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Incantation
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
23 posts | 27 read | 16 to read
Estrella is a Marrano: During the time of the Spanish Inquisition, she is one of a community of Spanish Jews living double lives as Catholics. And she is living in a house of secrets, raised by a family who practices underground the ancient and mysterious way of wisdom known as kabbalah. When Estrella discovers her family's true identity--and her family's secrets are made public--she confronts a world she's never imagined, where new love burns and where friendship ends in flame and ash, where trust is all but vanquished and betrayal has tragic and bitter consequences. Infused with the rich context of history and faith, in her most profoundly moving work to date, Alice Hoffman's first historical novel is a transcendent journey of discovery and loss, rebirth and remembrance.
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TLuvs
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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I want to tackle the Practical Magic series so a taste of Alice Hoffman is where I'll begin.

4 likes1 stack add
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TheReadingRaccoon
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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Pickpick

Beautifully written but tragic story of a family keeping their faith secret during the Spanish Inquisition and a young girl betrayed by someone she loved. There are so many thought provoking quotes in this that I need to highlight in my kindle.

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Eggs
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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“I thought I knew the world. I thought I knew myself. I thought I knew my dearest friend. But I knew nothing at all.” Estrella de Madrigale, Spain 1500. A beautifully written YA novel set in 16th century during the Spanish Inquisition 😞

#authoramonth2021 @Soubhiville

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks #doublespin

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
66 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Simona
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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#weeklyforecast Two books for reading challenge, and two books just because. We have incredible beautiful weather, perfect for hikes, so this could be also my next week forecast 🤷🏻‍♀️

vivastory I haven't read any Banville yet. I've been meaning to 3y
rockpools Have a fab week, Simona! 3y
Simona @vivastory I have read only one his book … and it was okeyish 3y
Simona @rockpools A little late, but … nice weekend to you too 😘 3y
35 likes4 comments
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rather_be_reading
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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41 likes1 stack add
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Manoshgirl51
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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Another book I have read before and still enjoyed years later. The story is similar to the recent events in our history so it felt appropriate to read this. My best friend and I read this together and she loved the story so much as well. This story leaves an impact that you will never forget.

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peacegypsy
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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Another perspective on Jewish persecution. Nicely done.

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Ladygodiva7
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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More Alice Hoffman 🙌🏻 #alicehoffman

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Brooke_H
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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A very short novel about the Spanish Inquisition. Stop quoting Monty Python and Mel Brooks right now. This book is. Not. Funny. It is, however, beautiful and so sad. It's incredible how much Hoffman can pack into such a tiny book. I learned so much about the Spanish Inquisition. I didn't realize how little I knew. Loved it.

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Brooke_H
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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I forgot I had a signed copy of this! Just picked it up to read it for the first time.

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monalyisha
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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Don't have a lot of time but want to bawl your eyes out? Read "Incantation"!

At just over 150 pages, this historical fiction novel about Jewish persecution in Spain in the early 1500s packs a punch right to your heart! ??

Warning: might ruin "Monty Python" for you. Not sure if I'll be able to laugh at "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition" ever again. ?

I wish the book were longer. I prefer *more* of Hoffman's glowing prose, not less.

monalyisha Note: While I did enjoy it, this isn't my favorite book by Alice Hoffman. It's often catalogued as YA and while it could just as easily be adult, you *can* kind of tell. While still layered & lyrical, I thought it was much more bare bones than her adult novels tend to be. 7y
HiddenGemBooks @Tanzy13 bunny and crying my eyes lit? Just another day for me! 😅 7y
Tanzy13 @HiddenGemBooks thats why I thought you would like it 😂😅 7y
22 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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monalyisha
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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From a Q & A at the end of the novel:

Hoffman: "I do imagine Estrella's life after the close of the novel...but I always believe fiction is interactive and that it's up to the reader to decide the ultimate fate of the characters. That's the joy of reading fiction: when all is said and done, the novel belongs to the reader and his or her imagination. "

#respect

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monalyisha
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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"I began to understand that the deeper you looked inside yourself, the more you saw what was infinite and eternal."

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monalyisha
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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"We all grieve alone."

Agree or disagree?

13 likes1 comment
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monalyisha
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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Hoffman named one of her characters "Abra," a name I'd never heard, & now I'm slightly obsessed. It's the feminine form of Abraham, & it sounds magical, like the beginning of "Abracadabra." Surprisingly, popular opinion is against it, saying that spliced, it's literally "A bra." So what? Bras are girly, they support women, & you can only have one if you're mature -- which any haters obviously are not. #abraforpresident #imwithabra #futuredaughter

Reecaspieces 😂😂😂 7y
monalyisha OMG. If my name was Abra, and it was 2001, my screen name would be "Burning Feminist." 7y
Kangaj1 It's also a name in 7y
monalyisha @Kangaj1 Crazily enough, I've never read any Steinbeck! I don't know how I made it through high school (& an English major in college) without having been assigned any of his books, but I did! 😱 (edited) 7y
Kangaj1 I am reading this one right now with @ReadingEnvy and am loving it! 7y
21 likes5 comments
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monalyisha
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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"When I looked at my friend, I saw not only the child she'd been & the girl that she was, but also, the woman she was about to be... She knew who I was deep inside: I could be lazy sometimes; I believed in true love; I was headstrong & loyal, a friend to the end."

This is me & Celia. Our moms hooked us up on a friend-date when we were 9 (we played checkers; she kicked my butt). We've been BFFs for over 20 years. Also, I'm a romantic sloth.

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monalyisha
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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CocoReads
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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#onewordtitle a mix of owned and library books for this one. #riotgrams

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megnews
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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Mommamanzi You're incredible! 8y
17 likes2 comments
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Exlibrisbitsy
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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Pickpick

What an amazing, spare, haunting book! Estrella is a young teen growing up at the start of the Spanish Inquisition. Secrets, betrayal, young love, and great evil combine to tell a beautiful story of strength amid hate and intolerance. A very timely read.

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megnews
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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Best opening paragraphs I've read in awhile.

I've been in a bit of a reading slump the last few days with a lot on my mind about work. Thinking "Incantation" will draw me in and pull me out.

#readingslump
#bestbeginning
#readingescape

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Foragingfantasy
Incantation | Alice Hoffman
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Happy Halloween Witches!

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