Magic Lessons: Book #1 of the Practical Magic Series (1)
Description
In this " bewitching" (The New York Times Book Review) novel that traces a centuries-old curse to its source, beloved author Alice Hoffman unveils the story of Maria Owens, accused of witchcraft in Salem, and matriarch of a line of the amazing Owens women and men featured in Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic.Where does the story of the Owens bloodline begin? With Maria Owens, in the 1600s, when she's abandoned in a snowy field in rural England as a baby. Under the care of Hannah Owens, Maria learns about the "Nameless Arts." Hannah recognizes that Maria has a gift and she teaches the girl all she knows. It is here that she learns her first important lesson: Always love someone who will love you back. When Maria is abandoned by the man who has declared his love for her, she follows him to Salem, Massachusetts. Here she invokes the curse that will haunt her family. And it's here that she learns the rules of magic and the lesson that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. Love is the only thing that matters. Magic Lessons is a "heartbreaking and heart-healing" (BookPage) celebration of life and love and a showcase of Alice Hoffman's masterful storytelling.
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Community Reviews
It took me some time to get through the first 3 chapters. I was afraid at first it was not a book for me, but then I fell in love with the book. It may have been the development of character backstory that may have been too much for me at first but then the book bloomed and I was enthralled with all of the characters. There were times I didn’t want to put the book down but at others had to because my heart was overwhelmed.
Not sure what to make of this, while I liked the free-writing style I found the book very sluggish to get through. A lot of it just seemed cliche, even though the writing gave it life. Some of the descriptions of the scenes are unique, and I find the characters to be realistic. It was just a slug and it took me so long, I was determined to read it through and absorb every detail.
It definitely deserves its 3 stars.
It definitely deserves its 3 stars.
There were some beautiful lines in here. Charming and more meandering than the movie. I was quite pleased.
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