In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in books about witches, particularly those set in America. These books delve into the world of magic, spells, and rituals, and transport readers to a realm where witches exist in secret alongside everyday people. One prominent example of a book about witches in America is "Practical Magic" by Alice Hoffman. Set in a small New England town, the story follows the lives of the Owens sisters, Gillian and Sally, who come from a long line of witches. As they navigate love, loss, and family drama, their magical abilities both help and hinder them. The book explores themes of love, forgiveness, and the power of sisterhood.
The book explores themes of love, forgiveness, and the power of sisterhood. Another popular book in this genre is "The Witch of Willow Hall" by Hester Fox. Set in 1821 Massachusetts, the story revolves around the Montrose family, who flee Boston after a scandal and settle in the countryside.
‘Magic’ (1978) a mesmerizing psychological thriller (review)
1978 psychological horror flick “Magic” stars Anthony Hopkins, Burgess Meredith, and Ann-Margret. The Richard Attenborough-directed horror film received a 1979 Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay from the Mystery Writers of America, and earned Hopkins BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for his lead role. With its superb screenplay, excellent cast, and fantastic mystery elements, 1978’s “Magic” remains an oft-overlooked horror romp.
Charles “Corky” Withers (Hopkins) is a failing professional magician. Mentor “Merlin” (E.J. Andre) advises Corky to assume a gimmick catering to show business. Flash forward a year, and Corky resurges as one of the most popular magic exhibitions. It’s his combined ventriloquist and magician act, centering on the crude-talking dummy Fats, which fostered such success.
Seasoned agent Ben Greene (Meredith) is prepared to set Corky up with his own television show. However, Corky refuses to sign the contract, and instead travels to the Catskills. Initially, it appears that Corky remains frightened of success. But after reuniting with his former high school crush Peggy Ann Snow (Margret-Ann), Corky begins to work his magic. Although Snow is married to estranged husband Duke (Ed Lauter), Corky woos her with a few card tricks.
“Magic” shines as a technical masterpiece. Hopking plays both Corky and Fats, and while his Corky is a bit stiff, Fats bubbles with personality. Additionally, Corky’s originally one-sided character radically changes as the story progresses. Over the course of the film, it’s clear that Corky is deranged.
Ann-Margret lends an inspired performance as Peggy Ann Snow. Margret plays a realistically indecisive and honest character. Her constant questioning of whether or not to leave Duke and pursue a relationship with Corky feels stikingly genuine. Peggy comes delightfully to life under Ann-Margret who plays her character with an air of charm and innocence. Similarly, Burgess Meredith is terrific as the believably energetic Ben Greene.
Renowned composer Jerry Goldsmith provides a score rippling with somber strings, and eerie, warbling, carnival numbers. Goldsmith’s soundtrack is decidedly understated. Nevertheless, it works brilliantly in conjunction with the cinematography, screenplay, and powerful acting performances for a technical tour de force.
What truly sets “Magic” apart is its sleight of hand. Repeatedly, “Magic” presents a slow boil which proceeds to defy expectations. Additionally, throughout “Magic” the viewer isn’t quite sure if there’s a supernatural element or merely madness. Its finale particularly reminds me of another 1978 horror filck, “The Legacy” starring Katherine Ross and Sam Elliott. Not because the endings are topically similar. Rather, it’s the shocking, unpredictible final scenes which parallel one another. Yet “Magic” concludes on a much bleaker note than “The Legacy.” “Magic” doesn’t pull its final trick until the third act, and there’s a massive payoff. The last shot is remarkably, and refreshingly, dark.
But “Magic,” for all its charm, does occasionally lose its charisma. As a horror film, it’s not particularly effective. That is, “Magic” lacks an atmosphere of fright. Rather, the film creates an air of mystery through its clever masquerade; the relationship between Fats and Corky doesn’t become apparent until the conclusion. Especially early on, Hopkins is a bit wooden. While it’s mostly cohesive, a few flashbacks are poorly placed, unnecessary, and create a disjointed flow.
Still, “Magic” manages to pull one over on the audience. I enjoyed the character progression, particularly from Hopkins’ Corky, and the endearing Peggy. With strong acting performances, taut writing, and a lovely twist of an ending, “Magic” is a truly underrated psychological horror flick.
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As the family settles into their new home, strange occurrences begin to happen, leading the eldest daughter, Lydia, to discover her own latent magical powers. The book combines elements of romance, mystery, and witchcraft to create a captivating and atmospheric read. Other notable books about witches in America include "The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane" by Katherine Howe and "The Witch of Painted Sorrows" by M.J. Rose. These books explore the history of witchcraft in America, weaving together past and present in intriguing and spellbinding ways. Overall, books about witches in America offer a captivating blend of magic, history, and human emotion. They allow readers to escape into a world where anything is possible and to explore the depths of their own imagination. Whether through tales of sisterhood, love, or historical intrigue, these books offer a unique and enchanting reading experience..
Reviews for "Exploring Wicca: The Modern Witchcraft Movement in America"
1. Emma - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Book about witches in America. I found the plot to be lacking in originality and the characters to be one-dimensional. The author seemed to rely too heavily on clichés and stereotypes about witches, and I was hoping for a more nuanced and complex portrayal. Additionally, the writing style felt clunky and awkward, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and uninterested in continuing with the rest of the series.
2. James - 1 star - I couldn't finish the Book about witches in America. The writing was incredibly tedious and the pacing was sluggish. The author seemed more focused on describing the minutiae of the characters' daily routines than actually progressing the plot. Furthermore, I found the characters to be completely unrelatable and unlikable, which made it difficult for me to care about their experiences. In my opinion, this book missed the mark completely and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and captivating read.
3. Sarah - 3 stars - While I didn't hate the Book about witches in America, I can't say that I particularly enjoyed it either. The story had potential, but it felt like it was trying to do too much at once and ended up falling flat. The world-building was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me with more questions than answers. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it hard to fully invest in the characters and their relationships. Overall, I found this book to be lacking in execution and would only recommend it to diehard fans of the witch genre who are willing to overlook its flaws.