“Charmingly told, and a good deal of fun.”—The New York Times Book Review
“One of her most lyrical works. Hoffman is at her best.”—San Francisco Chronicle Book Review
“Written with a light hand and rhythm. Practical Magic has the pace of a fairy tale but with the impact of accomplished fiction.”—People
“A sweet, sweet story that like the best fairy tales says more than at first it seems to.”—New York Daily News
“[Hoffman] has proved once again her potency as a storyteller, combining the mundane with the fantastic in a totally engaging way.”—The Orlando Sentinel
“Hoffman's writing has plenty of power. Her best sentences are like incantations—they won't let you get away.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Witches and ghosts, spells and sleight-of-hand weave a fanciful atmosphere in Alice Hoffman's tender comedy about clairvoyance, spells, and family ties.”—The Miami Herald
“A cosmic romance leavened with just the right touch of pragmatism and humor.”—Booklist
- Fiction / Literary
- Fiction / Women
- Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary
- CD-Audio (October 10th, 2017): $19.99
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1) (Paperback)
**Book listings on our website do not always reflect the current availability of books on our store shelves. Check a book's in-store availability above the "add to cart" button. Or to be certain that a book you've found on our website is also here on our shelves, feel free to call us at 615-953-2243**
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1) (Paperback)
By Alice Hoffman, Alice Hoffman (Introduction by)$19.00
On Our Shelves Now 1 on hand, as of Jan 15 10:06pm (Fiction)Other Books in Series
This is book number 1 in the The Practical Magic Series series.
- #2: The Rules of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #2) (Paperback): $16.99
- #4: The Book of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #4) (Paperback): $17.99
*25th Anniversary Edition*—with an Introduction by the Author!
The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic.
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic.
“Splendid. Practical Magic is one of [Hoffman's] best novels, showing on every page her gift for touching ordinary life as if with a wand, to reveal how extraordinary life really is.”—Newsweek
“[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible.”—Cosmopolitan
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew, The Rules of Magic (A Reese’s Book Club pick), Practical Magic, The Marriage of Opposites, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. She lives near Boston.
- Fiction / Literary
- Fiction / Women
- Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary
Praise for Practical Magic
“A beautiful, moving book about the power of love and the desires of the heart.”—Denver Post
“Charmingly told, and a good deal of fun.”—The New York Times Book Review
“One of her most lyrical works. Hoffman is at her best.”—San Francisco Chronicle Book Review
“Written with a light hand and rhythm. Practical Magic has the pace of a fairy tale but with the impact of accomplished fiction.”—People
“A sweet, sweet story that like the best fairy tales says more than at first it seems to.”—New York Daily News
“[Hoffman] has proved once again her potency as a storyteller, combining the mundane with the fantastic in a totally engaging way.”—The Orlando Sentinel
“Hoffman's writing has plenty of power. Her best sentences are like incantations—they won't let you get away.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Witches and ghosts, spells and sleight-of-hand weave a fanciful atmosphere in Alice Hoffman's tender comedy about clairvoyance, spells, and family ties.”—The Miami Herald
“A cosmic romance leavened with just the right touch of pragmatism and humor.”—Booklist
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1)
The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic.
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic.
“Splendid. Practical Magic is one of [Hoffman's] best novels, showing on every page her gift for touching ordinary life as if with a wand, to reveal how extraordinary life really is.”—Newsweek
“[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible.”—Cosmopolitan
When agitated, she becomes extremely dangerous and can quickly incapacitate or kill players with her powerful attacks. The most striking aspect of the sobbing witch is her mournful cry, which is both eerie and unsettling. This cry echoes through the game's environments, making it easier for players to locate her presence.
About the Author
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew, The Rules of Magic (A Reese’s Book Club pick), Practical Magic, The Marriage of Opposites, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. She lives near Boston.
Praise for Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1)
Praise for Practical Magic
“A beautiful, moving book about the power of love and the desires of the heart.”—Denver Post
“Charmingly told, and a good deal of fun.”—The New York Times Book Review
“One of her most lyrical works. Hoffman is at her best.”—San Francisco Chronicle Book Review
“Written with a light hand and rhythm. Practical Magic has the pace of a fairy tale but with the impact of accomplished fiction.”—People
“A sweet, sweet story that like the best fairy tales says more than at first it seems to.”—New York Daily News
“[Hoffman] has proved once again her potency as a storyteller, combining the mundane with the fantastic in a totally engaging way.”—The Orlando Sentinel
“Hoffman's writing has plenty of power. Her best sentences are like incantations—they won't let you get away.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Witches and ghosts, spells and sleight-of-hand weave a fanciful atmosphere in Alice Hoffman's tender comedy about clairvoyance, spells, and family ties.”—The Miami Herald
“A cosmic romance leavened with just the right touch of pragmatism and humor.”—Booklist
The sobbing witch's emotional wailing adds to the game's horror atmosphere, making players more cautious and afraid to stumble upon her. To successfully navigate around the witch, players must exercise caution and stealth. Disturbing her can attract other infected creatures in the vicinity, which further complicates the situation. Therefore, the key strategy when encountering the sobbing witch is to bypass her quietly and avoid unnecessary confrontations. Overall, the sobbing witch in Left 4 Dead is an iconic character that enhances the game's horror experience. Her distinct appearance, mournful cry, and deadly nature make encounters with her both terrifying and an integral part of the gameplay. Players must develop strategies to navigate around her, adding an extra layer of challenge to the already intense world of Left 4 Dead..
Reviews for "The Sobbing Witch's Connection to Supernatural Forces in Left 4 Dead"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "The sobbing witch in Left 4 Dead". The game was overly focused on this one character, and it got repetitive and irritating after a while. The sobbing sound became unbearable, and it took away from the overall experience of the game. The game designers should have focused on creating a more diverse and engaging gameplay rather than relying on a single annoying character.
2. Emily - 1 star
"The sobbing witch in Left 4 Dead" ruined the entire game for me. The constant sobbing noise became unbearable within minutes of playing, and it distracted me from enjoying the game. It felt like a cheap scare tactic that grew tiresome quickly. I couldn't focus on the actual gameplay because I was constantly annoyed by the sobbing. I would not recommend this game to anyone who is looking for an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience.
3. Alex - 2.5 stars
While "The sobbing witch in Left 4 Dead" had potential, it was ruined by the exaggerated focus on this one character. At first, it was a unique and creepy addition to the game, but it quickly became repetitive and annoying. The constant sobbing sound was a distraction and took away from the overall immersive experience. It's a shame because the rest of the game was fairly enjoyable, but the sobbing witch element ruined it for me. I would have enjoyed the game more if the developers had struck a better balance between different elements of horror rather than relying solely on the sobbing witch.