SEPTEMBER BOOK CLUB: ALICE HOFFMAN’S ‘THE BOOK OF MAGIC’

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Image source: Simon & Schuster Australia

Our September Book Club pick is Alice Hoffman's The Book of Magic. 

We’re big fans of the film Practical Magic and have previously read the book that accompanies that film. So, naturally we have chosen The Book of Magic as this month’s book club selection, due to the fact Practical Magic 2 is in cinemas now.

The Book of Magic was just that, pure magic. It read like it was perfect for the big screen. I absolutely adored the storyline and how all the characters interacted. The relationships were a big factor within this book and it was something that had me laughing, crying and kicking my feet during moments. 

I really enjoyed the imagery and especially the description of situations, occurrences and scenes. They were quite vivid in the sense that they’re moments you may also experience yourself in everyday life, especially concerning the natural beauty that surrounds you. 

For me, it seems like a more balanced story in the sense that it’s flowing the way the occurrences dictate the story, in comparison to the first book. I also like the character interactions a lot more particularly when it relates to their powers and the fact that we’re now getting a diverse spectrum of talents. Add to that there were certain parts that were so emotive and expressive. 

I have to say, I don’t know whether it’s the writing or my imagination but there was an element of the book being somewhat epic. You get a dose of action in each chapter, moments where it reaches a height, and especially in the last third of the book. The characters are just so intrinsically strong, especially with how they deal with situations and I just love the way the author links everything together the generational curse and how it affects not only the family but those they love. There were some really beautiful lines as well, such as page 331, where they’re talking about the magic created between two people in love. 

There’s definitely an element of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, in the sense that it can kind of fit alongside those stories. That being a quest to challenge something that is directly impacting the characters, that being, an obstacle in the way of love. The plot was just really well achieved in this book, within the first quarter of the book I was thinking, “this is transporting me” again, pure magic. 

I felt like I was travelling right along with the characters, I was also on this quest. Those are the best types of stories. I also did like how the chapters were broken up within each individual chapter. You were initially focusing primarily on one characters point of view, but it would intersect with other people and therefore you’d get insight into their perspective within the scene also. It wasn’t a direct POV style, it was more ‘how they experienced the situation’. 

As soon as I finished the book I was ready to start it again. It was something that absolutely enchanted me, it was genuinely  enthralling. Highlighting The power of love was a big plus for me, the idea was explored on so many levels, my favourite being the dynamic of familial love and the exploration of what you give and receive. This was such an enjoyable read. 

Alice Hoffman’s The Book of Magic is available through Simon & Schuster Australia.