Magic Lessons is a captivating novel written by Alice Hoffman. It serves as a prequel to her popular book, Practical Magic. Set in the 17th century, the story follows the life of Maria Owens, a young woman with a remarkable gift for magic. Maria grows up in a small village in England, where she is shunned and feared because of her abilities. Despite the challenges, she embraces her powers and seeks to master them. She learns about herbs, potions, and spells from her mentor, Hannah Owens.
She learns about herbs, potions, and spells from her mentor, Hannah Owens. Under Hannah's guidance, Maria discovers the important rules of magic and the consequences that come with it. As Maria's powers grow, she faces numerous trials and tribulations.
Alice Hoffman spells out how she conjured up origin story Magic Lessons
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Published on September 17, 2020 Photo: Alyssa Peek; Simon & SchusterAlice Hoffman has written more than two dozen books, but her tales about the sorcery of the Owens sisters and their ilk (1995’s Practical Magic and 2017’s The Rules of Magic) remain her most enduring.
2020 marks the 25th anniversary of Practical Magic, which was also turned into a 1998 feature film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. But Hoffman has spent the past quarter of a century living with the Owens in her head, and at last, she's giving readers the origin story they've craved.
Magic Lessons, out Oct. 6, goes back to the 1600s and traces the family’s mystical history to founding matriarch Maria. It follows her journey from England to the Caribbean to Salem, Mass. and beyond. Unlocking the tragedies and triumphs of magic, it uncovers the genesis of the family's infamous centuries-spanning curse, which dooms any man who loves an Owens.
In advance of the book's appropriately autumnal release, we called up Hoffman to talk her lifelong obsession with witches, how she invented the Owens family, and why she'll never tire of telling stories about powerful women.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Did you always know you wanted to tell Maria's story or was it something you came to gradually over the last 25 years?
ALICE HOFFMAN: I definitely did not think it was gonna be more than one book. If I had, I would have planned it out at the time. It was very difficult to do because I wrote Practical Magic 25 years ago. It was because my readers kept saying they wanted to go back to that family. I did too, but I just had never really thought of doing it. But I'm so glad I did. It felt like a homecoming.
Where did Maria and the Owens family come from?
[I recently found] a drawing that I did, when I was in first grade, of a witch! This is what I've been interested in since first grade. There's a reason why little girls especially are interested in witches, and it’s that witches are the only female mythic figure that have power. It's really about the power of women in a man's world.
How did writing Maria’s story compare to writing the first two books of the series?
In some ways, it was harder because there was a lot more research. I did a lot of research about Salem. I did a lot of research about pirates, which figure into it. I did a lot of research about what was happening in England at the time. But Maria just walked in the door. Sometimes that happens; a character will appear and walk through the door and just be whole. That's what happened to me with Maria, probably because she's been in my life for the past 25 years.
Lovers of Practical Magic will certainly come in with assumptions about her. Did you want to upend or subvert those?
Yes, in some ways. She revealed herself to me. I think some of the story will be a big surprise, especially who she's involved with. She's always been involved with a member of the Hathorne family. John Hathorne, who was one of the judges at the witch trials. But there's also someone else that she winds up being involved with that was a complete surprise to me so I think it will be to my readers also.
You don’t live too far from Salem. Were you able to visit for research?
I did go up there, but everything looks so different. It’s really the Massachusetts of my imagination [in the book]. It is kind of a commercial place, but there's still a spirit there. Salem now is far from Salem then. But you can feel the excitement of the people who come there. It's kind of sweet revenge.
The book is so steeped in the historical record of witchcraft and persecution. What inspired that?
Part of it was that the period necessitated it, but part of it was my interest in this early persecution of women, which was very much directed towards women who were health practitioners. Women who were not physicians, but [practitioners of] folk medicine. Women who were literate. The connection between magic and words and writing is really interesting to me. Also, I was fascinated by the Spanish Inquisition. Some of the characters are shaped by that. The persecution of people who are different, whether it's women as witches, whether it's Jews, whoever it is, it always comes from the same place of being against anyone who's different. Fear of the other.
This book has hallmarks of magic we've seen in the other books in the series, as well as new herbal curatives and magical practices. How much of those things are your own invention and how much are you drawing on folklore?
It's both. I draw a lot on real practices of healing of the time, herbal remedies, folk remedies. But some of them are invented. I have a huge magic library in my bedroom and some of the books are so strange and difficult to find. Magic Lessons has to do with she's learning all about this, and we kind of want to learn magic with her.
All the Owens women are reacting to a world afraid of powerful women. Were current events potent in your mind?
Yes, very much so. I wanted to tell her story because it's really important for us to support women. The whole idea of Puritanism, and the intolerance of the Puritans, which really added to the witch mania, was in my mind in terms of what's happening today. I'm coming to it from a sense of sisterhood. And writing about a place where if you strayed from the values, it was a sign of revolt and perversity. In our time, when you would think that was over and done with, it’s [still] so scarily with us. The last line of the book is about how love is the most important thing and the only thing that matters. This book is really about trying to have faith in the future, even in a very dark time when evil is everywhere. And that’s true right now. In this book, evil really exists. People do terrible things. And you still have to find a way to have faith in the world.
You’re writing a fourth and final book in the Practical Magic series. Can you tease it for us?
It begins in a library, and I always feel the best stories begin in a library. It’s about the whole Owens family, but it’s very much about [Practical Magic heroine] Sally’s daughters, who are now grown-ups. The beginning was calling down this curse as a way of protecting themselves, and the last book is all about breaking that curse.
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How did writing Maria’s story compare to writing the first two books of the series?
She falls in love with a man who cannot accept her abilities, and she must make difficult choices that will impact her life and the lives of those around her. Through her journey, Maria learns about love, sacrifice, and the true nature of magic. One of the key themes explored in Magic Lessons is the power of female friendship and sisterhood. Maria forms a deep bond with other women who share her magical abilities, and they support and empower each other throughout their lives. The novel also delves into the history and lineage of the Owens family, revealing the deep connection they have with magic and the price they must pay for using it. Alice Hoffman's writing style is enchanting and lyrical, painting a vivid picture of the world in which Maria lives. Her use of magical elements and the exploration of complex emotions make the story truly captivating. The book is filled with rich historical details, transporting the reader to a time when magic was both feared and revered. In conclusion, Magic Lessons is a beautifully written novel that delves into the origins of the Owens family and the power of magic. Alice Hoffman's storytelling ability shines as she takes the reader on a journey filled with love, loss, and the pursuit of destiny. Whether you are a fan of Practical Magic or a newcomer to Alice Hoffman's works, this book is sure to captivate and leave you wanting more..
Reviews for "Exploring the Dark Side of Magic with Alice Hoffman"
1. Emily - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Magic Lessons" by Alice Hoffman. While I had heard great things about the author and her previous works, this book fell flat for me. The story was slow and the characters lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Additionally, I found the writing style to be overly descriptive and repetitive, which made the reading experience tedious. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others.
2. Robert - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Magic Lessons" as I enjoy fantasy novels, but unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. The pacing was also inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Additionally, I found the dialogue to be dull and lacking in significant character development. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it to fellow fantasy lovers.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Magic Lessons" by Alice Hoffman was a letdown for me. While the premise seemed promising, the execution fell short. The protagonist lacked depth and her motivations were unclear, making it difficult for me to sympathize with her journey. The writing style was also a disappointment, as it felt disjointed and overly flowery, which detracted from the overall reading experience. I struggled to maintain interest in the story and found myself skimming through some sections. Overall, this book did not live up to my expectations and I would not recommend it.