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Practical Magic

By: Alice Hoffman
Narrated by: Cherry Jones
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Publisher's summary

The best-selling author of Second Nature, Illumination Night and Turtle Moon now offers her most fascinating and tantalizingly accomplished novel yet -- a winning tale that amply confirms Alice Hoffman's reputation not only as a genius of the vivid scene and unforgettable character but as one of America's most captivating storytellers.

When the beautiful and precocious sisters Sally and Gillian Owens are orphaned at a young age, they are taken to a small Massachusetts town to be raised by their eccentric aunts, who happen to dwell in the darkest, eeriest house in town. As they become more aware of their aunts' mysterious and sometimes frightening powers -- and as their own powers begin to surface -- the sisters grow determined to escape their strange upbringing by blending into "normal" society.

But both find that they cannot elude their magic-filled past. And when trouble strikes -- in the form of a menacing backyard ghost -- the sisters must not only reunite three generations of Owens women but embrace their magic as a gift -- and their key to a future of love and passion. Funny, haunting, and shamelessly romantic, Practical Magic is bewitching entertainment -- Alice Hoffman at her spectacular best.

©2003 Alice Hoffman (P)2004 Simon & Schuster
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Critic reviews

"Huffman's best since Illumination Night."( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Practical Magic

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

as always..LOVED IT

This book..The Movie..The whole story.Oh My..SO AWESOME. Maria Owens Family..A MUST FOR ALL SHELVES...Read the series.YOU MUST.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

~Practically Perfect~

A truly enchanting tale of love! Great even if you've never seen the movie... which you should run out and watch RIGHT NOW!!! ❤️🌩❤️

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great!

I liked this book. Books are never like the movie. This story had the third generation of the Owen sisters featured more. It was nice. I enjoyed the narrator as well.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Better than the movie!

What did you love best about Practical Magic?

The narration had a really musical quality - an unusual rhythm that really seemed to go with the story...or did the rhythm come from the story?

What did you like best about this story?

Its much more realistic, and actually more believably magical than the movie. In fact, I can't understand why the movie made such HUGE departures from this lovely story.

Which character – as performed by Cherry Jones – was your favorite?

My favorite character performed by Cherry Jones was Jillian.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - it was a nice treat for myself on my commute. I enjoyed savoring it, and have listened to it twice more.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

loved this book! practical magic

the narrator was easy to understand and had a great flow throughout this performance. the book was short and Sweet ♡ I love the book and the movie, even with the variations from one to another. I would recommend this book to all my friends.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

my Favorite book for Halloween

my most favorite book for Halloween. I listen or read it yearly. Alice Hoffman writes in such a magical way.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Summer Reading

Always a go to read, Love Alice Hoffman books! I have read the entire series.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Too Short

This is a mighty story, whicj appears to have been edited to with an inch of it's life. I'm guessing this is because Simon and Schuster wants me to buy the book a second time.

Ms. Hoffman has turned into favorite author with her strong and rich characters. While I'm rathrr late to the party, it does allow me to enjoy the backlog.

Ms. Jones superb performance and (finally!) ability to throght subtle sccents rather than silly voices is a treat heyond measure. She has a beautiful voice snd uses it well. That comes from a former V/O radio newsperson

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really Prefer the Unabridged

What made the experience of listening to Practical Magic the most enjoyable?

Cherry Jones. (the narrator)

What was one of the most memorable moments of Practical Magic?

I love this entire book (I just can not read while I drive).

What about Cherry Jones’s performance did you like?

Her voice and expression.

If you could rename Practical Magic, what would you call it?

Practical Magic

Any additional comments?

I was so excited, because I love this book. However, I then realized that this was an abridged version -- a great dissapointment.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So disappointed this was abridged!

I didn’t realize this was an abridged version when I ordered and listened to it. At the end, the truth is revealed. I did notice at some point it was shorter than most, but I hadn’t read the original in print. I hope to return it and order the one narrated by Christina Moore so I can hear the whole story. (Cherry Jones did a great job on this one, New York accent and all.) I love Alice Hoffman and plan to finish the series with “The Book of Magic” soon, but not until I hear “Practical Magic” in its entirety.

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