One of the reasons that I attend several book clubs is for motivation to try new genres and authors. Although I’ve read some books in the past that would be considered paranormal, I don’t know that I would have chosen to read The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman unless it had been a book club pick. It isn’t AT ALL what I expected.
This book is a prequel to Practical Magic, for which there is also a movie that I’ve never seen. Possibly it was the picture on the movie ad that made me expect The Rules of Magic would be light, autumnal entertainment. Not so; in fact, tears came to my eyes countless times in the reading. Yes, the blurb DOES mention “loss,” but I just didn’t anticipate the feelings this book would evoke.
Don’t get me wrong, there are many paranormal elements to the story, especially as the children…Franny, Jet, and Vincent break more and more of their mother’s rules aimed at protecting them from their history and connections to magic. No walks in the moonlight, no black clothing, and no cats, just to name a few! Once their mother and father allow them to visit their aunt, however, things really start to devolve. Over time, they eventually break most of the rules they’ve been taught, including warnings against falling in love.
Before I get to those “basic human truths,” or BHTs (not to be confused with that suspect additive, BHT :) I want to mention that Ms. Hoffman’s use of setting…both place and time is excellent. The Northeastern U.S. with its change of seasons affords wonderful atmosphere, and I felt a comfortable familiarity with the times in which the children grow up and try their hands at being adults, the 1960’s and 1970’s. Now, for those nuggets of humanity that even the witches and wizards in this book experience:
“…forgetting her loss would be worse than the loss itself.” (p. 231)
“…when you truly love someone and they love you in return, you ruin your lives together.” (p. 254)
“I just do the best I can to face what life brings. That’s the secret, you know. That’s the way you change your fate.” (p. 258)
“Life is a mystery, and it should be so, for the sorrow that accompanies being human and the choices one will have to make are a burden, too heavy for most to know before their time comes.” (p. 266)
“It is simply the way of the world to lose everything you have ever loved. In this, we are like everyone else.” (p. 297)
“Well, we can’t really know our parents, can we?…Even for those with the sight, parents are unfathomable creatures.” (p. 331)
“But rules were never the point. It was finding out who you were.” (p. 365)
“Know that the only remedy for love is to love more.” (p. 366)
***
The book closes with unexpected developments and a new set of rules, one of which I know from my own life: “Always leave out seed for the birds when the first snow falls.” I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading others by Alice Hoffman!
Hoffman, Alice. The Rules of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series Book 1). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.
To end this post, I’m including a link to a lovely song, “A Case of You,” by Joni Mitchell taken from the soundtrack of the movie, “Practical Magic,” which I plan to watch, someday very soon.
If you’ve read this book or others by the author, please share some of your thoughts in the comments!
Wow! Great post. I did see the movie, Practical Magic, now I might have to read this book.
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Thanks so much! If you read the book, let me know what you think; I sure enjoyed it.
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A lovely article about the book – this one slid past me and your lovely post has reminded me about this series of books which I really want to read. Thank you!
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You’re so welcome; I hope that you enjoy the book as I did!
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Thank you, Becky – I’ll start tracking it down…
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I really want to read this book now. I also enjoyed the Joanie Mitchell video. I had never heard that song before. Thanks for sharing.
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You’re welcome; I hope that you like the book! I hadn’t heard that song before, either, and really liked it, too.
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Just put is on reserve at the local library.
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Great quotes! I’ve been admiring this book at the local library — and it’s bright color will be just the thing in dreary gray end-of-October.
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Thanks! It’s a very thought-provoking book, beyond all of the magical aspects.
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Thanks, great post! I too, read the “Rules of Magic” without fully understanding what I was about to read. I loved it. I also love all your quotes. Especially, “Know that the only remedy for love is to love more.” and the one about leaving seeds out for the birds with the first snowfall.
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Thanks so much, Dayne. Glad to hear from others who liked the book! We had an interesting discussion at book club, last evening, and most of the members seemed to enjoy it.
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Hoffman is such a word artist!
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Yes, she is!
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I haven’t read this one, but Alice Hoffman is a great writer. Thanks for your review!
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Yes, I really like her style. Thanks for reading, Linda!
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I loved this book, its fantastic. I love her style and have read most of her books. Fantastic post! 💗
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Thanks, Lisa! Good to see that you’ve liked others by this author. My book club will also be reading “Faithful” this coming year, which sounds good, as well. As you said, Hoffman’s style is great!
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Thanks for the like on my blog today. I appreciate my readers.
Wow, three book clubs? You must read fast.
Such an interesting review and selected quotes, thanks for writing tjis.
I am considering adding this book to my reading list on Goodreads. Do you have a profile on it? You can share book reviews, quotes and ratings too.
Hope to touch back again,
Deborah
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Glad that you liked the post! Yes, I’m also on Goodreads, but just started using it more, recently.
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Look me up and send me an invite.
Cheers,
Deborah
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I did!
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Thanks. Will get to it later today.☺️
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Sounds like a good read.
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