Practical Magic, the film directed by Griffin Dunne and based on Alice Hoffman's novel, was probably one of the most influential pieces of fiction in my young life. I was eight years old when the movie came out, and like many young girls at the time, I was enraptured by the concept of magic and witchcraft. The idea that I, like Sally and Gillian Owens, could effect the world around me in small but profound ways despite the fact that I was young and inconsequential moved me deeply. It wasn't even really about the magic -- it was about the underdog possessing the power to control their own lives, about finding the people with whom you belong even on the fringes of society, about the sacredness of femininity and the finding of the Divine in the world around you. With the film having had such a profound effect on me, it was not likely that the book could live up to the hype.

It has been many, many years since I read Alice Hoffman's novel Practical Magic but I remember feeling quite disappointed with it. I felt like it lacked the magic, but when I saw that Alice Hoffman had written a prequel focusing on everyone's favorite aunts, I knew that no matter my impression of her writing beforehand, I would have to read this.

The Rules of Magic tells the story of Franny and Jet Owens, and their brother Vincent. Although remarkably different from one another, the siblings each possess a unique magic of their own that defines their world. Despite the wishes of their mother, Susanna, the siblings all discover their witchy roots in small town Massachusetts, growing into their power as they grow into adulthood. Unfortunately for the Owens siblings, with their magic comes a curse upon anyone who ever dares to loves an Owens.

Franny, Jet, and Vincent are very well written characters, though I can't help but to feel that poor Vincent is woefully inadequate in comparison to the girls. It can't be helped, though, because Franny and Jet are icons. Does Vincent have Midnight Margaritas? No. Who can compete with that?

My favorite thing about this novel is the infusion of magic and superstition in every page. The hidden meanings of every herb, every color, every seemingly innocuous occurrence was just what I needed to disrupt the humdrum of my sadly magicless life. The infusion of magic and meaning into everyday life thrilled me. To give power to fallen brooms and backyard gardens and spilled salt just allows the reader to live for ever so brief a time in a world that holds within it magic at all times. It is an incredibly uplifting story, and with how much I loved this novel I think it might be time to revisit Practical Magic