Rating: 
Summary: I loved the story . . . but hated how it was written
Review: The first thing to know about the book is that it isn't really at all like the movie with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. So it's almost like false advertisement to have the movie's pictures on the bookcover. Don't get me wrong, both the book and movie are great in their own right. The problem I had with Hoffman's writing was that it was mainly in the narrative. This almost always keeps a reader from connecting with the characters so you're not as involved or moved, so the book never reaches its full potential. It also makes reading it more stilted, awkward although writing in the narrative--without any offense to Hoffman--is cake.The plot on the other hand is great. Superb. This is one of those books that you struggle to get through--not because it's hard to get but because it starts to drag (another sign of too much narrative)--and then love it in hindsight. If you read this, there will be things that you won't forget for a long time. Mostly the little things. One of the Owens' ancestors dancing on broken glass in the moonlight, the story of Maria, cats following Sally home. The detail is amazing and I don't say that lightly, the connection that Sally and Gilly have are described excellantly and overall, if Ms. Hoffman had just written it more from the view of a participant rather than an observer I would have loved it that much more. I actually wish the movie had been more like the book in details. Like Sally's girls are older and there was a lot more character development in the book of all the persons. I do suggest that you read this though because I think I'm the only person picky enough to mind how the book was actually written. My only valid warning though is to not expect it to be like the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Better Story Line than the Movie
Review: I found I liked the book better than the movie even though I'm not entirely thrilled with the author's style of writing which is why I gave it a 4 instead of a 5. The story fits together much nicer and makes more sense. The ending is better than the movie, too. Probably the only thread that I liked better in the movie and that I missed in the book was Sally's wish for her ideal man and the daughters manipulation to bring them together. This is a fairly good love story(s).
Rating:
Summary: I actually liked the movie better
Review: This book was made into the recent movie with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Rarely have I ever said that the movie was better than the book, but I think I'm going to have to make that statement in this case. The events in the movie and book were markedly different and I just liked the way they played out in the movie a bit better. Plus I felt that the book left out the theme that I felt was most important in the movie - the community of women coming together, united in a common goal, even though they had shunned the Owens women before. This part just isn't in the book at all. The Owenses take care of their problems all by themselves. But the book was good for itself, as long as you don't have the movie to compare it with.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't finish it.
Review: I read one of Hoffman's other books, Illumination Night, and liked it well enough, though it seemed at time as if she were trying to imitate Anne Tyler with soem magical realism thrown in. Practical Magic started with some potential, but after about a third of the way into the book I had to stop reading. Her characers, and the way she staged their interactions, did not ring true and come to life. Rather, the book seemed mired in the emotional and imaginative level of a second-rate TV movie. All of which was especially disappointing, since Hoffman's original setup had some real potential- she just never realized it by pulling out all the stops and letting her tale set its own internal logic. Instead, she settled for cheap melodrama.
Rating: 
Summary: practical magic
Review: Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. Is a book about magic,love and trust. it is one of the best books I have ever read Alice Hoffman is a great writer.
The movie does not do the book justice.
Seeming as it does not cover everything in the book, and makes up a few thing's.
Rating:
Summary: a fun, relaxing read
Review: For centuries the Owens women have been the oddballs. They're the ones people cross the street to avoid...the Owens women are witches. Raised by their two aunts, Sally and Gillian Owens grow up to be polar opposites. Sally is always practical and straight-laced; most concerned with keeping the lives of her two daughters as normal as possible. Gillian, on the other hand, is a free spirit...perhaps a little too free at times. This story follows Sally and Gillian through their trials and tribulations with life, love, and death, and Hoffman's wonderful storytelling makes it, simply, magical! Wonderful twists and turns lurk around every corner of this funny, touching, and at times, dark story...brimming over with themes of compassion, redemption, and inner strength. Playing on every human emotion, Hoffman has struck absolute gold. If you've ever seen the movie,forget it, and pick up this wonderful book!
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: This is the first Alice Hoffman novel I've read and I really loved it. It was at times magical, dark, thought-provoking, and dream-like but most of all, an excellent read. I can't wait to read her other novels!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read!
Review: Hoffman is one of my favorite authors, so I was not going to pass this one up! This story is exciting and emotional, and definitely shows the heart of true family. I would recommend it to anyone!
Rating:
Summary: Book much better than movie
Review: I read the book first, and was disappointed in the movie. The end of the movie underwent a drastic change which turned this magical fantasy work into a so-so comedy. It spoiled the spirit of the book, which was at times disturbing. Sometimes Hoffman "overdoes it" making her women so beautiful people swoon, etc. Still, she has a unique style which blends myth and reality that makes her unlike any other writer. My advice: read the book, skip the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: I read this book way before the movie ever came out and even though I heard great reviews about the movie I was leary about watching it. I was so afraid that it would take away from this fabulous book. Well, I finally watched the movie to discover that it could never take anything away from the book, since they couldn't be more different. It was like the movie producers were borrowing the title and the names of the characters and didn't even bother reading the book any further.
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