The Magician's Assistant

By: Ann Patchett

Narrated by: Karen Ziemba

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

When a gay Los Angeles magician named Parsifal dies suddenly, he leaves behind his heartbroken assistant, Sabine, and a secret past that leads her to Nebraska and a father she never knew he had.

©1997 Ann Patchett (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"The kindliness of The Magician's Assistant is beguiling, and Patchett is an adroit, graceful writer. . . she is especially practiced at the razzle-dazzle of odd juxtapositions." (New York Times Book Review)

"A saga of redemption tenderly and terrifically told." (Kirkus Reviews)

Just ok

Love this author yet this story seemed to ramble without any real compulsion for engagement…

Another brilliant, beautiful, novel by Ann Patchett

I loved the narration and dialog between characters, Also, the thought processes of the protagonist. The author makes you care and gives you the experience of being there with all the details. Also learning about the world of magic was very interesting.
The ending mystery made me investigate the last chapter and dialog to understand the conclusion and appreciate it, in it's beautiful simplicity, even though it wasn't spelled out!

enjoyable

I'm a huge Ann Patchett fan. She is unparalleled in her story telling. In The Magician's Assistant Patchett takes the intricacies of grief and healing and pairs it with the ache of unrequited love. Her subtle weaving of details is simply sublime.

A unique story, multi- faceted characters and a pleasure to listen to this narrator.

What a enjoyable surprise

Was skeptic about this novel but after the first chapter i was hooked! The pure level of dedication a wife has for a husband is moving and how strangers can become family.

An assistant drowning in grief

This woman, the Magician's Assistant, is drowning in her grief. She is drowning in her grief for a LONG time. It just goes on and on and on. I couldn't listen to it anymore. I made it through till she got to Nebraska and maybe then book was going to turn around, but I found it way too depressing of a listen since I am grieving for a loss myself. I couldn't listen any longer.

Disapointing.

What did you like best about The Magician's Assistant? What did you like least?

Well written, interesting plot. Just didn't deliver.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Predictable, flat, uninspiring.

Did Karen Ziemba do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, she writes well, the characters have depth.

Was The Magician's Assistant worth the listening time?

Sometimes, but not often enough.

Engaging and delightful.

What made the experience of listening to The Magician's Assistant the most enjoyable?

The characters, story line and reading combine to make a most enjoyable experience. This is a surprising gift of a story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Magician's Assistant?

Los Angeles raised Sabine's first visit to a super Wal-Mart in Nebraska.

Which character – as performed by Karen Ziemba – was your favorite?

Dot Fetters. That said, it is almost a toss up with Sabine and Kitty.

If you could take any character from The Magician's Assistant out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Phan, who was Parcival the Magician's partner. Phan had such an interesting life, full of drama and the tragedy of war. Yet, his character was so peaceful and loving.

Any additional comments?

This book, like all of Ann Patchett's novels, is completely unique. Where does she come up with these stories? Who would ever come up with these situations and characters? Ann Patchett, I guess. This is an earlier novel and has a lighter tone and more likable character than some of her later novels. I keep this book on my ipod and find myself going back to it over and over again. I even find myself making notes of certain sentences. Karen Ziemba reading is clear and engaging. Karen was able to get all the characters and regional accents consistently. She has an easy to listen to voice and her pace and differentiation of the many characters is wonderful. Karen Ziemba was a perfect reader for The Magician's Assistant.

Loved It!

Great love story about the complicated twists our lives take. I recommend it!

I was voluntarily provided the free review copy of audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.

The magic of listening to your heart

Imagine, if you will, the prefect embrace, the lingering kiss that bridges Los Angeles and Nebraska. Wave your hand over the history untold, and the mysteries within mysteries, and you have Ann Patchett's magical story. A story that touches your heart in ways both unexpected and yet so wonderful. And, like most magic, the trick is simple. It is in the presentation that transports us to that place where something is other then...the magic of listening to your heart.

Great Story, but the Ending???

Interesting story, the subject and the characters were unique and fun to get to know. It was a book that held your interest from the beginning. I enjoyed the progression of the tale and the odd unveiling of her “husbands” family! The whole thing was good until the end!! WTF!! Too many loose ends! I was thinking something got skipped! Seriously, it was a horrible way to end a book.