In 1620, Maria Owens was charged with witchery because she fell in love with the wrong man. Since then, love has been a curse for the Owens family, even hundreds of years later, when New York City is on the cusp of the 1960s. Susanna Owens knows her three children, Franny, Jet and Vincent, are dangerously unique. From the start, Susanna sets down strict rules: no red shoes, no crows, no candles, no books about magic, and most importantly, never fall in love. However, when the children visit their Aunt Isabelle in the small Massachusetts town where Maria once lived, they uncover some family secrets. Now, the three have been set upon their own paths to discover who they are, and if they can escape the family curse.
This prequel to Practical Magic is beautifully written, evocative and and absorbing read. I found I was staying up late to read it, and then thinking about the book when I was at work (and wanting to go home and finish reading it!). Hoffman does a great job of incorporating bits of magic into a family dynamic that has challenges all on its own. The way things are set up from the beginning, you think can predict the storyline, but there are surprises (some wonderful, some sad) along the way. I absolutely loved this book (enough to buy a copy for myself).
No comments:
Post a Comment