Part I, Chapters 7 - 14

[JSS]

All the characters work for me and that's not to say they have to work for everyone. We all have a different experiential base from which we draw. In my case, I have a daughter about Connie's age who has many similar personality traits. Connie is still searching for who she is. She may be a grad student but she's a freshman in the school of life. She trusts everyone in academia because no one she's known in her academic experience has taken advantage of her to any major degree. Many young folks who have spent the vast majority of their lives studying put their professors and teachers up on pedestals as icons. Just like in real life, until an icon becomes a failure right before your eyes, it is tough to see their faults even if everyone else does.

As evidenced by some of the unusual things that have happened to her while researching the receipt book, a whole new world is about to be revealed to her. This is a beautiful contrivance by the author which keeps me interested every page just trying to see how she will weave the threads of this stoty together. At this point in the story, I think Connie is just on the verge of understanding her personal connectionto her research. I've nothing to base that on as I have not read further than the schedule but it seems to me that the author has layed the groundwork for us to suspect a connection will be revealed somewhere in Part II. 

As far as the story slwoing down when Sam walks in and out of the story, I personally like the change of pace. It's just another way for us to watch Connie attempt to grow as an individual. She struggles in different ways with each growth opportunity with which she is presented. She's spent so much time studying in the recent years that she has not really ever been in a position where she let her heart get in the way of her academic pursuits. I give our author kudos for changing it up some and making us see Connie as a maturing young lady from a variety of angles.

[JerseyAngel]

My feelings have not changed for Chilton at all. I think it's safe to say that nobody likes him. What Janine reveals to Connie about his last conference & the embarrasment he brought upon himself sounds very out of character. The obvious thought is that he wants her to find this book to save his own reputation by taking the credit. For some reason, the author doesn't seem like she would go with the obvious. I think there's more to it, something we are missing. Not anything so obvious as stealing work or him being a witch himself. I'm very interested to see where this part of the story takes us.

Stephanie

[aprilh]

At the end of Chapter 13, we learn that although Prudence sold the receipt book, her family still follows the pattern of wives not only outliving their husbands, but also having their husbands die in "violent, wretched accidents". Josiah is said to have died in "some kind of accident at the docks". On page 183, before selling the receipt book, Prudence imagines "the frayed snap of a rope giving way, the rumbling of heavy wooden casks slipping their binds, bouncing down the gangplank toward the frightened form of her husband", making me wonder if her vision was just a figment of her imagination or if that turned out to be the way Josiah dies. Obviously selling the book did not help remove the curse from this family.

[ponie]

---

JSS wrote:

All the characters work for me and that's not to say they have to work for everyone. We all have a different experiential base from which we draw. In my case, I have a daughter about Connie's age who has many similar personality traits. Connie is still searching for who she is. She may be a grad student but she's a freshman in the school of life. She trusts everyone in academia because no one she's known in her academic experience has taken advantage of her to any major degree. Many young folks who have spent the vast majority of their lives studying put their professors and teachers up on pedestals as icons. Just like in real life, until an icon becomes a failure right before your eyes, it is tough to see their faults even if everyone else does.

As evidenced by some of the unusual things that have happened to her while researching the receipt book, a whole new world is about to be revealed to her. This is a beautiful contrivance by the author which keeps me interested every page just trying to see how she will weave the threads of this stoty together. At this point in the story, I think Connie is just on the verge of understanding her personal connectionto her research. I've nothing to base that on as I have not read further than the schedule but it seems to me that the author has layed the groundwork for us to suspect a connection will be revealed somewhere in Part II. 

As far as the story slwoing down when Sam walks in and out of the story, I personally like the change of pace. It's just another way for us to watch Connie attempt to grow as an individual. She struggles in different ways with each growth opportunity with which she is presented. She's spent so much time studying in the recent years that she has not really ever been in a position where she let her heart get in the way of her academic pursuits. I give our author kudos for changing it up some and making us see Connie as a maturing young lady from a variety of angles.

---

JSS, in response to the above bolded (I bolded it) part of your post...so true for (probably) many of us...especially if we are "older".

[Zeal]

Has anyone ever seen the movie, "Practical Magic?"  There are several scenes in which the "spell book" is used.  This is what I envision the "receipt book" to look like.  Throughout the movie, you are able to see the book in more detail.  It has pictures, recipes, clippings of plants, etc.  A friend just happened to give me this movie to watch, just as I finished the book.  There are several parallels between the book and the movie.  FYI:  The movie is based on the book by Alice Hoffman.  See picture below.

[aprilh]

I found it interesting on page 183 that Prudence was comtemplating what Mercy would say if she learned of the betrayal (Prudence selling the receipt book) and she mentions "Mercy was languid in her old age; she spent her afternoons puttering in the garden, needling Patty in the kitchen, napping under a tree with the dog." Assuming this is the same dog Deliverance had with her at the beginning of the book while trying to care for Martha Petford, I think it is safe for us to conclude that there is some sort of "magic" about this dog. If he were any normal dog, surely he would have passed away long ago considering Mercy was a young girl at the start of this novel. This makes it all the more reasonable to me that Arlo and dog are one and the same.

[ponie]

---

Zeal wrote:

Has anyone ever seen the movie, "Practical Magic?"  There are several scenes in which the "spell book" is used.  This is what I envision the "receipt book" to look like.  Throughout the movie, you are able to see the book in more detail.  It has pictures, recipes, clippings of plants, etc.  A friend just happened to give me this movie to watch, just as I finished the book.  There are several parallels between the book and the movie.  FYI:  The movie is based on the book by Alice Hoffman.  See picture below.

---

Great picture...just imagine Connie taking off the protective glove and touching the page.

(I think that has been mentioned.  I hope to Hackenesack and back that it is not a spoiler!)

Have not heard of the movie "Practical Magic" and before reading TPBODD would probably not think about watching a movie like that (like what???) but I will check it out.  Like I said elsewhere (yikes! I think all my threads are starting to unravel!!!) I tried to watch The Crucible last night but couldn't finish - too upsetting.  I did read the book The Crucible- all of it!

[Carmenere_lady]

I like this example Zeal.  Stains like that below would be very similar to those in DD's receipt book.  Books do tell a story in more ways than one, don't they

---

Zeal wrote:

Has anyone ever seen the movie, "Practical Magic?"  There are several scenes in which the "spell book" is used.  This is what I envision the "receipt book" to look like.  Throughout the movie, you are able to see the book in more detail.  It has pictures, recipes, clippings of plants, etc.  A friend just happened to give me this movie to watch, just as I finished the book.  There are several parallels between the book and the movie.  FYI:  The movie is based on the book by Alice Hoffman.  See picture below.

---

[DSaff]

nice - Thanks for posting this.  =)

---

Zeal wrote:

Has anyone ever seen the movie, "Practical Magic?"  There are several scenes in which the "spell book" is used.  This is what I envision the "receipt book" to look like.  Throughout the movie, you are able to see the book in more detail.  It has pictures, recipes, clippings of plants, etc.  A friend just happened to give me this movie to watch, just as I finished the book.  There are several parallels between the book and the movie.  FYI:  The movie is based on the book by Alice Hoffman.  See picture below.

---

[JerseyAngel]

---

ponie wrote:

Have not heard of the movie "Practical Magic" and before reading TPBODD would probably not think about watching a movie like that (like what???) but I will check it out.  Like I said elsewhere (yikes! I think all my threads are starting to unravel!!!) I tried to watch The Crucible last night but couldn't finish - too upsetting.  I did read the book The Crucible- all of it!

---

Practical Magic is a cute movie. A little more comedy. Not something I would really take as a serious movie on witches but entertaining. Here's a link for more information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120791/

[maude40]

After reading the phone conversation that Connie has with her mother in Chapter 12, pages 164-167 about Chilton, it seems that maybe Grace knows of Chilton and what he's up to. As at the end of the call ,she warns Connie, "I don't mean anything. Just tread lightly, my darling, that's all." If she does know him it will be interesting to know how she has this information. Yvonne

[maude40]

I agree with one poster,I can't remember who, that said that witchcraft seems to be  all around Connie and she just keeps ignoring it. When Connie went to Lilith's Garden the last time to get the meaning of the word Agla and the woman thought she should buy a charm to keep the house safe, Connie laughed it off. In the long run she maybe should have bought the charm. Yvonne

[maude40]

The very last part of Chapter 14--the recipe cards, the Latin writing, the bluish light, the pain Connie felt, and the dandelion--all very strange. Yvonne

[ponie]

---

JerseyAngel wrote:

---

ponie wrote:

Have not heard of the movie "Practical Magic" and before reading TPBODD would probably not think about watching a movie like that (like what???) but I will check it out.  Like I said elsewhere (yikes! I think all my threads are starting to unravel!!!) I tried to watch The Crucible last night but couldn't finish - too upsetting.  I did read the book The Crucible- all of it!

---

Practical Magic is a cute movie. A little more comedy. Not something I would really take as a serious movie on witches but entertaining. Here's a link for more information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120791/

---

Jersey Angel, thanks!  I just watched the trailer and it looks fun.  I really like Sandra Bullock so that's a draw as well. 

[Fond_of_Books]

I haven't read all of the previous posts. There are just too many so I'll just add my thoughts.

I'm really enjoying this book, and it is kind of surprising me. Chilton is definitely shady. He's up to something, but I don't know what exactly.

I like Sam's character because he is genuinely interested in Connie and her research, but he's also just a plain old nice guy. I still have a hard time picturing him with the grunge look even though that's how he was described.

The Interludes surprised me. At first I thought they would all be about Deliverance Dane and her being accused as a witch. I like thought that the interludes follow Connie's progress in her research. Prudence selling the book was definitely a twist. It was so interesting to see how each generation differed in their thoughts about the book and the whole situation. Mercy wanted her mother's name cleared and still cared about the book, but Prudence felt the book caused problems. The whole thing with the husbands dying in accidents was interesting. I wonder if there is something to it.

Then at the end of Part I Connie performs the spell accidentally. I was surprised. It never occurred to me that she would have magical powers. I wonder if Grace and Granna did too then. Grace seems the type that would embrace the powers and spells, but she never talked about it with Connie. Maybe it's part of the reason Grace left home as soon as she did and didn't see her mother much. I'm curious to see where this goes.

Somewhere there was some discussion on the accents and the spelling variations. I think the spelling variations we see in Prudence's diary make it feel old and authentic. I wonder though even though spelling variation were common, why the same person would spell the same word differently. Like staid and stay'd. Was that common at that time?

[cocospals]

Is the "receipt" book really a recipe book or is it a book showing monetary transactions for "spell work"?  I am still not sure if Connie understands Prudence, I am not sure I understand Prudence, she seems cold.

I also have not figured out Chilton. For a while I thought he was being a jerk to Connie, felt like he was pushing her to select Salem witch trials as her disertation topic but as the book goes on, I am beginning to doubt my first impression of him. He is "up to something".

As far as the symbol on the door, I think Chilton or someone close to him is behind it.

[liisa22]

---

Zeal wrote:

Has anyone ever seen the movie, "Practical Magic?"  There are several scenes in which the "spell book" is used.  This is what I envision the "receipt book" to look like.  Throughout the movie, you are able to see the book in more detail.  It has pictures, recipes, clippings of plants, etc.  A friend just happened to give me this movie to watch, just as I finished the book.  There are several parallels between the book and the movie.  FYI:  The movie is based on the book by Alice Hoffman.  See picture below.

___________________________________________________

 

Agreed- a cute movie  (as I am dancing around the table and singing " put the lime in the coconut... ) 

but I certainly liked the book better! As I usually do.

 

[PB684]

---

Zeal wrote:

Has anyone ever seen the movie, "Practical Magic?"  There are several scenes in which the "spell book" is used.  This is what I envision the "receipt book" to look like.  Throughout the movie, you are able to see the book in more detail.  It has pictures, recipes, clippings of plants, etc.  A friend just happened to give me this movie to watch, just as I finished the book.  There are several parallels between the book and the movie.  FYI:  The movie is based on the book by Alice Hoffman.  See picture below.

---

You're right Zeal, this was exactly what I thought of as well! Practical Magic is a favorite in our house, especially around Halloween

PB684

By the way, Alice Hoffman grew up in the same neighborhood as I did. We actually went to the same high school although at different times.

Message Edited by PB684 on 04-10-2009 07:52 PM

[Zeal]

---

ponie wrote:

---

Zeal wrote:

Has anyone ever seen the movie, "Practical Magic?"  There are several scenes in which the "spell book" is used.  This is what I envision the "receipt book" to look like.  Throughout the movie, you are able to see the book in more detail.  It has pictures, recipes, clippings of plants, etc.  A friend just happened to give me this movie to watch, just as I finished the book.  There are several parallels between the book and the movie.  FYI:  The movie is based on the book by Alice Hoffman.  See picture below.

---

Great picture...just imagine Connie taking off the protective glove and touching the page.

(I think that has been mentioned.  I hope to Hackenesack and back that it is not a spoiler!)

Have not heard of the movie "Practical Magic" and before reading TPBODD would probably not think about watching a movie like that (like what???) but I will check it out.  Like I said elsewhere (yikes! I think all my threads are starting to unravel!!!) I tried to watch The Crucible last night but couldn't finish - too upsetting.  I did read the book The Crucible- all of it!

---

Many posts have mentioned the cover of the book.  It reminds me of the cover of the "spell book."  It has that antique feel and look to it.  The extra flap also seems to add an extra protection of the material inside.  Could this have been on purpose?

[Zeal]

---

Carmenere_lady wrote:

I like this example Zeal.  Stains like that below would be very similar to those in DD's receipt book.  Books do tell a story in more ways than one, don't they

---

Zeal wrote:

Has anyone ever seen the movie, "Practical Magic?"  There are several scenes in which the "spell book" is used.  This is what I envision the "receipt book" to look like.  Throughout the movie, you are able to see the book in more detail.  It has pictures, recipes, clippings of plants, etc.  A friend just happened to give me this movie to watch, just as I finished the book.  There are several parallels between the book and the movie.  FYI:  The movie is based on the book by Alice Hoffman.  See picture below.

---

---

I totally agree with your thought that books tell a story in more ways than one...thank you!  I also think that Granna's house tells its story in more ways than one!