The Book of Magic

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How would you compare and contrast The Book of Magic with Practical Magic and/or The Rules of Magic?

2. What were your favorite and least favorite parts of the book?

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

1. Have you ever become involved with the wrong man, like Kylie does in the novel? Are her actions relatable?

2. Which character did you relate to the most, and why?

3. How would you compare your understanding of magic with the way Hoffman presents it?

4. The Power of Books is a central theme in the novel. Do you believe that books are powerful? How would you compare and contrast your belief with how the novel presents the power of books?

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

1. How does Hoffman use historical grimoires in The Book of Magic? How do her fictional grimoires compare to real-life ones?

2. How would you compare and contrast the novel’s fictional libraries with real-life libraries?

3. How does the novel comment on sexism, especially as it relates to books and witches in the real world?

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

1. How does the symbolism of water change over the course of the novel? How would you compare this with her development of the symbolism of the color red in the novel?

2. How does the novel use the two parallel settings of Essex County in the US and England to reflect parallel character development?

3. How does the theme of Bloodline Magic Versus Learned Magic function in the development of Sally’s character?

4. How do the different generations of witches mirror and become foils for one another? How would you compare and contrast the relationships between the pairs of sisters in the three generations?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. What songs would you choose for playlists for the different Owens witches?

2. If this book were adapted into a film, who would you cast as Kylie and Antonia?