The Magician's Assistant - Ann Patchett

The Magician's Assistant

ByAnn Patchett

  • Release Date: 2004-09-17
  • Genre: Family Fiction & Literature
Score: 4
4
From 203 Ratings

Description

From the bestselling author of The Dutch House, a secretive magician’s death becomes the catalyst for his partner’s journey of self-discovery in this “enchanting” book (San Francisco Chronicle) “that is something of a magic trick in itself.” (Newsweek)

When Parsifal, a handsome and charming magician, dies suddenly, his widow Sabine—who was also his faithful assistant for twenty years—learns that the family he claimed to have lost in a tragic accident is very much alive and well. Sabine is left to unravel his secrets, and the journey she takes, from sunny Los Angeles to the bitter windswept plains of Nebraska, will work its own magic on her.

Sabine's extraordinary tale, “with its big dreams, vast spaces, and disparate realities lying side by side” captures the hearts of its readers and “proves to be the perfect place for miraculous transformations.” (The New Yorker)

Reviews

  • A total surprise

    5
    By sleepyonkauai
    What a wonderful story of discovery this is. Sabine, the assistant, learns the true history of her husband, the magician’s, family. That truth is the basis of the best trick of all, learning who she truly is.

  • Another great Ann Patchett read

    2
    By JDurham5058
    This is an earlier Patchett book, one I’d never heard of until recently. Such a beautiful read. The characters embody the far ends of character spectrum — extremely quirky on one end and morbidly mid-America-boring on the other. But people are never what they seem. Quirky may have started as someone entirely different, while mid-America-boring may have quite a lot going on beneath the surface. Ann Patchett is a genius at reading people, then creating characters with real, imperfect lives. She is also the master of detail. Particularly emotional detail. The smallest touch, glance, breath, movement expresses the character’s thoughts and emotions without using a word. In Ann Patchett’s literary works, words are almost redundant, limiting. It is the closing of an eye, the twitch of a finger, the holding of a breath that elegantly tells the story.

  • Found this one difficult

    3
    By VBguy1006
    I like her writing. This one I found confusing, long and very depressing. Finished it but barely. If I could do magic I would have made much of it disappear.

  • Over too soon

    4
    By terijune99
    I feel there’s way more to this tale than was told. So many unanswered questions and loose ends. I hope there’s a sequel.

More by Ann Patchett

About "The Magician's Assistant"

Explore The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett on eBooksStore by Arnlweb. Discover book details, reader ratings, reviews, release information, genres, and related digital books available through the iTunes Store.

This book is part of our growing collection of bestselling eBooks, popular digital reading materials, and trending author releases. Readers can explore similar books, discover new authors, and browse related genres including fiction, romance, mystery, fantasy, business, self-help, educational books, and more.

Our platform helps readers discover highly rated digital books optimized for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop devices. Browse fast-loading book pages, reader reviews, and popular recommendations from bestselling authors worldwide.

Why Readers Explore This Book

  • Detailed book information
  • Reader ratings and reviews
  • Popular author collections
  • Related digital books
  • Mobile-friendly reading discovery
  • Fast-loading book pages
  • Trending eBook recommendations

Popular Reading Categories

  • Fiction & Literature
  • Business & Finance
  • Romance & Drama
  • Mystery & Thriller
  • Fantasy & Adventure
  • Educational eBooks
  • Self-Help & Motivation