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cocacolor's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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
eve_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
⁕ Hoffman's writing style is very distinct. She uses a lot of quirky metaphors and sensual descriptions that create an overall sense of fairytale-like nostalgia. I didn't feel super connected to the characters or even the plot while reading, but just the general sense of fall coziness that her writing provides was enough to keep me happy.
⁕ I love that Hoffman keeps the themes of sisterhood and family at the forefront. While, again, I didn't feel super passionate about the characters, her honest depictions of family feuds was the closest they got to being relatable.
⁕ I didn't really care for any of the love interests. Many of the relationships relied upon the "love at first sight" and fate tropes, so there was no natural development and they just simply weren't interesting.
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Moderate: Sexual assault, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
lydia123's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was surprised how little magic there was in the book. Definitely something to be aware of if you’re expecting it.
I’d also say that this book suffers from 90s-itis (everything is comforting and whimsical and beautiful) which can be offputting if you aren’t used to it. Personally, I love it.
I also felt that there was soooo much backstory … even at the end!!! What??
Anyway, all that being said - i really liked this book. I wanted something witchy and comforting & that is what I got :)
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Death, Sexual content, and Bullying
lenagf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Grief and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism and Bullying
Minor: Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, and Car accident
uranaishi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy, Drug use, Abortion, Cursing, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Violence, Vomit, Murder, Alcohol, and Blood
madison26_'s review against another edition
- 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
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
thealienamongus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death and Infidelity
zannayo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Addiction, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Sexism, Car accident, and Panic attacks/disorders
jasmine256's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Death of parent
thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content