Alice Hoffman, author of the acclaimed novel "Practical Magic," has returned to the theme of female empowerment and friendship with her latest work, "The Witches of Cambridge," released last week. The novel, set against the dual backdrops of 1950s America and Puritan New England, marks a continuation of Hoffman’s longstanding exploration of witchcraft, magic, and the outsider experience that has defined much of her literary career.

Hoffman, 74, first gained widespread recognition more than three decades ago with "Practical Magic," a story centered on the Owens sisters—Sally and Gillian—and their witchcraft heritage. The narrative delves into themes of grief, betrayal, love, and community through the lens of female relationships within a family cursed such that any man who falls in love with an Owens woman dies. Although the 1998 film adaptation initially struggled at the box office, it eventually achieved cult status, credited by Hoffman to its depiction of a supportive female coven and its resonance with audiences nostalgic for the 1990s era.

The success of the original novel and its 1998 film adaptation, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, paved the way for a sequel film released this past Friday, along with several follow-up books by Hoffman, including "The Rules of Magic" (2017) and "Magic Lessons" (2020). These works further explore interconnected magical families and themes of identity and belonging.

Hoffman spoke in a recent interview in Cambridge, Massachusetts, reflecting on her own life, which has had its share of challenges and transformations. She linked her writing about witches and outsiders to her personal feelings of alienation, particularly growing up in a nonconventional family during the 1950s. Hoffman noted that she initially did not realize the extent to which the motif of witchcraft was autobiographical, but over time it became a defining feature of her storytelling.

Her new novel, "The Witches of Cambridge," originated as a term paper written while she attended Harvard Divinity School, from which she graduated in 2024. The book weaves together the historical figure Increase Mather—an early president of Harvard and a key figure in the Salem witch trials—with the fictional story of two friends at Radcliffe College. Set during the politically fraught 1950s, the novel explores themes of female friendship, power, and fear amid the backdrop of McCarthyism.

Hoffman’s approach to the narrative involved extensive research in women’s history archives and historic sites, deepening her engagement with the intersections of magic, science, and religion. She described these realms as different yet closely related aspects of understanding the world, highlighting her belief that magic is an inherent part of everyday life.

Over her career, Hoffman has written more than 30 novels, characterized by their blend of magical realism and emotional truth. Her editor, Maryse Rucci, praised Hoffman’s productivity and ability to create richly imagined worlds inspired by historical moments without becoming didactic.

With “The Witches of Cambridge,” Hoffman shifts her focus from sisterhood to friendship, emphasizing how friendships often function as chosen families, a dynamic she sees as increasingly relevant. As the novel launches a new series, it continues Hoffman’s exploration of the enduring power and complexity of female relationships, set within a unique historical context.