Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Il giardino delle magie

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Il giardino delle magie by Alice Hoffman

36 reviews

nicolewhopickedthisbook's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional 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

2.5

Maybe it’s because I love the movie but the book just didn’t do it for me… it was similar enough where it was still enjoyable but it didn’t have the same wonder and, quiet frankly, magic, as the movie did… maybe if I’d read the book first 🤷🏼‍♀️

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eve_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

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

Overall Thoughts:
⁕ 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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blewballoon's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

I rated this so low because when I tried to think of things I liked about the book I could hardly come up with any (the small bits of magic stuff, the bonds between the sisters), and I could come up with so much I didn't like or even hated (the portrayal of women in love, the men in general, the animal cruelty, meandering prose that felt like reading a summary of events rather than a book, the toxic relationships, the unnecessary references to sexual assault and harassment, and more). I watched the movie and it was definitely better, but still not great. They changed a lot and left out a lot, which is for the best. If you are worried you are missing out by not watching/reading either, I promise you're not.

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lydia123's review against another edition

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mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A very cute and Halloweeny read. Alice Hoffman is brilliant at atmospheric and comforting writing so this book is perfect for curling up with a cup of tea on an autumnal day.

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 :)

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