Practical Magic: Is It Worth the Hype?
Few books carry as much cultural weight in the witchy-feminist canon as Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic. For decades, readers have fallen under its spell—and the film adaptation only added to the hype. But coming to it after reading The Rules of Magic, I had a different experience. The prose is as lyrical as ever, and the characters feel vivid and real, but my feelings about the story are… complicated. Before I dive into what worked (and what didn’t), let’s talk about my journey with the Owens family saga so far.
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Quick Look
- contemporary setting
- sister story
- first in series (publication order)
- fiercely feminist
- witchiness scale: 3/5
Published June 13, 1995
Publisher's Synopsis
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic...
My Review
As much as I enjoyed this book, I just don’t get all the hype. For me, The Rules of Magic was a much stronger novel than Practical Magic. Don’t get me wrong—the storytelling in both is beautiful, filled with Hoffman’s lyrical prose and fully fleshed-out characters. But in my opinion, The Rules of Magic simply had more depth and substance.
What I did love about Practical Magic was its portrayal of sisters. Hoffman absolutely nails the complexity of sisterhood—whether it’s Kylie and Antonia or Sally and Gillian. Their relationships simmer with all the messy, real emotions that come with being family: jealousy, envy, spite, anger, contempt, frustration, fear, and of course, love. That authenticity really stood out to me.
Where the book faltered, though, was in its romantic relationships. For me, the heart of the story lies in the familial bonds, and while that’s a compelling angle, I just wish it leaned more into the witchy elements. All in all, I liked it—but didn’t love it. And now, I guess it’s time I finally watch the film to see if it casts a stronger spell on me.
My Rating
In the end, Practical Magic didn’t quite live up to the hype for me—especially when compared to the richness of The Rules of Magic or Magic Lessons. Still, Hoffman’s gift for capturing the messy beauty of family, particularly the bonds between sisters, makes this book worth reading. If you’re drawn to lyrical prose and authentic portrayals of complicated relationships, you’ll find plenty to love here. And while it wasn’t as witchy as I hoped, it’s an essential piece of the Owens family saga—one you’ll want to experience if you plan to read the series in full. After all, every spell has to start somewhere.
read the rest of my Practical Magic series reviews ↓
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