The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman | Review

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: October 10, 2017
Length: 384 pages
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{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

Siblings Franny, Jet and Vincent always knew they were a little different, and as Franny turns 17 they begin to learn just how different they really are.

From the Publisher

“…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.” 

The Draw

• I’ve had an up and down relationship with Alice Hoffman books, but one of my favorites, The Story Sisters, also involved sibling relationships, so that enticed me.
• Catherine @gilmoreguidetobooks loved this one.

{My Thoughts}

What Worked For Me

Sibling Bonds – I love a story that shines a light on sibling relationships in a realistic way, and The Rules of Magic does just that. I know what you’re thinking, “How realistic can a story about a family of witches be?” Good point, but putting the magic aside, Franny, Jet and Vincent might remind you of your own family. Each is odd in her or his own way, and that’s isolated them from real friendships, so they rely on each other. The three know and keep each other’s secrets. They worry about each other and try to keep their siblings safe. Like all siblings, there is also frustration and jealousy. At one point Jet makes a selfish wish against Franny that forever alters all of their lives. And, of course they all must live with the family curse and never fall in love.

Witch Lore – As always, Hoffman does a wonderful job building a story around magical elements. In ways big and small The Rules of Magic transports the reader into another world as we see Franny, Jet and Vincent fully realize and then grow comfortable living with who they are. Throughout the story the three evolve from rebellious teens to odd adults trying to make the best of life under the family curse.

“Beware of love, Maria Owens had written on the first page of her journal. Know that for our family, love is a curse….The curse was simple: Ruination for any man who fell in love with them.”

This curse on love is at the heart of Hoffman’s latest book, but it’s also heavily sprinkled with fun bits of witch lore. The three “familiars,” a crow, a cat and a dog, each dedicated to one of the siblings were my favorite of these elements.

Context in History – Hoffman started The Rules of Magic in 1960 and used that era beautifully as the backdrop for her story. Kennedy’s assassination, the Vietnam War, homophobia, and the draft lottery all figured into her story. This “witch/magic” story was also a history lesson as Franny, Jet, and Vincent made their way in the same world, with many of the same problems as everyone else.

What Didn’t

Love As A Theme – Love in the lives of Franny, Jet and Vincent was the central theme for this story and yet, only one of their love stories really worked for me. The other two seemed too flawed and overly dramatic for my taste. I thought Hoffman’s resolution of the story’s major crisis was appropriate at its onset, but in the long run felt out of the realm of what might truly have happened. (Trying not to give anything away here!)

Worker a Little Too Hard – The Rules of Magic is a prequel to one of Hoffman’s earlier books, Practical Magic, which was also made into a much-loved movie. I think the story would have been stronger had Hoffman not put that restraint on herself. The elements I felt were weakest were those most closely related to driving this book back to the beginning of Practical Magic. The book stands alone and might have been resolved differently without that limitation

{The Final Assessment}

For me, The Rules of Magic was a breath of fresh air. The story was light and the characters both fun and likable. The magical elements were really just a backdrop to a story about a family, two sisters and their brother. Trying together to find their paths in life, living with and without love, and supporting each other along the way. If you’re looking for something a little different The Rules of Magic will deliver a welcome change of pace! Grade: B

If you liked this book you might also enjoy:

• The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman – another magical Hoffman story, this one set in the 1910’s and involves a young woman who’s grown up as part of a Coney Island freak show.
• All Grown Up by Jami Attenberg – No magic here, but Attenberg’s story also takes place in NYC and follows a not so young woman as she navigates finally growing up and understanding her own family. (my review)
• Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett – In this another quirky family must navigate through life after a terrible tragedy robs leaves them without the one they need most. (my review)

Disclosure: There are Amazon Associate links included within this post.