The curse of the Bridge Hollow creator is a haunting legend that has been passed down through generations in the small town of Bridge Hollow. The story goes that many years ago, a talented artist lived in the town. He was known for his beautiful and intricate paintings, and his work was highly sought after. However, as his fame grew, the artist became more reclusive. He locked himself away in his studio, rarely leaving except to gather supplies. It is said that he became obsessed with his work, staying up late into the night, painting feverishly.
Alice Hoffman
For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1680, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man.
Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the sixties, when the whole world is about to change, Susanna Owens knows that her three children are dangerously unique. Difficult Franny, with skin as pale as milk and blood red hair, shy and beautiful Jet, who can read other people’s thoughts, and charismatic Vincent, who began looking for trouble on the day he could walk.
From the start Susanna sets down rules for her children: No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And most importantly, never, ever, fall in love. But when her children visit their Aunt Isabelle, in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Yet, the children cannot escape love even if they try, just as they cannot escape the pains of the human heart. The two beautiful sisters will grow up to be the memorable aunts in Practical Magic, while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy.
Alice Hoffman delivers “fairy-tale promise with real-life struggle” (The New York Times Book Review) in a story how the only remedy for being human is to be true to yourself. Thrilling and exquisite, real and fantastical, The Rules of Magic is “irresistible…the kind of book you race through, then pause at the last forty pages, savoring your final moments with the characters” (USA TODAY, 4/4 stars).
Praise
"Reading an Alice Hoffman book is like falling into a deep dream where senses are heightened and love reigns supreme. The Rules of Magic is no exception.”
—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things
“Hoffman delights in this prequel to Practical Magic as three siblings discover both the power and curse of their magic. Hoffman’s novel is a coming-of-age tale replete with magic and historical references to the early witch trials. The spellbinding story, focusing on the strength of family bonds through joy and sorrow, will appeal to a broad range of readers. Fans of Practical Magic will be bewitched.”
—Publishers Weekly starred review
“The Owens sisters are back—not in their previous guise as elderly aunties casting spells in Hoffman’s occult romance Practical Magic (1995), but as fledgling witches in the New York City captured in Patti Smith’s memoir Just Kids… No one’s more confident or entertaining than Hoffman at putting across characters willing to tempt fate for true love.”
—Kirkus Review
“I was enraptured by this fabulous book, which is filled with magic and charm.”
—Terri Smith, Library Reads
“Hoffman’s writing is frank, tender, vivid, and elusive all at once. Full of sorrow and beauty and courage, The Rules of Magic is a delicious, satisfying read.”
—Heather Herbaugh, Mitzi’s Books, Rapid City, SD, Indie Next List
“I got so swept up in this enchanting story and I can’t wait for you all to start reading it!”
—Reese Witherspoon
“This is the kind of book you race through, then pause at the last 40 pages, savoring your final moments with the characters.”
—USA TODAY
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1) (Paperback)
This is book number 1 in the The Practical Magic Series series.
- #2: The Rules of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #2) (Paperback): $16.99
- #4: The Book of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #4) (Paperback): $17.99
Related Editions
- CD-Audio (October 10th, 2017): $19.99
Description
*25th Anniversary Edition*—with an Introduction by the Author!
The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic.
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic.
“Splendid. Practical Magic is one of [Hoffman's] best novels, showing on every page her gift for touching ordinary life as if with a wand, to reveal how extraordinary life really is.”—Newsweek
“[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible.”—Cosmopolitan
About the Author
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew, The Rules of Magic (A Reese’s Book Club pick), Practical Magic, The Marriage of Opposites, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. She lives near Boston.
Praise For…
Praise for Practical Magic
“A beautiful, moving book about the power of love and the desires of the heart.”—Denver Post
“Charmingly told, and a good deal of fun.”—The New York Times Book Review
“One of her most lyrical works. Hoffman is at her best.”—San Francisco Chronicle Book Review
“Written with a light hand and rhythm. Practical Magic has the pace of a fairy tale but with the impact of accomplished fiction.”—People
“A sweet, sweet story that like the best fairy tales says more than at first it seems to.”—New York Daily News
“[Hoffman] has proved once again her potency as a storyteller, combining the mundane with the fantastic in a totally engaging way.”—The Orlando Sentinel
“Hoffman's writing has plenty of power. Her best sentences are like incantations—they won't let you get away.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Witches and ghosts, spells and sleight-of-hand weave a fanciful atmosphere in Alice Hoffman's tender comedy about clairvoyance, spells, and family ties.”—The Miami Herald
“A cosmic romance leavened with just the right touch of pragmatism and humor.”—Booklist
- Fiction / Literary
- Fiction / Women
- Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary
- CD-Audio (October 10th, 2017): $19.99
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1) (Paperback)
**Book listings on our website do not always reflect the current availability of books on our store shelves. Check a book's in-store availability above the "add to cart" button. Or to be certain that a book you've found on our website is also here on our shelves, feel free to call us at 615-953-2243**
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1) (Paperback)
By Alice Hoffman, Alice Hoffman (Introduction by)$19.00
On Our Shelves Now 1 on hand, as of Jan 15 10:06pm (Fiction)Other Books in Series
This is book number 1 in the The Practical Magic Series series.
- #2: The Rules of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #2) (Paperback): $16.99
- #4: The Book of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #4) (Paperback): $17.99
*25th Anniversary Edition*—with an Introduction by the Author!
The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic.
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic.
“Splendid. Practical Magic is one of [Hoffman's] best novels, showing on every page her gift for touching ordinary life as if with a wand, to reveal how extraordinary life really is.”—Newsweek
“[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible.”—Cosmopolitan
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew, The Rules of Magic (A Reese’s Book Club pick), Practical Magic, The Marriage of Opposites, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. She lives near Boston.
- Fiction / Literary
- Fiction / Women
- Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary
Praise for Practical Magic
“A beautiful, moving book about the power of love and the desires of the heart.”—Denver Post
“Charmingly told, and a good deal of fun.”—The New York Times Book Review
“One of her most lyrical works. Hoffman is at her best.”—San Francisco Chronicle Book Review
“Written with a light hand and rhythm. Practical Magic has the pace of a fairy tale but with the impact of accomplished fiction.”—People
“A sweet, sweet story that like the best fairy tales says more than at first it seems to.”—New York Daily News
“[Hoffman] has proved once again her potency as a storyteller, combining the mundane with the fantastic in a totally engaging way.”—The Orlando Sentinel
“Hoffman's writing has plenty of power. Her best sentences are like incantations—they won't let you get away.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Witches and ghosts, spells and sleight-of-hand weave a fanciful atmosphere in Alice Hoffman's tender comedy about clairvoyance, spells, and family ties.”—The Miami Herald
“A cosmic romance leavened with just the right touch of pragmatism and humor.”—Booklist
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1)
The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic.
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic.
“Splendid. Practical Magic is one of [Hoffman's] best novels, showing on every page her gift for touching ordinary life as if with a wand, to reveal how extraordinary life really is.”—Newsweek
“[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible.”—Cosmopolitan
It is said that he became obsessed with his work, staying up late into the night, painting feverishly. One stormy night, the artist completed his masterpiece. It was a painting of a beautiful bridge in Bridge Hollow, with the town's houses and trees surrounding it.
About the Author
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew, The Rules of Magic (A Reese’s Book Club pick), Practical Magic, The Marriage of Opposites, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. She lives near Boston.
Praise for Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1)
Praise for Practical Magic
“A beautiful, moving book about the power of love and the desires of the heart.”—Denver Post
“Charmingly told, and a good deal of fun.”—The New York Times Book Review
“One of her most lyrical works. Hoffman is at her best.”—San Francisco Chronicle Book Review
“Written with a light hand and rhythm. Practical Magic has the pace of a fairy tale but with the impact of accomplished fiction.”—People
“A sweet, sweet story that like the best fairy tales says more than at first it seems to.”—New York Daily News
“[Hoffman] has proved once again her potency as a storyteller, combining the mundane with the fantastic in a totally engaging way.”—The Orlando Sentinel
“Hoffman's writing has plenty of power. Her best sentences are like incantations—they won't let you get away.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Witches and ghosts, spells and sleight-of-hand weave a fanciful atmosphere in Alice Hoffman's tender comedy about clairvoyance, spells, and family ties.”—The Miami Herald
“A cosmic romance leavened with just the right touch of pragmatism and humor.”—Booklist
The level of detail in the painting was extraordinary - every brick of the bridge, every leaf on the trees, every window in the houses. As the artist admired his creation, he heard a strange voice whisper from the painting. "Bridge Hollow does not exist," the voice said. Startled, the artist looked closer at the painting and saw that the bridge was crumbling, the houses were decaying, and the trees were dead. Terrified, the artist tried to destroy the cursed painting, but every attempt was futile. It seemed that the curse had taken hold, and the artist was trapped in the world he had unknowingly created. The legend states that the artist disappeared that night, never to be seen again. Some say he was consumed by the curse, while others believe he became a ghost, forever trapped in his own painting. From that day forward, the bridge in Bridge Hollow became known as the "Bridge Hollow creator," and it is said to be haunted. People claim to have heard strange whispers and seen ghostly figures near the bridge. Some even say that the curse can be passed on to anyone who looks at the painting for too long. Whether the curse of the Bridge Hollow creator is real or just a spooky legend, it has certainly left its mark on the town. The story serves as a reminder of the dangers of obsession and the power that art can hold..
Reviews for "The Bridge Hollow Creator Haunting: Fact or Fiction?"
1. John - 2 stars - The Curse of the Bridge Hollow Creator was a disappointment for me. The storyline was unoriginal and lacked any real suspense or surprises. The characters felt one-dimensional and I had a hard time connecting with them. The pacing was slow and the writing style didn't hold my interest. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a thrilling mystery.
2. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't finish The Curse of the Bridge Hollow Creator. The plot was convoluted and confusing, with too many unnecessary subplots that distracted from the main story. The writing was amateurish and filled with clichés. The character development was weak, making it hard for me to care about any of them. I found myself bored and frustrated with the book, and ultimately gave up on it.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - The Curse of the Bridge Hollow Creator had potential, but it fell short for me. The pacing was inconsistent, with sections that dragged on and others that felt rushed. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it hard to fully engage with the story. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others, especially if they're seeking a well-crafted mystery.