Librarian’s corner: Author Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman display at the Manchester District Library.

The Manchester District Library will be highlighting a different author or topic each week. 

by Amelia Herron, Manchester District Library

“My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue?”

— Practical Magic

Well, Alice Hoffman took her own advice: despite still being in college, Alice Hoffman wrote her first novel, Property Of. What is especially noteworthy is that she was only 21 at the time. Over the years, she’s published a combined 41 books and short stories, including 27 novels, eight young adult novels, three children’s books, one middle grade book, one short story, and one nonfiction novel. No matter whether you’re young or old, Alice Hoffman has a book that fits your reading level.

Several of her books have been turned into movies, including her most famous book, Practical Magic, which now has a prequel, The Rules of Magic. Her genres of writing are magical realism (usually described as fantasy) and historical fiction. Often, the themes of her novels center around sisterhood, family, and independence. Her books, while fun to read on your own, are also often found on college reading lists, and “Must Read” lists around the country. Her success and popularity has made it so her books have been translated into over 100 languages

Her most popular novel, Practical Magic, centers around two sisters, Gillian and Sally. The two sisters were said to be witches, and were thus taunted by the people of their Massachusetts town. The two take different paths to escape their family’s history, but their sisterly bond brings them back together, almost as if by magic.

If Practical Magic doesn’t strike your fancy, another intriguing book by Alice Hoffman is Illumination Night. This book combines both the modern time and magical qualities in that perfect Alice Hoffman way. The book itself is about a giant, an old woman, a family, and a young high school girl, and how they all are brought together to help each other find their way.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.