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The Magician's Assistant
The Magician's Assistant
Author: Ann Patchett
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 adventure she embarks upon, from sunny Los Angeles to the bitte...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780156006217
ISBN-10: 0156006219
Publication Date: 9/17/1998
Pages: 368
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 356

3.7 stars, based on 356 ratings
Publisher: Harvest Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

bookaddicted avatar reviewed The Magician's Assistant on + 131 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 14
After reading Patchett's novel "bel canto" I was hesitant to read another of her works but, the premise of this book sounded interesting so I decided to give it a try. I have to admit I liked this one. Her style brought just the right amount of weight to the depression the wife feels after her husband's death without making the mood gloomy. My only complaint is I felt let down by the ending. It felt unfinshed in some way.
reviewed The Magician's Assistant on + 275 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
I loved this book. The story and the characters just take you along on a crazy ride from LA to Nowhere in the midwest. You keep wondering how it will all turn out. At first, I did not like the author's ending, however, after a day, I realize that the ending is all part of the magic of the book. A great read!
reviewed The Magician's Assistant on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
I love how there are no villians in Ann Patchett's novels but the conflict is still very gripping. This novel was not as wonderful as Bel Canto, but still was a very enjoyable read.
reviewed The Magician's Assistant on + 69 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Lovely and sad with a perfectly magical ending.
reviewed The Magician's Assistant on
Helpful Score: 4
I liked Bel Canto, but everything else I've read by Patchett (including this) has been disappointing. The early part of the book was pretty interesting, but as it went on, it was just weak and reminiscent of a million other family dramas. The ending was a little too neat and I found myself rolling my eyes.
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lucibee avatar reviewed The Magician's Assistant on + 63 more book reviews
'Read this book for my book club. It was not one of my favorite reads. It wasn't awful, just kinda boring and somewhat predictable. This is just my opinion. Most of the other ladies in the reading group liked it just fine. Biggest negative was that it wasn't as good as other books by Ann Patchett that they had read. Since I hadn't read any other of her books that comment saddened me. The consensus of opinion was that it was a good, interesting read. Well, guess that is what makes the world go round LOL
onstagegirl avatar reviewed The Magician's Assistant on + 81 more book reviews
Enjoyable journey reading this novel.
reviewed The Magician's Assistant on
This was a great book, I didn't want it to end. Even though it had a distinct ending, I still want to know more about the characters and and their lives in the future.
UALabGeek avatar reviewed The Magician's Assistant on + 46 more book reviews
I loved this book. The characters were fantastic...engaging, believable and deeply felt. I would have loved another 300 pages to get to know them better.


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