The Rules of Magic
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The Rules of Magic
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Narrated by:
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Marin Ireland
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Written by:
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Alice Hoffman
About this listen
From beloved author Alice Hoffman comes the spellbinding prequel to her best seller Practical Magic.
Find your magic.
For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1620, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man.
Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the '60s, when the whole world is about to change, 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. But when her children visit their aunt Isabelle in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Back in New York City, each begins a risky journey as they try to escape the family curse.
The Owens children cannot escape love even if they try, just as they cannot escape the pains of the human heart. The two beautiful sisters will grow up to be the revered and sometimes feared aunts in Practical Magic while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy. Thrilling and exquisite, real and fantastical, The Rules of Magic is a story about the power of love reminding us that the only remedy for being human is to be true to yourself.
©2017 Alice Hoffman (P)2017 Simon & SchusterYou may also enjoy...
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3 out of 5 stars
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 51
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Over five years in the writing, Alice Hoffman’s most ambitious and mesmerizing work ever, a triumph of imagination and research set in ancient Israel. The author of such iconic bestsellers as Illumination Night, Practical Magic, Fortune’s Daughter, and Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, Alice Hoffman is one of the most popular and memorable writers of her generation. Now, in The Dovekeepers, Hoffman delivers her most masterful work yet - one that draws on her passion for mythology, magic, and archaeology and her inimitable understanding of women.
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5 out of 5 stars
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- By Vonda on 2023-04-25
Written by: Alice Hoffman, and others
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The Probable Future
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- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 8
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 7
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Women of the Sparrow family have unusual gifts. Elinor can detect falsehood. Her daughter, Jenny, can see people's dreams when they sleep. Granddaughter Stella has a mental window to the future - a future that she might not want to see.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Engaging
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 9
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 9
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Story4 out of 5 stars 9
One June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her. The Scarlet Letter was written almost two hundred years earlier, but it seems to tell the story of Mia’s mother, Ivy, and their life inside the Community—an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden. But how could this be? How could Nathaniel Hawthorne have so perfectly captured the pain and loss that Mia carries inside her?
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1 out of 5 stars
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 28
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 23
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 23
The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders even in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers.
Generations of Waverleys tended this garden. Their history was in the soil. But so were their futures.
Together again in the house they grew up in, the Waverley sisters realize they must deal with their common legacy - if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom - or with each other.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Nice series of magic and drama/mysteries
- By Isabelle L on 2018-01-02
Written by: Sarah Addison Allen
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The Light We Lost
- Written by: Jill Santopolo
- Narrated by: Jill Santopolo
- Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 117
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 101
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Story4 out of 5 stars 100
He was the first person to inspire her, to move her, to truly understand her. Was he meant to be the last? Lucy is faced with a life-altering choice. But before she can make her decision, she must start her story - their story - at the very beginning. Lucy and Gabe meet as seniors at Columbia University on a day that changes both of their lives forever. Together, they decide they want their lives to mean something, to matter. When they meet again a year later, it seems fated - perhaps they'll find life's meaning in each other.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Annoying
- By TangoLimaCharlie on 2017-09-23
Written by: Jill Santopolo
-
Magic Lessons
- A Prequel to Practical Magic
- Written by: Alice Hoffman
- Narrated by: Sutton Foster
- Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 133
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 118
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 118
Where does the story of the Owens bloodline begin? With Maria Owens, in the 1600s, when she’s abandoned in a snowy field in rural England as a baby. Under the care of Hannah Owens, Maria learns about the “Nameless Arts". Hannah recognizes that Maria has a gift and she teaches the girl all she knows. It is here that she learns her first important lesson: Always love someone who will love you back.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Disappointing
- By Anna W on 2020-10-23
Written by: Alice Hoffman
-
The Dovekeepers
- A Novel
- Written by: Alice Hoffman, Heather Lind
- Narrated by: Aya Cash, Jessica Hecht, Tovah Feldshuh
- Length: 19 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 51
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 44
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 44
Over five years in the writing, Alice Hoffman’s most ambitious and mesmerizing work ever, a triumph of imagination and research set in ancient Israel. The author of such iconic bestsellers as Illumination Night, Practical Magic, Fortune’s Daughter, and Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, Alice Hoffman is one of the most popular and memorable writers of her generation. Now, in The Dovekeepers, Hoffman delivers her most masterful work yet - one that draws on her passion for mythology, magic, and archaeology and her inimitable understanding of women.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Hauntingly beautiful
- By Vonda on 2023-04-25
Written by: Alice Hoffman, and others
-
The Probable Future
- Written by: Alice Hoffman
- Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 7
Women of the Sparrow family have unusual gifts. Elinor can detect falsehood. Her daughter, Jenny, can see people's dreams when they sleep. Granddaughter Stella has a mental window to the future - a future that she might not want to see.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Engaging
- By Diana M on 2018-07-08
Written by: Alice Hoffman
-
The Invisible Hour
- A Novel
- Written by: Alice Hoffman
- Narrated by: Jessie Mueller
- Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 9
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 9
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 9
One June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her. The Scarlet Letter was written almost two hundred years earlier, but it seems to tell the story of Mia’s mother, Ivy, and their life inside the Community—an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden. But how could this be? How could Nathaniel Hawthorne have so perfectly captured the pain and loss that Mia carries inside her?
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Disappointed
- By Rosie on 2023-12-05
Written by: Alice Hoffman
-
Garden Spells
- Written by: Sarah Addison Allen
- Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 28
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 23
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 23
The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders even in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers.
Generations of Waverleys tended this garden. Their history was in the soil. But so were their futures.
Together again in the house they grew up in, the Waverley sisters realize they must deal with their common legacy - if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom - or with each other.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Nice series of magic and drama/mysteries
- By Isabelle L on 2018-01-02
Written by: Sarah Addison Allen
-
The Light We Lost
- Written by: Jill Santopolo
- Narrated by: Jill Santopolo
- Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 117
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 101
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 100
He was the first person to inspire her, to move her, to truly understand her. Was he meant to be the last? Lucy is faced with a life-altering choice. But before she can make her decision, she must start her story - their story - at the very beginning. Lucy and Gabe meet as seniors at Columbia University on a day that changes both of their lives forever. Together, they decide they want their lives to mean something, to matter. When they meet again a year later, it seems fated - perhaps they'll find life's meaning in each other.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Annoying
- By TangoLimaCharlie on 2017-09-23
Written by: Jill Santopolo
What the critics say
"This audiobook, narrated by Marin Ireland, is an enchanting performance of a charming story.... Unlike some performers, Ireland doesn't focus on creating extremely distinct voices for each character; instead, she provides a perfect match for author Hoffman's creative style, which is warm and lyrical. Ireland speaks clearly, enunciating every word, and reads at a smooth pace." (AudioFile)
What listeners say about The Rules of Magic
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- K. Moore
- 2020-07-13
Odd but Interesting
It was very easy for me to listen to. The story was easy to follow. By the end I wished there was more. Even though I grew up watching the movie "Practical Magic" I will probably buy that Audiobook as well.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lola
- 2022-08-22
“Love More” ❤️
I savoured every moment of this story. The sisters devotion to one another and their love for their brother is palpable. The most important rule of magic: “love more.” Words to live by. Narration is beautifully done.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Beth
- 2018-09-19
Wow. That’s it, wow!
You know, I was a big fan of the movie Practical Magic. I’ve hesitated reading a prequel because everyone knows they are rarely good. I was recently in our local bookstore looking for inspiration on something new to listen to. The staff members pick their favourites reads and The Rules of Magic was presented as a staff recommendation.
What a good choice. I was hooked from the first five minutes. The story of the three Owens siblings had me entranced. Their relationships with each other and their struggles with being different their entire life touched something inside. I was completely part of their story and part of their world.
Take a chance, you will enjoy The Rules of Magic. Happy anniversary Audible.ca #Audible1
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Beth Toly
- 2020-04-17
Excellent
Excellent story! I enjoy Marin Ireland’s reading. I have listened to other books she has narrated. I am going to get the sequels to this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sashsquatches
- 2021-01-30
Loved every minute of this book.
I loved every minute listening to this book, I was sad when it was over. The person reading it did a great job, and pulled me into every character.
I will be listening to the other books in the series and checking out Alice Hoffman's other books.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2018-09-13
Incredible
I was always a fan of the movie Practical Magic, and had no idea it was based on a book series. This book, the background story of the two aunts, was so captivating. It made my morning commutes bearable. In fact - some days, I WISHED for more traffic so I could listen longer ;) #Audible1
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- TiV
- 2020-09-30
Very good
I don't often read fiction books but Practical Magic was an old favorite movie and someone recommended this book to me.
I really enjoyed the story and the narrator.
Nice easy listening that was entertaining and heartwarming.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Theresa S.
- 2018-09-15
Growing up, Magic & Cursed in Love?
I enjoyed this story of 3 siblings & the story of how they grew up during the 1950s to the 1970s with some magical twists. This is a prequel to the book "Practical Magic" and it tells the stories of the aunts & their brother as they grew up.
The story asks if the Owens are really cursed when it comes to love & explores the theme of love, familial & romantic. I thought the narrator did a good job.
Although I found some of the characters decisions frustrating at times, I really enjoyed this story about the bonds of family, magic & love.
#Audible1
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2020-05-10
Sooo good!
If you've already read Practical Magic, or even if you haven't this is such a great read. Great character descriptions, great story, great ending!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jessica
- 2018-02-20
love the backstory!
Marin's voice was a pleasure to listen to! Was eagerly waiting for this prequel and was not disappointed. Hoffman brought so many things to light that I wish Practical Magic had touched on, in the movie as well as the book. But I get it wasn't about the aunts in that one. Honestly hope Hoffman writes another installment with the owens family, maybe Marie's story?
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