Magic Lessons Audiobook By Alice Hoffman cover art

Magic Lessons

A Prequel to Practical Magic

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Magic Lessons

By: Alice Hoffman
Narrated by: Sutton Foster
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $22.49

Buy for $22.49

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

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.

©2020 Alice Hoffman, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2020 Simon & Schuster. All rights reserved.
Historical Fiction Occult Fiction Witchcraft Scary Heartfelt
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Featured Article: 25 of the Best Witchy Listens to Cast a Spell for Halloween


Spooky season is upon us, and it's the perfect time of the year to sink into some wonderful witchy listens—although to be honest, we don't need an excuse to enjoy great stories about the fascinating world of witches. Whether you're into fantastical fiction tales of magic, the more practical informational guides on how to practice witchcraft, or historical tales about the real lives of famous witches, we've rounded up some of the very best witch audiobooks.

What listeners say about Magic Lessons

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,756
  • 4 Stars
    557
  • 3 Stars
    137
  • 2 Stars
    35
  • 1 Stars
    21
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,537
  • 4 Stars
    388
  • 3 Stars
    111
  • 2 Stars
    30
  • 1 Stars
    24
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,443
  • 4 Stars
    463
  • 3 Stars
    115
  • 2 Stars
    29
  • 1 Stars
    23

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Alice Hoffman Never Disappoints

When the movie Practical Magic was released, I was delighted with the story line. I appreciated the relationship of sisters, the pain of unrequited Love, and the message that women could help themselves and were strongest when assembled.

Rules of Magic was FABULOUS; taking the reader through the tail end of the baby boomer era, illustrating self discovery, the futility of ignoring who one truly is, the cruelty of a constantly critical society.

When I heard Magic Lessons was on its way, I wasted no time in pre-ordering and within hours of receiving it, I listened to the entire book. Maria!! A legend 'brought to life.' Once again Alice Hoffman paints a world of women who are dedicated to their own; strong enough to withstand harsh societal oppression and persecution - truly acquainted with the rule of cause and effect. From their romantic lives to their familiars, from innate talent to acquired -- the journey of these women is both inspiring and a cautionary tale. Having listened to this only once so far, you can bet I'll be listening again -- And will be investing in a hard copy for my library. Love these Owens women!!! Thank you Alice Hoffman.

PS - Besides this trilogy, The Probably Future, Seventh Heaven, The Red Garden, are equally worthwhile. So grateful for this prolific author as I continue to read her works!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

41 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Everything I Hoped it would Be❤️❤️

Absolutely perfect!! As a huge fan of Practical Magic I couldn’t be any happier with this prequel! Totally magical, heart felt, and of course holds the perfect loving message within life’s lessons and sorrows.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous writing!

Obsessed with this book! I am so grateful for the history on the Owen's woman! 💖

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

lovely

What a wonderful and heart rending journey! I am so happy that I found it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A fantastic edition to the Practical Magic history

I really enjoyed this as I do all of Alice Hoffman's work. She is a big inspiration for my own writing. I was sad she did not use the interesting technique to shift POV the way she did in Practical Magic but with such a wide audience, I understand why she wouldn't. Still, the book was engrossing and swept me off into a world of magic blended with reality in a way that makes you forget it's fiction.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite so far

When I saw this was available for pre-order I really was t expecting much. I thought it would be a hastily thrown together prequel right on time for Halloween. I was wrong, so wrong. I love everything about this! I was bracing myself for a depressing tale of Maria’s life. Instead it was heartwarming. I love herbal magic. I love the feel of the words and I will listen again and again. I do not practice but I find it both fascinating and comforting. She did not disappoint. Narration is beautiful as well. Well done!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

How it all began

This was a great story. Different perhaps than the movie would have us believe but a nice development of characters we've all met before

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best in the series

So good to hear the story of Maria Owens. It was beautiful and better than expected. I had to read them all over again after reading this book and a great performance by the narrator very soothing voice not overly acted like some.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Another reader biased from Practical Magic film

Didn't end like I thought it would. The climax felt half hearted honestly. But I enjoyed it just the same.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enchanting

I found myself enchanted, going deep down the rabbit hole, and never looking back.

I seized every moment I could to listen to this story. Even finding myself tasting the apple pie described. The narrator had a pleasant voice as well. A new favorite for me that I plan to listen to again in the future.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!