Magic Lessons

The Prequel to Practical Magic

By: Alice Hoffman

Narrated by: Sutton Foster

In this “ bewitching” (The New York Times Book Review) novel that traces a centuries-old curse to its source, beloved author Alice Hoffman unveils the story of Maria Owens, accused of witchcraft in Salem, and matriarch of a line of the amazing Owens women and men featured in Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic.

Where does the story of the Owens bloodline begin? With Maria Owens, in the 1600s, when she’s abandoned in a snowy field in rural England as a baby. Under the care of Hannah Owens, Maria learns about the “Nameless Arts.” Hannah recognizes that Maria has a gift and she teaches the girl all she knows. It is here that she learns her first important lesson: Always love someone who will love you back.

When Maria is abandoned by the man who has declared his love for her, she follows him to Salem, Massachusetts. Here she invokes the curse that will haunt her family. And it’s here that she learns the rules of magic and the lesson that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. Love is the only thing that matters.

Magic Lessons is a “heartbreaking and heart-healing” (BookPage) celebration of life and love and a showcase of Alice Hoffman’s masterful storytelling.

Critic reviews

"Tony Award winner Sutton Foster narrates the prequel to PRACTICAL MAGIC. In 1664, Hannah Owens takes in baby Maria and teaches her the craft. Maria grows up and falls in love but is abandoned. She follows the object of her affection to Salem, Massachusetts, where she invokes the curse that will affect generations, and, in the process, she learns the real rules of magic. Foster sings beautifully and keeps to a steady pace for the descriptive story. Her emphasis on the word 'blood' as a spell ingredient highlights its importance as compared to common items, which are read softly. Whispered pleas drive home the characters' desperation. The sweetly confident voice of a young witch contrasts with the dry, sardonic tone of the embittered but fair man assisting her in her journey."

Get this book.

Sutton Foster is an outstanding narrator. Alice Hoffman has done it again. Get the book.

Alice Hoffman is brilliant!!!

I don’t know how I’ve missed Alice Hoffman as a writer but I her stories-I’ve just listened to a few so far-but she speaks to my soul. I love learning about other time periods! I only gave this performance a 4 because of Sutton Foster! Of course, I have followed her career for years-I’m a huge Broadway fan!- but I think she read this story sort of like a children’s fairy tale and not a more adult interpretation of the character! Maria Owens is a very wonderful character. Maria is a human being who has the gift of magic. She is written seriously, she has flaws, but she symbolizes a good woman who works tirelessly in women’s health. She is smart, she falls in love, she is a mother, a daughter. Ultimately, she is a relatable character who most women can identify with-at least in part! The book is not a silly tale-it is much deeper than that! Thank you Ms. Hoffman for the inspiration to look inside myself for the witch! I know she’s there! -Julie Lynn McCarthy, Highlands Ranch, CO

Loved This

I love everything about the Practical Magic series. This was an amazing additional nd I would love to see more of the Owens history.

Breathtaking

One of the best books by Alice Hoffman. Magic Lessons takes one on a journey of love, sacrifice and forgiveness. Fans of the Owens women will find this book to be difficult to put down and perhaps even wish they were part of the Owens family; after all there is a little bit of witch in all of us...

Not the best reader

This is one audiobook that is probably better read as a regular text. The reader's cadence and tone is all wrong. This is a gothic tale, but she reads it like Peppa Goes to the Salem Market. Instead of a broody, dynamic, emotive voice, we get someone reading a cheerful recipe book for children: "Then add three eggs, one stick of butter, an absentee father, and stir until combined!" The back of your brain tells you something dramatic happened, but the kindergarten teacher reading it to you just sort of skipped over it like it's no big deal. "Cup of sugar, tra la la!" Be your own voice for this one. Don't do the audible version.

The story is good. You know the movie Practical Magic was better than the novel, but in Hoffman's defense, the books since that one have been better and better. I have always wondered about Maria's story, and this book answers those questions in a very satisfying way. Pratchett's Granny Weatherwax, the witch among witches, says that witches "look to the edges" and certainly Maria fits the bill. Witches seem untroubled by pointless rules and traditions and especially see no need to hold people to unrealistic societal rules. I like a story like this one that shows how they skirt the edges, and edge their skirts, as it happens. Blue thread for the win.