The Book of Magic is a novel written by Alice Hoffman. The author is well-known for her magical realism style, and this book is no exception. It is the prequel to Hoffman's famous novel, Practical Magic, which was also adapted into a movie. The Book of Magic takes readers on a mesmerizing journey into the world of witchcraft and sorcery. It is a collection of stories woven together, each exploring different aspects of magic and its impact on the lives of the characters. The stories are set in various time periods, spanning from ancient Egypt to modern-day New York.
Another staple of the Craft, the outdoor fire, emits large amounts of air pollution. You need not extinguish that sabbat fire completely, though. There are ways to reduce the amount of polluting smoke put out by a fire. First of all, burn only fallen, dry, dead wood. Burning green wood that is still wet, or that has been treated with paints or other chemicals, releases more pollutants into the air. Limit the size and frequency of your fires and follow all regulations.
If we want to work well with the natural elements and energies we use in magic, we must have a good relationship with those forces, a mutual willingness to cooperate founded on shared experience, trust, caring, and respect. The actions we take and the choices we make to minimize damage to the environment can give the witch new power, improve magical ability and offer creative formats for spellwork.
The stories are set in various time periods, spanning from ancient Egypt to modern-day New York. Hoffman's writing style is captivating, filled with vivid descriptions and a touch of whimsy. The characters come to life on the pages, each with their unique powers and struggles.
Dare to Be a Green Witch: The Grounded Goodwife's Guide to Wellness & Holistic Healing (Paperback)
Discover the joys of embracing an earth-friendly, natural lifestyle with this extraordinary guide. Daughter and mother coauthors Ehris Urban and Velya Jancz-Urban provide everything you need to get started, including a wide variety of recipes and remedies, historical uses of natural ingredients, and entertaining anecdotes from their time living holistically in a 1770 Connecticut farmhouse.
As the Grounded Goodwife duo, Ehris and Velya guide your journey into the green witch world, introducing you to herbal infusions, fermentation techniques, and pantry essentials. Learn the many uses of fire cider, tonics, essential oils, and collagen. Explore natural body and facial care, healthy ways to indulge in alcohol and chocolate, and recipes for relaxation. From creating an herbal sleep pillow to energy cleansing, Dare to Be a Green Witch shows you how to use nature's gifts for greater wellness.
Watch the book trailer here.
About the Author
Ehris Urban, owner of Grounded Holistic Wellness, believes, "If you're grounded, you can navigate even the bumpiest roads in peace." She grew up in a family passionate about holistic medicine. Ehris is a master herbalist and holistic nutritionist, and graduate of the New England School of Homeopathy. Additionally, Ehris is a Flower Essence Therapy practitioner. She became interested in Reiki as a teenager and attained Reiki Master certification at age 17. Ehris is also an Ingham Method reflexologist. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology/Sociology and is a certified ESL teacher. Ehris enjoys beekeeping, tending her organic vegetable and herb gardens, and working in her apothecary. As Grounded Goodwife, Ehris and her mom, Velya, teach a variety of workshops and presentations at their 1770 Woodbury, Connecticut farmhouse, as well as at other venues.Velya Jancz-Urban lives her life by the adage, "There is no growth without change." Zany and gregarious, she is a teacher, public speaker, author, former Brazilian dairy farm owner, and expert on New England's colonial women. Moving into a foreclosed 1770 farmhouse ignited Velya's interest in the colonial era. She became obsessed with colonial women and created an entertainingly-informative presentation, The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife. As the Grounded Goodwife duo, Velya and her daughter Ehris offer a variety of historic/holistic workshops and seminars. Velya has a few too many rescue dogs and cats, is happiest with a fresh stack of library books, loves thrift shops, and is passionate about alternative medicine. She runs an education program called How Cool Is That?! (Hands-On Science & History), and she believes that hands-on learning is for everyone. Velya and Ehris' mother/daughter memoir, How to Survive a Brazilian Betrayal (Green Writers Press, May 2019), reveals how the duo were grounded, lost everything, became a powerful mother/daughter team--and better versions of themselves.
- Healing - General
- Witchcraft (See Also Religion - Wicca)
- Green Lifestyle
From women who are feared and shunned to men whose abilities defy comprehension, the book showcases a diverse range of magical beings. One of the central themes in The Book of Magic is the power of love and its ability to transcend time and barriers. Hoffman brilliantly explores the intertwining of love and magic throughout the different stories, demonstrating how they shape and transform the lives of the characters. The Book of Magic also delves into the darker side of magic, exploring the consequences and sacrifices that come with harnessing its power. It depicts the internal conflicts and moral dilemmas faced by those who wield magic, highlighting the potential dangers and temptations that arise. Despite the fantastical nature of the book, Hoffman manages to infuse it with a sense of realism. She seamlessly weaves together historical elements with the mystical, creating a world that feels both familiar and extraordinary. Overall, The Book of Magic is a captivating and enchanting read. It showcases Hoffman's masterful storytelling and her ability to transport readers into a realm where anything is possible. Whether you are a fan of magical realism or simply enjoy a well-crafted tale, this book is sure to leave you spellbound..
Reviews for "The Magic of Storytelling in Alice Hoffman's 'The Book of Magic"
1. Karen - 2 stars
I was really disappointed by "The Book of Magic" by Alice Hoffman. I had heard so many great things about her writing, but this book just didn't do it for me. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, with no clear direction. There were too many characters introduced without enough depth or development, leading to a lack of emotional connection. The magical elements felt forced and superficial, lacking the mesmerizing charm I expected. Overall, the book left me feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed.
2. Robert - 1 star
"The Book of Magic" by Alice Hoffman was a complete letdown. The writing style was overly whimsical and flowery, making it hard to follow the story or connect with the characters. The plot lacked coherence and felt like a jumble of random events. The magical elements were not well integrated and seemed like an afterthought rather than an integral part of the story. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat and left me feeling confused and frustrated.
3. Lisa - 2 stars
I found "The Book of Magic" by Alice Hoffman to be a tedious read. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked a clear structure. There were too many subplots and unnecessary tangents that added nothing to the overall narrative. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. While the concept of magic was interesting, it wasn't explored to its full potential, leaving me wanting more. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and struggled to stay engaged throughout.
4. Michael - 2 stars
Alice Hoffman's "The Book of Magic" failed to captivate me. The writing felt shallow and lacked the nuance and depth I expected. The characters were forgettable and lacked any sort of development or growth. The magic in the story felt arbitrary and underutilized, as if it was thrown in as an afterthought. The plot meandered and lacked a clear direction, making it difficult to stay engaged. As a fan of fantasy and magical realism, I was left underwhelmed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
5. Sarah - 2 stars
"The Book of Magic" by Alice Hoffman was a disappointment for me. The story felt disjointed and lacked a cohesive narrative. The multiple perspectives and timelines were confusing and didn't contribute to the overall plot. The magical elements were interesting but weren't given enough attention or explanation, leaving me wanting more. The writing style was also overly descriptive, slowing down the pace and making it difficult to maintain interest. While there were some intriguing concepts and ideas, they were overshadowed by the book's flaws, ultimately leaving a lot to be desired.