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The Book of Magic

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The Book of Magic

By: Alice Hoffman
Narrated by: Jennifer Ehle
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About this listen

 ‘Full of Hoffman’s bewitching and lucid prose and vivid characters, The Book of Magic is ultimately about the very human magic of family and love and actions that echo through generations… it casts a spell’ —Matt Haig

THE STUNNING, UNFORGETTABLE CONCLUSION TO THE BELOVED PRACTICAL MAGIC SERIES

For centuries, the Owens family has been cursed in matters of love. When beloved aunt Jet Owens hears the sound of the deathwatch beetle, she knows that it is a signal. She has finally discovered the secret to breaking the curse, but time is running out. She has only seven days to live.

Unaware of the family’s witchcraft lineage and all it entails, one of the young sisters of the new Owens generation has fallen in love. As the curse strikes once again, her love’s fate hangs in the balance, spurring three generations of Owens to venture back to where it all began and use their gifts to break the spell that has marked all their lives.

But doing so threatens to destroy everything the family has fought so hard to protect. How much will they give up for the greatest gift of all?

'This page-turning Atlantic-crossing caper is, above all, a paean to family love... These fast fairytales for grown-ups are full of enchanting comfort – more escapist than curse' —Sunday Times

'A satisfying tale springs from a slow beginning, packing in escapist fable, real-world savvy and incidents galore' —Mail on Sunday

'Delightfully witchy... Alluring on its own, it's also a satisfying end to a timeless saga' —New York Times Book Review

PRAISE for ALICE HOFFMAN

‘Beautiful, harrowing, a major contribution to twenty-first century literature’
Toni Morrison

‘I am still reeling from The Dovekeepers – from the history Alice Hoffman illuminates, from the language she uses to bring these women to life. This novel is a testament to the human spirit and to love rising from the ashes of war. But most of all, this novel is one that will never be forgotten by a reader.’
Jodi Picoult

‘In her remarkable new novel, Alice Hoffman holds a mirror to our ancient past as she explores the contemporary themes of sexual desire, women’s solidarity in the face of strife, and the magic that’s quietly present in our day-to-day living. Put The Dovekeepers at the pinnacle of Hoffman’s extraordinary body of work. I was blown away.’
Wally Lamb

‘Alice Hoffman takes seemingly ordinary lives and lets us see and feel extraordinary things.’
Amy Tan

‘Miss Hoffman heals wounds with the gentle touch of an angel’
Joseph Heller

'Oh, what a book this is! Hoffman’s exploration of the world of good and evil, and the constant contest between them, is unflinching; and the humanity she brings to us – it is a glorious experience.'
Elizabeth Strout
 Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Magic Magical Realism Paranormal Paranormal Romance Renaissance Romance Heartfelt Witchcraft

Critic reviews

Praise for the Practical Magic series

‘Her books are a real pleasure – practical magic’ Kate Atkinson

‘[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible’ Cosmopolitan

‘Dripping with pathos and otherworldly possibility’ Vogue

‘Dark comedy and a light touch carry the story along to a truly Gothic climax, complete with heaving skies and witchery on the lawn’ New York Times

‘A master of magical realism, draws us back into the spellbinding universe of the Owens family with gorgeous prose set against a backdrop of vivid imagery’ Marie Claire

‘A delightful confection – witty, imaginative, unexpectedly touching’ The Times

‘Reading an Alice Hoffman book is like falling into a deep dream where senses are heightened and love reigns supreme… I never wanted to awaken’ Jodi Picoult

‘Hoffman’s classy prose imbues this modern fairy tale with bite as well as beauty’ Mail on Sunday

‘Storytelling is in Hoffman’s bones’ New York Times Book Review

‘Vivid and enchanting… another sublime entry in an arresting series’ Esquire

‘I got so swept up in this enchanting story’ Reese Witherspoon

‘A vivid and evocative tale – prepare to be spellbound’ Woman

‘Full of Hoffman’s bewitching and lucid prose and vivid characters, The Book of Magic is ultimately about the very human magic of family and love and actions that echo through generations… it casts a spell’ Matt Haig
All stars
Most relevant
Beautifully written, the writer leads you through the life’s of the characters. I have listened to the whole series and very much look forward to the next

Loved it so much I listened twice

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Loved every magical word of the book.
To see what became of Sally Gillian and the aunts a sad but happy ending.

Practical Magic again

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It’s very rare I’ve ever rated anything 5 stars before, it’s also very rare that a book makes me cry. This managed both.

I wasn’t a fan of the original Practical Magic (I loved the film though) but I loved the two prequel books. Read those before you read this.

This book wrapped up the stories of the characters we loved, and I can’t think of a more perfect way to do it. Everyone got the ending they deserved, although some made me cry. This will be a favourite that I re-read many times, I’m sure

Beautiful - 5 stars!

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I love Alice Hoffman so maybe a bit based but thought this brought the 'magic' series to completion perfectly and practically. Narration was pleasant and as an English person decent attempt at our accent.

Magical Hoffman

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I hate to leave these women behind. The Owen’s family story has been a delight with so much wisdom and insight into the ways of the witch. Thank you, Alice. 🙏

So much wisdom

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