Realistic Magic Sally Sally was an ordinary girl living in a small town. She had always been fascinated by magic and the possibility of supernatural powers. However, Sally knew that magic wasn't real, just a product of fiction and imagination. Or so she thought. One day, while walking through a park, Sally stumbled upon an ancient-looking book. Intrigued, she picked it up and began to flip through its pages.
Intrigued, she picked it up and began to flip through its pages. To her surprise, the book contained spells and incantations for real magic. Skeptical but curious, Sally decided to give it a try.
Practical Magic: Film VS. Book
I loved the spooky vibe from the very beginning of this! It was so interesting to see the differences between this and the film adaptation. While the movie was set in that gorgeous house in a small town, the book was actually set in the suburbs in Sally’s house.
That was a huge shock to me but I really enjoyed that, it gave it more of a realistic view, oh and not to mention that the sisters have a more complicated relationship. There’s a lot of hurt and resentment that built up over the years and while Gillian is home for the same reasons as in the movie, it’s not as whimsical. They’ve tried to cover their tracks, Angelov was still a horrible guy and kinda got what he deserved if you asked me.
Sally’s daughters are older and they have their own relationship that’s just as complicated as Sally and Gillian’s. And Sally’s older daughter is a bit of a meanie, but, I loved her development.
Trying to be normal is a stronger theme for Sally but let me tell you guys, seeing Gillian work in the burgershack was one of the best things ever. Real life means sometimes taking a job you may not always want, so, you know, at least that was realistic. Gillian also though deserves love and we see that she’s made a lot of mistakes in picking a partner but the book gives her a worthy love arc, and I think it was a really great relationship for her.
The ending was less bombastic but just as satisfying in my opinion and while the movie was more whimsical, this was still whimsical in its own right and maybe because it was set in the suburbs but there was a heavy magical realism vibe to it because of it.
The Aunts were great and I loved having them come to Sally’s house, again having them come to the suburbs, it was truly great, and such a different vibe than I expected after seeing the movie first.
Overall, super fun read and perfect for any spooky or witchy tbr. 4/5 cups of coffee now onto the film!!
I can’t help it, I adore this film, in fact last night I watched it with Ruby of Bookishly Ruby and we had a blast. I was so glad she watched it with me! I did like the suburbs in the book, totally different vibe but really, I love this gorgeous old house from the movies. I thought it was fantastic and I love that the Aunts are a bit more prominent to the plot in the movie.
Sally’s daughters are younger and sweeter, and a bit more of an innocent addition to the story and Sally and Gillian themselves are closer and more connected. The stress and strain from the book isn’t as consuming in the movie though they still have their problems.
Sally breaks your heart with her grief after her husband dies, and it made me realize that this is just one of the many reasons I love this film.
The setting of the house and the town were great, the creepiness of Angelov is also so well done, you’re on edge with the sisters at times as things are obviously not okay after his death, and Sally is a bit more accepting of magic in the movie.
Sally’s love interest is also very nice, and if you ask Ruby, she’ll tell you all about his amazingness. It’s truly worth asking her and hearing lol.
I guess I don’t have too much to say because it would just be stating the differences, but I LOVE this movie and it turns out, even after reading the book which was awesome, I still love the movie more.
The differences:
- Sally and Gillian have a more strained relationship in the book
- Gillian has a love interest in the book!
- The daughters are younger and sweeter in the movie
- Book is set in the suburbs
- The Aunts are seen as more aloof in the book.
- There’s more of what the Aunts do for the local women in the book.
- Sally’s importance of being normal is more focused on in the book
- Acceptance of magic feels more dramatic in the book
Final Verdict
The book is so creative and intriguing but I love the movie more
The setting of the house and the town were great, the creepiness of Angelov is also so well done, you’re on edge with the sisters at times as things are obviously not okay after his death, and Sally is a bit more accepting of magic in the movie.
She followed the instructions carefully and recited the words written on the page. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through the park, and a bright light surrounded Sally. When the light subsided, Sally couldn't believe her eyes. She had indeed performed real magic. But instead of flashy tricks or mystical abilities, Sally's magic was different. It was realistic. She had the power to manipulate probabilities and outcomes in everyday situations. For example, if Sally wished for a green traffic light, it would turn green within seconds. If she wanted a specific song to play on the radio, it would start playing. Sally's magic enhanced her life in subtle but meaningful ways. As Sally began to explore her newfound abilities, she realized that her magic had limitations. She couldn't change major events or alter destinies. It was more like a helping hand in navigating through the complexities of life. Sally used her realistic magic to improve her relationships and make small but positive changes in the world around her. She helped friends and family by manipulating minor circumstances to their advantage. She also used her powers for philanthropic purposes, bringing luck to those in need. However, Sally soon discovered that her magic came with a price. Every time she used her powers, she felt drained and exhausted. It took a toll on her physical and mental well-being. She had to find a balance between using her magic and taking care of herself. Realistic Magic Sally taught Sally valuable life lessons. She learned that even with the power to influence outcomes, some things were beyond her control. She learned the importance of using her magic responsibly and for the greater good. And most importantly, she learned that true magic wasn't about flashy tricks, but about making a difference in the lives of others. In the end, Sally embraced her unique abilities and continued to use her realistic magic to spread joy and happiness. She became a beacon of hope in her community, known for her ability to bring a little bit of magic into people's lives, one small manipulation at a time..
Reviews for "Sally's Realistic Magic: Empowering Others Through Belief"
1. John - 2/5:
Realistic Magic Sally was a disappointment for me. The story had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver on multiple levels. The characters felt underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. The pacing was also inconsistent, with slow moments that dragged on unnecessarily and sudden jumps that left me confused. Additionally, the magic system in the book was poorly explained, leading to inconsistencies and plot holes throughout the story. Overall, I found Realistic Magic Sally to be a poorly executed novel that fell short of its potential.
2. Emily - 1/5:
I couldn't finish Realistic Magic Sally. Right from the start, the writing style felt forced and the dialogue was awkward. The characters felt like mere caricatures, lacking both complexity and relatability. The plot was predictable and lacked any surprises or unique twists. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it hard for me to stay engaged. Furthermore, some of the scenes seemed unnecessary, dragging the story even further. I was left feeling disappointed and uninterested in continuing. I would not recommend Realistic Magic Sally to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written novel.
3. Alex - 2/5:
Realistic Magic Sally had a lot of potential, but it ultimately failed to deliver. The concept of blending realism and magic sounded intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The world-building was minimal, leaving me with many unanswered questions about how magic functioned in the story. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked any real growth or development. While the writing itself was decent, it wasn't enough to salvage the book. Overall, Realistic Magic Sally left me wanting more depth, coherence, and a better understanding of the magical elements in the story.