Magic Lessons

A 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.

©2020 Alice Hoffman, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2020 Simon & Schuster. All rights reserved.

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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

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...

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.

Wonderfully told

I truly enjoyed listening. Sutton Foster read beautifully and I found her voice to be very peaceful. In fact it was so peaceful I learned to bookmark where I started because, if in bed, I would be lulled to sleep.

The book was well written. It was unfortunate that at the very end a small detail was included that I know to be false. Maria’s mansion could never have been built to hold a large cast iron stove. All cooking was done over large hearth fire’s or outside in large earthen ovens until around the 1850’s.. cast iron came in the earlier 1800’s and stove afterwards.

Despite that hiccup I loved the descriptions of the gardens! I have to find this in print so I can go over all that were detailed in the plantings throughout the book. There are many things I would like to put in a kitchen garden of my own this Spring.

tears of happiness

I am so sad that this is the last one I wish there were more about it these are wonderful books thank you very much

Love Is Always the Answer

I never thought I’d love a book as much as I do this one. It’s even better than Practical Magic, and that is high praise as Practical Magic is a favorite of so many. What a gift Alice Hoffman has given the world with this series. It honors women and people who are considered “other” in so many important ways. The book teaches the importance of a well rounded education through reading, study, travel, and meeting people outside our normal social circles. The narration by Sutton Foster is stellar.

all of it

loved the whole book. the prequel to practical magic is a dream come true.

Beautiful story.

I was hesitant because of my love for the film. The book is beautifully done and Sutton is certainly a witch with words. Wonderful.

Beautiful story!

This is one of my all time favorite books! It was an exciting, feel good story.