I know spooky season is over now, but who couldn’t use a little magic right now?
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman is the story of the mischievous Owens women. A little spooky, a little seductive, and super powerful, the women are feared in their small New England town. And any man who falls in love with an Owens woman is doomed.
For Sally and Gillian Owens, this is rough. Rejected by their peers and taunted with cries of “Witch!” their childhood is hard – but the sisters have a strong bond.
So when Gillian finds herself in quite the pickle, she turns to her sister for help – and all hell breaks loose.
You’ve probably seen the film Practical Magic (I LOVE it – fantastic soundtrack!) and this is one of the pleasing occasions where the book and film complement each other beautifully. In my opinion the novel is a lot quirkier and funnier, which adds a really fun element to this sweet, romantic story.
The other important thing about Practical Magic is of course the amazing Alice Hoffman – she is such a gorgeous writer. Her novel, Local Girls, was the best thing I read in 2024, a dreamy, nostalgic tale of adolescence in a small town.
Hoffman boldly integrates magic into her stories – time travel, resurrection, spell casting, everything is possible and even plausible in her world.
I highly recommended the delicious Practical Magic (book and film!) and anything Hoffman you can get your hands on. The best part is Practical Magic is part of a series, so you get to meet the Owens family ancestors.
And did you know they’re making a sequel to the film? I can’t wait.
Cherie lives, works, and reads in beautiful Tasmania – the green island gem below Australia known for its gorgeous landscape and beautiful wildlife. She holds multiple academic qualifications in English, journalism, and fine art theory, and has worked in writing, editing, and communications roles for more than a decade. Most importantly, she has a deep love for books that began as soon as she learned how to read.
Old, new, any genre – for Cherie, reading is about as vital as breathing. She is interested in sharing books that move, excite, and compel, so others can share the joy of a truly great read. While she reads across most genres, her favourite is literary fiction. Particularly anything by Margaret Atwood, Ottessa Moshfegh, Kate Atkinson, Elizabeth Berg, Ann Patchett, and Anne Tyler.
Cherie frequents Tasmania’s beautiful boutique book shops as well as scouring secondhand shops for books to add to her extensive home library. Catch up with her on LinkedIn and on Instagram.
