Listen free for 30 days

  • Magic Lessons

  • A Prequel to Practical Magic
  • Written by: Alice Hoffman
  • Narrated by: Sutton Foster
  • Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (131 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Magic Lessons cover art

Magic Lessons

Written by: Alice Hoffman
Narrated by: Sutton Foster
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $29.60

Buy Now for $29.60

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

In this “bewitching” (The New York Times Book Review) novel that traces a centuries-old curse to its source, beloved author Alice Hoffman unveils the story of Maria Owens, accused of witchcraft in Salem, and matriarch of a line of the amazing Owens women and men featured in Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic.

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.

When Maria is abandoned by the man who has declared his love for her, she follows him to Salem, Massachusetts. Here she invokes the curse that will haunt her family. And it’s here that she learns the rules of magic and the lesson that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. Love is the only thing that matters.

Magic Lessons is a “heartbreaking and heart-healing” (BookPage) celebration of life and love and a showcase of Alice Hoffman’s masterful storytelling.

©2020 Alice Hoffman, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2020 Simon & Schuster. All rights reserved.

What listeners say about Magic Lessons

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    105
  • 4 Stars
    16
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    94
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    95
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I had high hopes for this book. Alas, I was disappointed. For parts of the book it felt like the author was just spilling out what she learned about folk remedies so that there were endless lists of ingredients with a weak plot woven between.

The narration was flat. Had to listen for short periods of time as a result

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story telling

This book was enchanting and I think I’ll be listening to it again. My favourite so far out of the series. But that’s probably because I am enchanted by stories from this time. Alice Hoffman is a wonderful writer and I’m going to start the next book in series right away!
The performance was good as well. I felt comforted listening to this story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

These books are truly magical

I love these books so much - the imagery, the plants, the relationships and the characters. So wonderful to be immersed in. Highly recommend any in the series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

So good! Sad for it to come to an end. Great story and great narration.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Practically Magic

I enjoyed the weaving of history into this fiction. The narrator had a clear powerful voice that communicated this story perfectly.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

I have always loved practical magic, it’s a beautiful extension of a story I already love. Sutton Foster is an amazing narrator can’t wait to listen to the entire series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

I was engaged throughout the whole story. The narrator was excellent and all the recipes and magic was so fun to listen to. I have never seen the movie or read Practical Magic but now I’m just so thrilled there is a whole series to get into and a movie to check out when it’s all done. Was definitely worth the credit, will definitely be continuing with this series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

wonderful read

what a beautiful story. it was truly beautifully written and I enjoyed every second of it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Captivating

I enjoyed this story a lot. There was one section that was not well explained and left me asking some questions but it didn’t ruin the overall book for me. Performance wise, the narrator was flawless.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved iy

Never knew this was a series. so happy to find this out. I loved this book so much. starting the next one right away.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!