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The Magician's Assistant
by Ann Patchett

Published: 2004-09-17
Kindle Edition : 372 pages
9 members reading this now
27 clubs reading this now
16 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 4 members
Sabine—twenty years a magician's assistant to her handsome, charming husband—is suddenly a widow. In the wake of his death, she finds he has left a final trick; a false identity and a family allegedly lost in a tragic accident but now revealed as very much alive and well. Named as ...
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Introduction

Sabine—twenty years a magician's assistant to her handsome, charming husband—is suddenly a widow. In the wake of his death, she finds he has left a final trick; a false identity and a family allegedly lost in a tragic accident but now revealed as very much alive and well. Named as heirs in his will, they enter Sabine's life and set her on an adventure of unraveling his secrets, from sunny Los Angeles to the windswept plains of Nebraska, that will work its own sort of magic on her.

Editorial Review

 The Magician's Assistant sustains author Ann Patchett's proven penchant for crafting colorful characters and marrying the ordinary with the fantastic. When Parsifal, Sabine's husband of more than 20 years and the magician of the title, suddenly dies, she begins to discover how she's glimpsed him only through smoke and mirrors. He has managed to keep hidden the existence of a family in Nebraska--his mother, two sisters, and two nephews. Sabine approaches them hungrily, as if they are a bridge to her beloved husband and a key to the mysteries he left behind.

Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Do you think Parsifal should have stayed away from his family?
Did you appreciate the love that Sabine had for Parsifal that wasn't returned in the same way?
by abbeyonekanobe (see profile) 01/14/11

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 4 members.

Member Reviews
Overall rating:
 
 
by Jen C. (see profile) 08/02/19

 
by janice m. (see profile) 01/08/19

I enjoyed the story, snowy Alliance reminded me of small town SK.... but at the same time I felt like was waiting for something more to happen. Whomp whomp....

 
  "Perspectives on love and relationships"by Holly S. (see profile) 09/21/16

Our group generally enjoyed this book, with most ratings between 3-4. We had some different takes on the various relationships in the book, and had a nice discussion about the different forms that love... (read more)

 
by Monique M. (see profile) 08/17/14

 
  "The Magicians Assistant"by christine m. (see profile) 01/14/11

 
  "Magician's Assistant"by Bonnie L. (see profile) 01/14/11

I loved the way the family and Sabine came to love each other so much. It is a beautiful book about lost love and new found peace.

 
  "Good book, beautiful sentences, great imagery, well written story"by Cathy P. (see profile) 03/30/10

 
  "A Bit Wordy"by SueDee M. (see profile) 09/07/08

This was an "enchanting" book but way too long and wordy.

 
  "Great read!"by Jennifer D. (see profile) 07/21/08

A magician's assistant finds out her magician's secrets after his death. Full of unexpected plot points. A great read by Ann Patchett.

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