Magic Lessons

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. As a prequel, Magic Lessons tells a story whose tragic outcome is already known to readers of Alice Hoffman’s other books in the Practical Magic series. How did this foreknowledge shape your experience of Maria’s story? 

2. What aspect of the story did you find the most compelling, and why?

3. What was your emotional takeaway from Maria’s long and often difficult journey? Did you find the ending to be more a story of triumph and resilience or one overshadowed by the suffering and loss that came before it?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Hannah’s first rule for Maria is “Always love someone who will love you back” (12). Is there a piece of advice or wisdom that has proven to be a guiding principle in your life?

2. Maria has two very different maternal figures—Hannah and Rebecca. Are there maternal figures in your life that have informed your view of the world?

3. The novel explores the desire for revenge through both Maria’s curse and Faith’s pursuit of her father. Have you ever felt that pull between wanting justice and the need to move forward? 

4. Faith’s captor, Martha, attempts to erase her identity by dying her hair and forcing her to wear iron bracelets to suppress her magic. Can you recall a time when you felt you had to hide or downplay a part of yourself to meet someone else’s expectations?

5. Throughout the book, Maria must build a home and a community for herself in entirely new and often hostile places. Have you ever had an experience of starting over and finding your place in a new environment?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel uses the 17th-century witch hunts to explore the theme of patriarchal oppression, where women’s knowledge, independence, and literacy were seen as direct threats. In what ways do you see these same anxieties about powerful or independent women playing out in society today?

2. The story connects the persecution of women accused of witchcraft with the persecution of Sephardic Jews, as seen through Samuel’s family history. What do you think the novel is saying about how societies create and target marginalized communities, especially during periods of widespread fear and uncertainty?

3. The novel argues that literacy and the written word are themselves forms of power, and books like the Grimoire and even the ability to read were seen as dangerous. Where in the modern world might we see access to information or education being treated as a threat to established power structures?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The magical books in the story, Maria’s Grimoire and The Book of the Raven, represent two very different approaches to magic. What does the contrast between these two texts say about the novel’s exploration of power, knowledge, and morality?

2. What do you think is the novel’s central argument about the tension between fate and free will? What rhetorical devices or literary techniques does Hoffman use to explore this idea?

3. Are Samuel and Hathorne foils for each other? What different ideas about masculinity, integrity, and love does each character represent in the story?

4. How did Hoffman’s focus on the personal lives and magical traditions of the Owens women offer you a different perspective on the historical reality of the Salem Witch Trials compared to other literary depictions, such as Arthur Miller’s The Crucible?

5. How does the subtle motif of the color blue contribute to the novel’s central themes?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Add a fourth rule to the Owens family Grimoire, based specifically on the lessons that Faith learns throughout her journey. What would that rule be, and why is it essential for future generations of the family?

2. If you were to create a modern-day talisman to represent the core spirit of an Owens woman, what would it be? Would you design a piece of jewelry, a playlist of songs, or something else entirely, and what aspects of their character would it symbolize?

3. Imagine that you’re the casting director for a film adaptation of Magic Lessons. Which actors do you envision playing Maria, Samuel, and Faith? What specific qualities would make them perfect for bringing these complex characters to life on screen?