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.
Rating: 
Summary: See the movie
Review: It's a very rare day when I suggest seeing the movie...I read the book first and was only mildly impressed. The story is interesting, but not well written. The movie does a much more compelling job of telling the story and requires a more appropriate level of intellectual commitment.
Rating:
Summary: I just finished the book........
Review: and after mulling it over I think that the book was OK, but not great. I admit I did see the movie several times before I bought the book, and they are VERY different from one another. The movie was much more dramatic, whereas the book(for me) moved very slowly. the aunts were not very promiant. There was barely any magic in the book and it didn't seem like much of a love story, Gary only shows up near the end. I didn't care about the characters, unlike the movie where it made me ache to have a sister! So, I went and bought the movie! I'm quite happy now.
Rating: 
Summary: I DID NOT LIKE THE BOOK, COULD NOT FINISH IT
Review: I have seen the movie and love it. I also have the soundtrack to the movie and love that. I got about half way thru the book and just stopped. I did not like the authors writing style, from a third person point of view. I could not get inside the characters because the book was not told from one of their view- points. Also, it did not flow smoothly for me. The story jumped around and did not unfold evenly. I was very disappointed. This is one case where the movie was much better than the book.
Rating:
Summary: Magical, Mystical and Wonderful
Review: This is one of my all time favorite books. I read it before it was made into a movie, and few books have touched me heart, soul and mind so completely. Hoffman has a great gift for weaving magic into her storytelling, quite literally. If you like kindness, empathy, and humanity in your supernatural tales, this is the book for you. The realism and everyday sincerity of this book is well represented by the term "Practical Magic". If your child loves Harry Potter and you've developed a taste for witchcraft and magic, you MUST read this book. You'll fall in love.
Rating:
Summary: There's a little witch in all of us!!
Review: Growing up is difficult for everyone- even when you're normal but for Gillian and Sally life is almost impossible for they have a gift, a gift of MAGIC. This book follows the girls as they grow up with their strange aunts, in a own that just can't accept them. Sally is the quiet, down to earth type that cares more for others and is always willing to lend a helping hand where as Gillian is the opposite she is a wild child that has only one thing on her mind - MEN. When Sally is called unexpectantly one evening her life is changed forever. This book has to be give 5 stars because where would you find such realism in one place. Alice Hoffman is a true writer that has the power to pull you into a story and make you want to read it over and over again!!!! Pick this book and you will never put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Magic
Review: As a faithful reader of Alice Hoffman for years, this is her most fantastic book ever. I've read all her books, and are currently half-way through her newest release "River King", I must say that it seems hard to outstand "Practical Magic". The film was entertaining, but the script was changed in too many ways, I guess we all make up the settings in books differently. For new Alice Hoffman readers, I would recommend to start with "Practical Magic" and then read her earlier and later books. She has something in her books that really appeal to me, making the magic seem so ordinary, and the ordinary seem so magic. Alice Hoffman really knows how to drag you into her world and make you stay - the books are just too exiting to put away. Try them - enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: The movie was better
Review: I admit that I saw the movie before I read the book and to be honest was a little disappointed in the book. I felt that it just lacked the drama to keep the reader interested. I kind of felt that the Aunts were just a side part of the book and they should not have been. I also felt that it wasn't clearly portrayed that both Sally and Gillian were "witches" and why Sally was so determined to not bring her girls up that way. I also felt the appearance of Gary didn't make any sense since he was only in the last three chapters and his character was never developed beyond a side character to whom Sally falls in love with. We don't know why she falls in love she just does. To her credit Ms. Hoffman is a remarkable writer and I would purchase books by her again.
Rating:
Summary: Alice Hoffman is pure magic
Review: I have read Practical Magic a few times now, and each time I become more enchanted by the story. Alice Hoffman has a magical way of telling a story and I eagerly await her next book. I hope that she includes Perth, Australia in her itinerary if she goes on tour to promote any of her books because I would love to hear her speak.
|
