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  • The Magician's Assistant

  • By: Ann Patchett
  • Narrated by: Karen Ziemba
  • Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (2,365 ratings)

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The Magician's Assistant

By: Ann Patchett
Narrated by: Karen Ziemba
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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)

What listeners say about The Magician's Assistant

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
    45
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    31
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
    400
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyable

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

I liked the character development of Sabine, the main character.

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

It was very memorable every time Sabine learned a new secret about her husband's family.

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

Sabine.

Any additional comments?

I think Ann Patchett is my new favorite writer.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Anticlimactic

this book had a medium level of interest for me. I found it easy to put down but did find myself wanting to finish it. The ending left me flat.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Great characters

It was an interesting enough story. It got a bit draggy in places, but the characters we're dynamic and very enjoyable. It's just that same old story line of two people saving each other from their situations. She did everything to make this ancient story line interesting, and was fairly successful. However, it's still the same old story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I can't believe I have not read this book. Enjoyed the story and especially the very rich and complicated characters very much!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

interesting read

This isn't my usual genre, and I didn't expect it to end as it did.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good points, bad points, but entertaining

An almost 4 star story, a 5 star performance, but a couple of issues I had brought it down to a 3.5 star rating. The most glaring issue, and I think least arguable, is that corny, distracting jazz music between sections. It's horrible! Worse, it's horribly comedic . All I can think of is Chevy Chase in a leisure suit trying to look cool. My other big issue is the ending. The last part of the book, starting with the wedding, seemed rushed and not as well thought out as the rest of the story. But, all in all, an entertaining book and a really good performance.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderfully told story

The Magician's Assistant is an unusual look at the many layers of love and loss. The story pulls the listener or reader in at the open ending and holds tightly through its telling. What an uplifting tale!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

what happened?

This was a decent book (nothing special) until the end. It seemed to me that the author got bored or tired of writing and so simply ended it. Disappointing...

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

80s news broadcast music ruins the audio experienc

The audio includes jarring, tinny music that plays over the transition between sections. This is so distracting.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Easy to listen to

Well written, excellent narrator. Story line okay- I love Ann Pachett, but this wasn't one of her best.

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