The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

I’ve seen Practical Magic, the 1998 movie staring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, several times and remember enjoying it, although I was probably a bit on the young side to really understand everything. What I didn’t know is that movie is based on a book of the same name by Alice Hoffman. The Rules of Magic is a prequel, written twenty-two years later. This book deals with a car accident, deaths of teenagers and parents, incest (between very distant cousins), a short lived adult-minor relationship, suicidal thoughts, fire, homophobia, forced institutionalization, war, hate crimes, war injury, and conscription. A lot going on here.

This story follows the path of three Owens siblings: Franny, Jet, and Vincent, who find out around the time that Franny turns seventeen that they are witches. Or a wizard, as Vincent likes to call himself. The story follows them throughout their lives, from their teenage years to when they would be grandparents. We watch them as they explore first loves, losses, bigotry and hatred directed at them, and all of the choices that come with growing older. Throughout the whole story is the tale of their ancestor, Maria Owens, because of whom all of her descendants are cursed with not being allowed to fall in love.

When I started this story, I liked it right away and thought it would be quick and easy to get through. I was wrong. It wasn’t a bad story, but I felt like it plodded a bit in the middle. I found the characters loveable but only sometimes and likeable even less often than that. I didn’t really dislike them, I just felt no connection to them. I got very frustrated that they are constantly talking about a curse that none of them have any intention of abiding by, and that seems to be fooled by a simple name change.

I’m giving The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman 3 out of 5 stars. If you read Practical Magic and enjoyed it, I imagine you would like this one as well. I just don’t think it’s really my style.

If you are interested in Alice Hoffman, check out her website at https://alicehoffman.com/

Pairs well with a hand-knit scarf and a tomato sandwich, Franny eats hers plain.