Alice Hoffman, a prolific author known for novels such as "The Dovekeepers" and "Practical Magic," has embarked on a new academic journey after decades in the publishing world. In the fall of 2023, Hoffman enrolled in Harvard Divinity School’s Master of Religion and Public Life program, a one-year graduate degree designed to explore the influence of religion on public and professional spheres. The program, which admits between 10 and 20 students each year, attracts a diverse group of participants, including nonprofit leaders and political strategists.

Based in Cambridge, Hoffman has long been passionate about writing but recently found herself disillusioned with the commercial aspects of publishing. Her time at Harvard, she said, reignited her focus on the deeper questions that have always inspired her work. One unique assignment involved writing about a historical figure with whom she fundamentally disagreed. Hoffman chose Increase Mather, Harvard’s president during the late 17th century and a key figure associated with the Salem witch trials, whom she characterized as emblematic of the misogyny of his era.

This research led Hoffman to investigate the experiences of women at Radcliffe College in the 1950s, a period marked by exclusionary practices that she found surprising and striking. She likened this treatment to the historical persecution of women as witches. Motivated by these insights, Hoffman sought permission to express her academic work through poetry and fiction rather than traditional term papers, resulting in a creative engagement with themes of gender, history, and religion.

The outcome of Hoffman’s scholarship and creative exploration is her forthcoming novel, "The Witches of Cambridge," scheduled for release on September 8. Set in the 1950s, the story follows a secret women’s group at Harvard, the Lilith Society, weaving Hoffman’s critical perspective on colonialism and gender dynamics into a fictional narrative. The book’s central theme resonates with her previous work, emphasizing women's solidarity and empowerment.

"The Witches of Cambridge" has already attracted interest beyond the literary world, with Hulu developing it into a television series produced by Noah Hawley, known for his work on "Fargo."

Hoffman’s academic mentor, Professor Annette Yoshiko Reed, praised her engagement with Harvard’s archives and described Hoffman’s presence in the program as both humbling and inspiring. Reed, who specializes in the study of angels and demons, highlighted Hoffman’s deep dive into research alongside a creative reawakening that impressed both faculty and fellow students.

Meanwhile, Hoffman remains connected to her earlier work, attending the Los Angeles premiere of "Practical Magic 2," a sequel to the 1998 film adaptation of her novel. The new film reunites actresses Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, reprising their roles as witchy sisters alongside Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest. Hoffman revealed she visited the set and received a personal gift from Bullock, a sampler reminiscent of the aesthetic that helped make the original film’s Victorian setting iconic.

Hoffman sees her academic and creative endeavors as part of a broader effort to find meaningful ways to contribute to public discourse and culture, especially in the wake of recent societal challenges. Her experience at Harvard Divinity School appears to have opened new avenues for both reflection and artistic expression.