Practical Magic

Practical Magic is a 1995 magical realism novel by American writer Alice Hoffman. The narrative follows two sisters who are raised in a family of witches and must come to terms with their family’s heritage, their place in the community, and the trials of love and loss, all while growing up and raising the next generation. Following the novel’s success, Hoffman wrote two prequels and a sequel, completing the four-part Practical Magic series. The novel was also adapted into a film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in 1998, which became a cult classic. The novel deals with themes of destructive love, family dynamics, tradition, independence, and growth.

This guide uses the 2021 Scribner edition.

Content Warning: The source text contains depictions of sexual and domestic assault.

Plot Summary

After their parents die in a fire, sisters Sally and Gillian Owens go to live with their eccentric aunts, Frances and Bridget. Due to their magical abilities, the Owens family is treated with suspicion in their Massachusetts town, and Sally and Gillian dream of a conventional life. However, women from the town come to the house looking for love spells, which are the aunts’ specialty.