Play Book Tag discussion

I really enjoy Alice Hoffman's writing. I was afraid I might not like the book as much as I liked the movie (based on other reviews) but I think I liked it just as much, for different reasons. The magic in the movie is more delightful and fantastical, but I liked the extra material in the book, especially about the daughters. There was more depth in the characters and relationships. I appreciated the relationship dynamics between both sets of sisters. I'm also very close in age to my sister, which made us very close growing up, but our differences created a lot of strain over the years. The book is more realistic in tone than the film, but I was able to recall the funny moments (and the scary ones) from the film as I was reading, so this reading had a wonderful balance to it.

Wonderful Nancy! You know I love this author! I am PM'ing you right now because you seem to be on. I'd love your expertise on Poll Ballot Tally.

I am reading The Rules of Magic right now. I loved Practical Magic and knew this had the same characters but I wasn't sure how it fit in because its not listed as #1 or #2 of the series. Now I find out its actually a prequel and I'm loving it. Like Amy, she's one of my favorite authors. I think I might have to re-read Practical Magic or get the movie to refresh my memory about Jet and Frances.

Amy wrote: "Wonderful Nancy! You know I love this author! I am PM'ing you right now because you seem to be on. I'd love your expertise on Poll Ballot Tally."

https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

Barbara M wrote: "I am reading The Rules of Magic right now. I loved Practical Magic and knew this had the same characters but I wasn't sure how it fit in because its not listed as #1 or #2 of the series. Now I find..."

The book PM doesn't show much of their personalities. Until the end, they're just The Aunts. At the end Frances seems like more of a romantic, and Jet tries to be more severed.

I liked Rules of Magic too, but I don't remember many details. Is part of it set in Central Park?

My library has the new book on order. A prequel to the prequel, focusing on the first Owens woman.

NancyJ wrote: "My library has the new book on order. A prequel to the prequel, focusing on the first Owens woman...."

Isn't she funny, writing series backwards! I watched the movie from PM last night. I had seen it before but it was good to see again, reminded me of how the book went. I liked all the actresses, etc. but didn't feel that the movie did the book justice. As usual!

Barbara M wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "My library has the new book on order. A prequel to the prequel, focusing on the first Owens woman...."

Isn't she funny, writing series backwards! I watched the movie from PM last ni..."

The ending in the movie added a fun scene (the witches circle with women from the town) that wasn't in the book, so I was a tiny bit disappointed that it wasn't in the book. But the book had another character and plot that was more important. So overall I liked them both for different reasons. The movie also added in a magical scene with a childhood wish (about her future husband), which was sweet but a little cheesy.

NancyJ wrote: "The ending in the movie added a fun scene (the witches circle with women from the town) that wasn't in the book...."


Since I just watched the movie (again) but haven't read the book in ages, I didn't notice that difference but I sure noticed the change in setting. How and why they took the setting out of Massachusetts I don't understand.

I've read both Practical Magic and Rules of Magic. I prefer PM, but I may have to read it again since it's been so long. I'll be on the lookout for the new book on Amazon. Thanks for the heads up.

There is a giveaway for the new book too.