Rating: 
Summary: Great book -- almost a continuation of the movie
Review: I loved "Practical Magic" the movie when it came out. Mostly due to the fact that it took a different twist towards what "witches" are and kind of stuck to the modern definition that they are more peaceful people -- of course, there's a bit of Hollywood thrown in, but it's forgiveable since "Witches of Eastwick" was so much fun as well. The book, however, is much more fun. If you've seen the movie, you should know that it's based on about 3/8 of the book. It is lengthy, but enjoyable as well. If they were to make a movie out of the whole book, it probably would end up a mini-series on TV. Not only to we get to see what happened to Sally and Gillian, but we get a more indepth look and relationship with Sally's daughters as well. We see the torment they went through school in details, we see their problems with men and boys, growing up, falling in love and searching for happiness. It's more realistic than the movie and it's relatable, which always gets me to keep the books I read in the end. The usage of magic is mostly limited to "thought" and small vocal incantations. Remember the woman who wanted the man to leave his wife and become her lover? We get to see what happens to her -- and remember "be careful what you wish for..." Other than that, I will not reveal any spoilers. It's not just about witches -- it's about women. It's a good book and it's fun. Unfortunately, the two aunts are more developed in the movie than the book, but you'll see why Sally, Gillian and the daughters are more focused upon than they are. Highly recommended reading for those who love a really good book.
Rating:
Summary: One of her Best
Review: I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! It is such a wonderful read. I was SO disappionted with the film. It could have been wonderful. The casting was terrific, but it doesn't touch on the magical realism, well, except for the Aunts never aging, and there was no silly exorcism scene in the book. I love how Ms. Hoffman weaves her magiacal realism through her plots. Also, how she developes these amazingly honest and rteal relationships between her characters. I think that is one of her strongest themes, family. Anyway, do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK! It was lovely, charming and yes, MAGICAL!
Rating:
Summary: A literary feast
Review: Alice Hoffman has really worked her magic well in this book. Her book is a stunning work, beautiful and alive. I have seen no author with her talent. She is a master at making the reader feel as if they experience what happens, especially with regard to often undeveloped literary senses of taste and smell. Read this book, it's absolutely magical.
Rating: 
Summary: Well....
Review: ...I enjoyed reading the book, so I guess that's good enough for 2 1/2 stars. I'll round up to be generous. There were a few things that bothered me about this book. It sort of bothered me that all the women in this book were SO beautiful that men lost control of themselves just by looking at them. The main characters were either overly practical domestics (Sally)or irrational out of control wild women (Gillian). The whole book sort of danced around that sort of feminist kind of sexism that states pretty much the same things about women's roles that traditional sexism does, but tries to get away with it by talking about how important those roles are. This book hints that it is of utmost importance for women to be beautiful, but escapes veiwing them as objects by acting like somehow beauty is the *power* that women have. I can't see this as much more comforting then traditional sexism; if you aren't beautiful enough, then tough noodles for you, you're a failure as a woman. At the same time it sort of glorifies women's role as caretaker and domestics, without really giving them much of another option. This is probably a bit overstated, the book sort of borders on these ideas without crossing the line enough to clearly take a position. The men in the book were pretty flat, and mostly just there to give the women something to do (with one exception that I can't talk about without ruining things). I thought it was odd how Antonia seemed like she was going to be important, and then she just kind of faded away from the plot. Some people were bothered by the way the point of view would jump from one character to another, but I thought it was a pretty effective literary device. The plot was kind of wandering and directionless, but the prose was pretty fun to read so that made up for it somewhat, as did the unexpected occurances of magical realism. The ending was a classical example of Deus Ex Machina if I've ever seen one.
Rating: 
Summary: Where's the magic?
Review: Very little actual magic, practical or otherwise is included in this overly sentimental and boring story about sisters who grow up under the stigma of being witches. There's crying aplenty as EVERY single character breaks into tears at the drop of a hat. You read and read waiting for something to HAPPEN, but nothing interesting ever does. This is one case in which the movie was much better than the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Unlike some, I loved the book...hated the movie
Review: I found TURTLE MOON and SECOND NATURE at a used book store and have been an Alice Hoffman fan ever since. PRACTICAL MAGIC is one my favorite Hoffman stories because of the quirky characters and off-beat plot. The movie, however, did the book no justice, except in the casting of Stockard Channing and Dianne Weist as the 'aunts.' They were dead on. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman just didn't do it for me. If you want a good read for the beach or a stormy summer night, this book is for you. Hoffman continues to turn out quality work...she's one of the best. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Nice read, but the movie was more magical
Review: If you liked the movie and then decided to check out the book like me, you were probably, dissapointed. This isn't that good of a book. And it is depressing in some parts, especially the parts about Antonia and Kylie. I did like the parts with the Aunts and I wish they had been in there more. The movie was beautiful and magical, and the book was pretty much ho hum. Don't buy it if you are searching for the prettiness of the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Not particularly impressive!!!
Review: I simply don't know what all the fuss is about. Alice Hoffman's style of writing does not impress me in the least. Where's the dialogue!
Rating:
Summary: Don't Expect the Movie
Review: Let me say first off that I went to see the movie first, and loved it. I read the book expecting the movie, and there's the rub. Quite simply, they are two different works of art, with varying flaws and merits to each. Alice Hoffman's writing is amazingly stylized, swinging between being a fairy tale to an urban drama and back again, with a few shakes of witches and hedge magic thrown in just for fun. Some reviewers complain about the lack of plot or characterization, but this is just not true. Sally and Gillian are both painstakingly realized throughout, their different viewpoints meeting and overlapping as their lives are twisted and casually tossed about. What makes the book is seeing these characters grow and change, evolving into powerful, complete women. The men are somewhat undeveloped, but their role was less as co-stars in this drama then as events, or forces of nature. Which comes down to what I got out of the book, and the movie, which was less about people then it was about love, or desire, take your pick, and the incredible knots we tie ourselves into over it, or the pits we dig when we lose it. Slow and dreamy, this is not a book about solid lines and "This Is What Happened In This Chapter." Read it as you would the Brothers Grimm, and the whole thing will make much more sense. Truly.
Rating:
Summary: Decent, but I've definitely read better novels
Review: Though the time periods and character viewpoints jump around too much, this novel about a NE family of psuedo- witches is full of lush, evocative description. I enjoyed the many descriptions of food, plants and weather, and agree it is similar to Like Water For Chocolate. However, I also agree the plot is somewhat weak, the women too obviously beautiful and somewhat lacking in real personality. This I would blame on the disappointing lack of dialogue in Practical Magic. The men are basically flat. Lust seems to be more important than love--the author seems to want to drive the point home that you cannot escape lust/love no matter how hard you try. I didn't really learn anything from this novel, especially not anything to do with Wicca, witchcraft, or New Age philosophy. Overall it's a pretty good read if you're not too fussy.
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