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thesonnetsilence's review against another edition
Graphic: Gaslighting, Murder, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
internationalreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Sexism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
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
blewballoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Bullying, Sexism, and Sexual assault
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
- 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
atlanticgiantpumpkin'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
3.75
Graphic: Sexual violence, Death, Murder, Stalking, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Bullying, and Alcohol
howie_e's review against another edition
- 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
1.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexism