Practical Magic

“Practical Magic” by Alice Hoffman left me feeling underwhelmed. While Hoffman's writing shows potential, with a few memorable quotes and reflections that stand out, the story itself felt lazy, and the characters failed to engage. While the portrayal of motherhood was handled reasonably well, the depiction of sisterhood was disappointing. The sisters shared no genuine connection until a traumatic event, making that part of the plot feel forced and underdeveloped. The portrayal of women was particularly disappointing, as they seemed defined by their beauty or their relationships with men, which felt outdated and reductive. The murder plot, which had the potential for real intrigue, ultimately fell flat. Instead, we spent full chapters on side characters who added little to the narrative, detracting from the main storyline (which I'm still trying to figure out if there was one). Overall, this book was a letdown despite its moments of promise. I've heard the movie is better and am excited to watch it!