I have a great novel for you––one that made me sigh with delight when I finished it. It's The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett.
Pull a rabbit out of a hat? Parsifal and Sabine had far better tricks than that. The tape of their performance on The Tonight Show, hosted by Johnny Carson, proves their talent.
Now, though, the first words of the novel tell us
Parsifal is dead. That is the end of the story,
Of course, it's a beginning for his assistant and widow, Sabine, but she doesn't know it yet.
But when she reads Parsifal's will, Sabine learns that he left behind an illusion. His name and the story of his childhood are far different from what he told Sabine. Sabine leaves sunny Los Angeles for the harsh winter of Alliance, Nebraska, to find some magic of her own.
Ann Patchett conjures a story filled with her own tricks that inspire the reader to empathize with Sabine and the reality behind Parsifal's tricks.
The Magician's Assistant earns The Janie Junebug Seal of Highest Magical Approval.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
I would buy that book just for the cute bunny on the cover alone, and yes, you can take my Man Card, but it doesn't make it any less true.
ReplyDeleteReal men love cute bunnies.
DeleteIt looks wonderful; I just bought it!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it.
DeleteI like Ann. I'll give this one a listen on Audible.
ReplyDeleteI like her, too.
DeleteOh, that does sound good! I'm putting it on my list!
ReplyDeleteIs this a true story or is the Johnny Carson tape made up? Sounds pretty good either way. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's fiction. The tape is an invention.
DeleteI have not heard of this. It sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt is. I didn't want to put it down.
DeleteBesides the FABULOUS cover design, this story sounds like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteOff to Amazon !
cheers, parsnip
I've seen it with other cover designs that I like just as much.
DeleteThat does sound good. I haven't read Ann Patchett for awhile. The last book of hers I read was The Patron Saint of Liars. That too was a good read. I will put this one on my list to get.
ReplyDeleteI like this one more than The Patron Saint of Liars. My favorite so far is Bel Canto.
DeleteI've read a few of her books. Lately I'm reading a copy of one of my late mother's favorite books, "The Good Earth."
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since I read anything by Pearl S. Buck.
DeleteI think that book would make me cry. But I'll check it out.
ReplyDeleteI didn't cry, and I can get pretty weepy.
DeleteI will add this to my never ending list of books I must read! It is hard work being a bookaholic :)
ReplyDeleteLoving books is a full-time job.
DeleteThat sounds like fun! The first line works well for a little game my wife recently discovered. After the first sentence of any book, insert the following as the second: And then the murders began. So...
ReplyDeleteParsifal is dead. And then the murders began.
I like that!
DeleteAnna Karenina...
DeleteHappy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. And then the murders began.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. And then the murders began.
DeleteIt looks and sounds like a good book. Hope there isn't any sad parts. I get too emotional. Thank you for sharing your recommendation. Hope you are doing well, Janie.
ReplyDeleteI am well. Thank you, Murees. Sabine is sad because Parsifal is dead, but it's a book that made me curious rather than sad.
DeleteSounds like a story that might have a few twists.
ReplyDeleteSounds super! Thanks. (As if I need much of a nudge to read another book...)
ReplyDeletenudge, nudge, nudge
DeleteRead three books.
Well, I shall have to get this to read! I read AP's "Bel Canto" a couple of times, so I'm betting I'll really enjoy this! Thanks for the recommendation, JJ!
ReplyDeleteBel Canto made me an Ann Patchett fan for life.
DeleteSounds like a fun one. Thanks, Janie. I've never read Ann Patchett. I know, I know, what's wrong with me? That I cannot tell you.
ReplyDeleteLove.
Too much time writing erotica leads to a lack of familiarity with Ann Patchett.
DeleteI see that she also wrote Bel Canto-I think I opened that book and promptly closed it deciding it might be too sad for me that day.I trust you though, and might give this one a try! ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't know why, but the sad parts in Ann Patchett's books don't make me depressed. They move me, but I don't cry. They move me in good ways.
Deletethis sounds like a book that I should read since I used to work on magic shows and spent time in the magic community. I'd be checking to see what the author got right.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Love her books and this one does sound magical. Will put it on my wishlist.
ReplyDelete