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part_time_dreamer's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is one of those rare cases of the movie being better then the book. The premise of the novel is really enticing, yet the execution isn't what you would expect. It really is a slice of life sort of book that doesn't really revolve around a main plot point or antagonist. It simply dives into the Owens sisters life, how the two main sisters grew up and who they became, and the slow development of their character arc when a bigger plot point occurs that steers their paths back into each others life again. Anyone interested in a slice of life, semi-magical, and down to Earth story, this is the book to go. It isn't bad, but it isn't as much the whimsical story many people might seek especially if they watched the movie prior to picking this book up.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
At one point a character is almost caught by men intending to do ill towards her, the scene is a bit distressing and takes account her point of view as well as fear if the men had caught her.sulfurandbrimstone74's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Rape
agrandreflection's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
How is this a classic? I have never seen so much subversive feminine power subsumed into toxic patriarchal bullshit.
This is not the feminine empowerment I'm looking for. This is homesteading through folk cures to appease your sex craved husband (who is only slightly less problematic than the literal murderer you may or may not have escaped from).
I get that it's a bit of a product of it's time, but geez. This is not empowering. This upholds limiting gender norms, and has a small view of what thriving looks like for men and women alike. Hell, for all the romance littered throughout, it's also got a miniscule vision of love itself. We deserve better examples than this.
One extra star for the good use of lightning as metaphor tho.
This is not the feminine empowerment I'm looking for. This is homesteading through folk cures to appease your sex craved husband (who is only slightly less problematic than the literal murderer you may or may not have escaped from).
I get that it's a bit of a product of it's time, but geez. This is not empowering. This upholds limiting gender norms, and has a small view of what thriving looks like for men and women alike. Hell, for all the romance littered throughout, it's also got a miniscule vision of love itself. We deserve better examples than this.
One extra star for the good use of lightning as metaphor tho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Rape
ce_read's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I was raised on the movie so it's hard not to compare the two. The writing could be a bit hoakey and ham-fisted for me at times, but ultimately compelling and entertaining. I second some other reviews that said some characters were introduced abruptly or not well-enough developed, and of there were themes or plot devices, I didn't pick up on them. Not my usual fare
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Bullying, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Death
chasingpages1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Car accident, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Stalking, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Rape
suziem00n's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
This book was not what I first expected. It had a lot more dark themes than I thought, and involved some serious topics. However I enjoyed how the story ended, and enjoyed the subtle hints to witchcraft throughout. I read this as a stand alone book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide
euphemiajo's review against another edition
adventurous
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Animal death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual violence, Animal cruelty, Drug use, Murder, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Violence
cocacolor's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
First: this isn't a rom-com, and the movie is nothing like the book in terms of atmosphere and tone at all. Tonally, if the entire genre of women's fiction and A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS had a baby, it would be PRACTICAL MAGIC.
I'd read another Hoffman before, the historical THE WORLD THAT WE KNEW, and wasn't terribly impressed by it, so I came here expecting more of the same. Here, though, Hoffman's style really does work. Though the characters are also drawn in broad brushstrokes and the romances instant, PRACTICAL MAGIC really makes it feel like more of a conscious nod to fairy tales than simply bland writing. The omniscient narrator, who sometimes switches the character being followed within the same paragraph, the doses of wisdom, and the lyricism all combine to make a great experience; Hoffman knows exactly when to dole out backstory to make the reader appreciate their increasingly more whole understanding of the Owens family and the world.
I'm of two minds, though, because the political imagination at work here isn't great. Everyone is white; everyone is heterosexual. The cure for the characters' flaws is the right man. The main characters are all neatly paired off at the end; just find your true love and you'll be fixed, Hoffman seems to say. The pre-cell phone milieu is interesting and evocative, but drives home the kind of stifling suburban whiteness that characters aspire to.
Overall, a serious and occasionally dark book about sisterhood and female family members in a magical realism milieu, where the cure for all conflict is heterosexual romance.
I'd read another Hoffman before, the historical THE WORLD THAT WE KNEW, and wasn't terribly impressed by it, so I came here expecting more of the same. Here, though, Hoffman's style really does work. Though the characters are also drawn in broad brushstrokes and the romances instant, PRACTICAL MAGIC really makes it feel like more of a conscious nod to fairy tales than simply bland writing. The omniscient narrator, who sometimes switches the character being followed within the same paragraph, the doses of wisdom, and the lyricism all combine to make a great experience; Hoffman knows exactly when to dole out backstory to make the reader appreciate their increasingly more whole understanding of the Owens family and the world.
I'm of two minds, though, because the political imagination at work here isn't great. Everyone is white; everyone is heterosexual. The cure for the characters' flaws is the right man. The main characters are all neatly paired off at the end; just find your true love and you'll be fixed, Hoffman seems to say. The pre-cell phone milieu is interesting and evocative, but drives home the kind of stifling suburban whiteness that characters aspire to.
Overall, a serious and occasionally dark book about sisterhood and female family members in a magical realism milieu, where the cure for all conflict is heterosexual romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Death, Rape, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent and Panic attacks/disorders
funktious's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’ve been meaning to read this for ages, so was disappointed to discover it was quite so narrator-driven, a style I always dislike. It just feels like being spoon fed everything. Otherwise I liked the atmosphere and the family, although not all the members. I wish there had more time spent with the aunts, but I suppose Sally and Gillian had to come round to understanding the aunts at the end. Too much focus on appearances (maybe Kylie could be kind and insightful and sweet without also being stunningly beautiful?) and everyone being partnered up. Very 90s.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Domestic abuse
madison26_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Animal death, Bullying, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Violence