Magic Lessons: A Prequel to Practical Magic (Practical Magic, #0.5) by Alice Hoffman
Narrator: Sutton Foster
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date October 6, 2020
Goodreads
From New York Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman comes the origin story of her beloved novel and basis for the cult classic film Practical Magic—taking us on a captivating journey to the Salem witch trials, featuring the indomitable matriarch of the Owens family, Maria.
It’s no secret that love has plagued the Owens family for centuries. But when did the curse begin, and why? It all began with Maria Owens, who arrived in America in 1680, with a baby in tow…
Born with pitch-black hair and pale green eyes, Maria was abandoned in the English countryside by her birth mother and raised by Hannah Owens who warned her, “Always love someone who will love you back.” She inherits Hannah’s Grimoire—a magical book of enchantments that include instructions to heal illnesses, ingredients for soaps that restore youth, and spells that make a person burn with love for another. When Hannah dies in an attack, Maria leaves for Curacao, where she meets John Hathorne, a magistrate from Salem living freely for the first time in his life as he falls in love with Maria. But Hathorne soon abandons her, before Maria realizes she’s pregnant. When she gives birth to a red-headed baby girl, Faith, who possesses immense magical talent, Maria embarks on a voyage to Salem to face her destiny, with or without magic.
But aboard the ship bringing her to America, fate intervenes and she meets a man who will change her life, if she’ll only let him. Her journey, laced with secrets and truths, devastation and joy, magic and curses, will show her that love is the only answer, always.
After reading The Rules of Magic, I was curious to learn about Maria Owen’s origin and added Magic Lessons to my virtual shelf. Alas, like the Cranberries’ song, I let it linger.
Why did I let it linger so long? This prequel to the Practical Magic series casts a spell upon the reader. Alice Hoffman seamlessly blends history and magic together until you can’t differentiate between the two. I will say that as much as this is a story of love and finding oneself since part of the novel takes place during the Salem witch trials this can be a dark book. However, the author deftly peppers the story with spells and herbal remedies that add a lightness to the plot.
Throughout the book, I was reminded of The Lion the Witch, and the Wardrobe, not because Hannah, Maria’s teacher, was Aslan but because Magic Lessons should not be read before the rest of the series. Growing up I was enthralled by the magic of the wardrobe however, as an adult I read The Magician’s Nephew. Gaining the knowledge of how the wardrobe came to be ruined a bit of the magic for me. That is not to say that I won’t read either series again it just takes away from the mystery.
As for the audiobook, maybe it is because I’m currently obsessed with the tv show Younger, but I loved Sutton Foster’s narration. Sutton Foster has a soothing tone that fit the dark lyrical nature of the book perfectly.
Overall, Magic Lessons was an indulgent read that will transport you to an era of magic.
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I also listened to this on audiobook last year. I also loved the narration. I found this very well written but much more gritty and disturbing than Practical Magic. Wonderful review!