Riley’s review of Practical Magic (Practical Magic, #1) > Likes and Comments
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That's exactly how I feel!
I second it...movie was so much better!
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I've always loved the movie and assumed it was inspired by an equally magical book. Not so much.
I too liked the movie better. Perhaps if I hadn't seen the movie, I wouldn't be as bored with the book, but I'm truly struggling to finish. I don't care what happens to ANY of the characters, except for Gideon and the bunny.
Yes! It's becoming painful to read. I loved the movie. I'm sad the writing is so sporadic and lacks rhythm.
I so felt this way, too! She moved in and out of different verb tenses, which was so confusing and uncomfortable through the whole book! Frustrating!
was disappointed with the book, it wasn't horrible but sally's daughters were annoying.
I am about half way through and feel the same way. If it weren't for the movie, I probably would have put it down already. Meandering plot for one, but also I just don't really like these people. Why should I care about a batch of characters who ALL do not seem, frankly, very nice? Also, I am getting tired of the emphasis on physical beauty. Over and over and over again we read about someone being traffic-stoppingly gorgeous. I am sorry, but I just don't care that much and I got it about 50 pages ago. Also, if you're a total b, it doesn't really matter. Can we move on to the life lessons now? Hoping for better in the pages to come.
I’m definitely with you on this. The movie was so much better.
Ha ha I totally agree with you, the movie was miles better than the book. I watched the movie years ago so when I started reading the book I couldn’t help but compare it to the movie. Things happened at a completely different time frame. I did like the book but no where near as much as the movie
Should I bother reading her other books? The writing & story fell so flat. Shocked by the reviews printed on the paperback. "Glorious prose..." No. "A delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love..." Hardly any witchcraft.
I am on page 132 and moving through it so slow and painful. I love the movie and keep waiting to see any connection between the two stories. Trying now to just let it be it's own story.
This is a perfect description of this book and why it didn’t work for me. Thank you for putting it so well!
Oh I too did not enjoy this book as much as I wanted to and felt like Sally’s love story was rushed at the end. I’m just going to watch Practical Magic again for the 500th time!
Perfect review. I’m on page 160 and just gave up. It just keeps going and going and I can’t slog through it anymore.
I agree 100%. The rare case that the movie is much better.
Just finished the book and agree with all these comments: it’s a rare example of the movie being better. None of the characters were very likeable- but yes, I get it, they’re all super beautiful (eye roll). Also agree the plot was meandering and did not keep my attention. Ive absolutely loved the other Alice Hoffman books I’ve read (The Dove keepers and The World we Knew) so this was really disappointing. I’m giving the Rules of Magic a shot anyway but not off to a promising start with Frannie and Jet being described almost identically to Sally’s two daughters.
I think the movie absolutely destroys the book. It was miscast, the characters were twisted around, and it was too precious. Ruination of an excellent novel.
Totally agree... I wanted this book to be amazing but it was very disappointing...
😂 I like how she writes. For me yes!!! The movie was better. But its weird I like her writing style but I am not a fan of the story😅 but I will read here sequels just to see.
I just wrote down pretty much exactly the same opinion / review. Happy to know it's not just me.
Absolutely agree! I had to stop reading it, it was torture! Maybe it’s the writing style? I know books and movies don’t always carry the same plot, so I try not to get attached to that, but I couldn’t get past how the book was written, it made it so much harder to read!
I loved reading your review. I actually laughed out loud. For real!
Completely agree. I loved Magic lessons and was really excited to read this. It's just not I would have expected. I wanted Sally and Gillian to be closer. I wanted the aunt's to be in the book more.
I agree. I read the books first and just watched the movie. The movie is 100x better than the books.
I’m only 40 percent done and I’m not sure I’m going to finish. How many times can the author say Sally in one paragraph 🥴 Magic lessons is much better.
You are so right about the listing! I couldn’t put my finger on it, but that is it. She made lists about the groceries that she’d allow the girls to buy and what homework assignments they could do and in what order and how beautifully shiny their hair was in the glinting moonlight and the cloying scent of the lilacs on the warm ten o’clock breezes… aye yi yi! It was so snoozy!
Honestly I'm amazed the screenplay was even adapted from this book. It's so freaking awful. The dead body isn't even like a central plot point, it just happens in the background and is largely ignored. The love interests are complete losers, the detective has an emotional breakdown over coffee?! Gillian's boyfriend is some kinda of Stepford freak who does magic for sick kids and is incredibly smart but somehow only manages to be a high school science teacher... It defies logic and feels like it was written by a fourteen year old. This whole book was so devoid of love, magic, character and plot. It's amazing the movie ever got made lol.
I agree. Couldn’t stand the writing and the ending was stupid.
I agree, the movie was better. I RARELY say that. But I did like the prequels a lot.
Couldn’t agree more! My review is the same. I was hoping to read the movie version but it definitely was far from that. Movie is amaZING and I was looking forward to reading it but got pretty confused and disappointed ☹️
100% agree. I couldn’t get past the writing.
What's wrong with lists? Too much for you to comprehend? The more details presented, the better you understand. She's a brilliant writer.
Yes!! This and Princess Bride are both rare examples of "The Movie Was Better". Although I did enjoy this one...but treated it like a separate entity than the much-beloved movie. And the audio made the book more enjoyable.
I saw the movie first and then read the other books, working my way back to this one. This was my thought through the whole book. I kept waiting for more of the plot from the movie to appear. The writers for the movie need an award for their work. It’s almost an entirely new story from the book.
I agree, too! I have been watching the movie for two decades now and love it! But, I read the book once years ago and hated it. Now, I'm doing a reread to see if my feelings have changed, but they haven't. I have enjoyed some of her other books very much, but this one is terrible. The movie is much better.
I feel so seen. I just listened to the audio book and the beginning was okay for me, I like the scenes with the death beetle coming but after that it just tanked. The over-listing and droning on of descriptions was exhausting but moreso my issue was that it just didn't feel relatable or realistic. I wanted to feel this story, good writing pulls you in and I felt like I was just watching this whacky story go on and on with no end or point in sight. The characters are way too extra in their theme, no one can relate to them nor would they really even want to. I eventually just kept it on the in the background barely listening by the last quarter of the book.
I couldn’t finish it, The writing is very boring and the lists never end!
I've decided to DNF this book, sadly. Her writing style just does not mesh with me at all. I suffered through the prequels to get to this, only to not finish it. I'm feeling very disappointed.
Totally agree. The writings style was odd and the book itself quite boring, sad, negative. I love the movie
The only decision that I’ve made that was worse than finishing this book was picking it up in the first place.
I'm so relieved that I am not the only one that couldn't finish it. You managed to put into words every reason why as well. Have not yet seen the movie, but I couldn't finish the book. Hard nope.
Yes I agree. I loved movie so much more. I didnt even feel like it was the same story it is so different. A book was a little weird, story was plain I really didnt like it.
I feel validated. I made it almost halfway and ditched it for the reasons mentioned here. I really wanted to enjoy this one.
Great, I liked the movie so much that I was tempted to read the book too, but given your review, not!
Agree. It was excruciating to get through this book.
I'm on page 66. You nailed it. It's a DNF for me.
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Norma
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Nov 14, 2013 08:12PM
That's exactly how I feel!
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I second it...movie was so much better!
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I've always loved the movie and assumed it was inspired by an equally magical book. Not so much.
I too liked the movie better. Perhaps if I hadn't seen the movie, I wouldn't be as bored with the book, but I'm truly struggling to finish. I don't care what happens to ANY of the characters, except for Gideon and the bunny.
Yes! It's becoming painful to read. I loved the movie. I'm sad the writing is so sporadic and lacks rhythm.
I so felt this way, too! She moved in and out of different verb tenses, which was so confusing and uncomfortable through the whole book! Frustrating!
was disappointed with the book, it wasn't horrible but sally's daughters were annoying.
I am about half way through and feel the same way. If it weren't for the movie, I probably would have put it down already. Meandering plot for one, but also I just don't really like these people. Why should I care about a batch of characters who ALL do not seem, frankly, very nice? Also, I am getting tired of the emphasis on physical beauty. Over and over and over again we read about someone being traffic-stoppingly gorgeous. I am sorry, but I just don't care that much and I got it about 50 pages ago. Also, if you're a total b, it doesn't really matter. Can we move on to the life lessons now? Hoping for better in the pages to come.
I’m definitely with you on this. The movie was so much better.
Ha ha I totally agree with you, the movie was miles better than the book. I watched the movie years ago so when I started reading the book I couldn’t help but compare it to the movie. Things happened at a completely different time frame. I did like the book but no where near as much as the movie
Should I bother reading her other books? The writing & story fell so flat. Shocked by the reviews printed on the paperback. "Glorious prose..." No. "A delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love..." Hardly any witchcraft.
I am on page 132 and moving through it so slow and painful. I love the movie and keep waiting to see any connection between the two stories. Trying now to just let it be it's own story.
This is a perfect description of this book and why it didn’t work for me. Thank you for putting it so well!
Oh I too did not enjoy this book as much as I wanted to and felt like Sally’s love story was rushed at the end. I’m just going to watch Practical Magic again for the 500th time!
Perfect review. I’m on page 160 and just gave up. It just keeps going and going and I can’t slog through it anymore.
I agree 100%. The rare case that the movie is much better.
Just finished the book and agree with all these comments: it’s a rare example of the movie being better. None of the characters were very likeable- but yes, I get it, they’re all super beautiful (eye roll). Also agree the plot was meandering and did not keep my attention. Ive absolutely loved the other Alice Hoffman books I’ve read (The Dove keepers and The World we Knew) so this was really disappointing. I’m giving the Rules of Magic a shot anyway but not off to a promising start with Frannie and Jet being described almost identically to Sally’s two daughters.
I think the movie absolutely destroys the book. It was miscast, the characters were twisted around, and it was too precious. Ruination of an excellent novel.
Totally agree... I wanted this book to be amazing but it was very disappointing...
😂 I like how she writes. For me yes!!! The movie was better. But its weird I like her writing style but I am not a fan of the story😅 but I will read here sequels just to see.
I just wrote down pretty much exactly the same opinion / review. Happy to know it's not just me.
Absolutely agree! I had to stop reading it, it was torture! Maybe it’s the writing style? I know books and movies don’t always carry the same plot, so I try not to get attached to that, but I couldn’t get past how the book was written, it made it so much harder to read!
I loved reading your review. I actually laughed out loud. For real!
Completely agree. I loved Magic lessons and was really excited to read this. It's just not I would have expected. I wanted Sally and Gillian to be closer. I wanted the aunt's to be in the book more.
I agree. I read the books first and just watched the movie. The movie is 100x better than the books.
I’m only 40 percent done and I’m not sure I’m going to finish. How many times can the author say Sally in one paragraph 🥴 Magic lessons is much better.
You are so right about the listing! I couldn’t put my finger on it, but that is it. She made lists about the groceries that she’d allow the girls to buy and what homework assignments they could do and in what order and how beautifully shiny their hair was in the glinting moonlight and the cloying scent of the lilacs on the warm ten o’clock breezes… aye yi yi! It was so snoozy!
Honestly I'm amazed the screenplay was even adapted from this book. It's so freaking awful. The dead body isn't even like a central plot point, it just happens in the background and is largely ignored. The love interests are complete losers, the detective has an emotional breakdown over coffee?! Gillian's boyfriend is some kinda of Stepford freak who does magic for sick kids and is incredibly smart but somehow only manages to be a high school science teacher... It defies logic and feels like it was written by a fourteen year old. This whole book was so devoid of love, magic, character and plot. It's amazing the movie ever got made lol.
I agree. Couldn’t stand the writing and the ending was stupid.
I agree, the movie was better. I RARELY say that. But I did like the prequels a lot.
Couldn’t agree more! My review is the same. I was hoping to read the movie version but it definitely was far from that. Movie is amaZING and I was looking forward to reading it but got pretty confused and disappointed ☹️
100% agree. I couldn’t get past the writing.
What's wrong with lists? Too much for you to comprehend? The more details presented, the better you understand. She's a brilliant writer.
Yes!! This and Princess Bride are both rare examples of "The Movie Was Better". Although I did enjoy this one...but treated it like a separate entity than the much-beloved movie. And the audio made the book more enjoyable.
I saw the movie first and then read the other books, working my way back to this one. This was my thought through the whole book. I kept waiting for more of the plot from the movie to appear. The writers for the movie need an award for their work. It’s almost an entirely new story from the book.
I agree, too! I have been watching the movie for two decades now and love it! But, I read the book once years ago and hated it. Now, I'm doing a reread to see if my feelings have changed, but they haven't. I have enjoyed some of her other books very much, but this one is terrible. The movie is much better.
I feel so seen. I just listened to the audio book and the beginning was okay for me, I like the scenes with the death beetle coming but after that it just tanked. The over-listing and droning on of descriptions was exhausting but moreso my issue was that it just didn't feel relatable or realistic. I wanted to feel this story, good writing pulls you in and I felt like I was just watching this whacky story go on and on with no end or point in sight. The characters are way too extra in their theme, no one can relate to them nor would they really even want to. I eventually just kept it on the in the background barely listening by the last quarter of the book.
I couldn’t finish it, The writing is very boring and the lists never end!
I've decided to DNF this book, sadly. Her writing style just does not mesh with me at all. I suffered through the prequels to get to this, only to not finish it. I'm feeling very disappointed.
Totally agree. The writings style was odd and the book itself quite boring, sad, negative. I love the movie
The only decision that I’ve made that was worse than finishing this book was picking it up in the first place.
I'm so relieved that I am not the only one that couldn't finish it. You managed to put into words every reason why as well. Have not yet seen the movie, but I couldn't finish the book. Hard nope.
Yes I agree. I loved movie so much more. I didnt even feel like it was the same story it is so different. A book was a little weird, story was plain I really didnt like it.
I feel validated. I made it almost halfway and ditched it for the reasons mentioned here. I really wanted to enjoy this one.
Great, I liked the movie so much that I was tempted to read the book too, but given your review, not!
Agree. It was excruciating to get through this book.
I'm on page 66. You nailed it. It's a DNF for me.
