Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman – 416 pages

ARC from Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for an honest review

Book Blurb:

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 “Unnamed 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.
Desire, if handled incorrectly, could become a curse.”

My Review: 4.5 stars

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Magic Lessons had the perfect mix magic, history, love and hope within its 416 pages. This book is the prequel to Alice Hoffman’s mega-hit, Practical Magic, which I read so long ago that my only memory is from the movie. I just looked up the movie and realized I didn’t remember that very well either, I thought Cher was in it, but no, it was Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

The book takes place in the 17^th century, set in England, the Caribbean islands and Salem, Massachusetts. We meet the eldest member and matriarch of the Owens’ family, Maria, who was left to a kind stranger, who schooled her in the natural arts. I loved the term natural arts, for at the time, every herb, plant, seed, fruit or vegetable was used for medicinal purposes as well as magic. Maria was character to root for. She was smart, strong and loved hard.

Because this is a saga of sorts, we see Maria’s family expand over the years, which creates a strong theme of mother/daughter relationships. The men in their lives are kind and cruel, and if you’re like me, you’ll fall in love with Samuel Dias. The history in the book will amaze you, although it should be no surprise coming from such an astounding author. Religion, law, geography…the book covers it all.

I was fortunate enough to read and listen to the book, back and forth, throughout its entirety. Folks, I could listen to Sutton Foster read to me all day. She was brilliant. Having her voice in my head while I read was an added bonus, as I then read with her cadence and style. I can’t recommend the audio version or the book more. I’m not sure how Hoffman could add more to this story unless she goes back even further, or explores the Dias family history. All I know is that if Alice Hoffman writes it, I’ll read it!

Quotes I liked:

Desire, if handled incorrectly, could become a curse.”

“It was always best to step into the future while it was still waiting for you.”

“Always love someone who will love you back.”

“When you fall in love like that, time doesn’t matter. This was the secret he told Maria, the last words he ever said. What belonged to you once, will always belong to you. Be grateful if you have walked through the world with another’s heart in your hand.”