The Magician's Assistant

Ann Patchett

The first time Sabine saw Parsifal he called her up to the stage to be his assistant in a magic trick. She fell in love with him and stayed with him until he died over 20 years later. He was gay and she became his best friend, then married him after his lover's death. He had told her he was from Connecticut and that his parents and sister had died in an automobile accident.

When his lawyer reads the will leaving Sabine almost everything, she learns Parsifal's family is from Nebraska and his mother and sisters are still alive. His mother and youngest sister visit Los Angeles to see his grave and learn about his life. Although he had sent them money throughout the years, they had had no contact with Guy Fetters, the man who turned himself into Parsifal the Magician. Dot Fetters wants to learn about her son. Sabine starts learning about the young Guy and why he turned away from his family.

Sabine also discovers that despite her misgivings about a family who could have injured Parsifal so much he turned away from them, she is beginning to like Dot and Bertie. The women reassure her she would also like Kitty, the sister closest to Guy who had to stay in Nebraska. After they return home, Sabine decides to visit Nebraska to learn more about young Guy and for Bertie's wedding. As she learns more, she has to reconcile the boy from Nebraska into the man he became.

While looking for an audio book, the description for The Magician's Assistant caught my interest. I downloaded it, not knowing if I'd get to it or not. I'm glad I did. Ann Patchett has written a touching story about a woman who loved a man for 20 years, was with him the whole time, but could never have him the way she wanted. The more she learns his past secrets, the more important he is. But she also learns to let him go.

Patchett took people and put them in unfamiliar surroundings - the Fetters women to Los Angeles after never leaving Nebraska in their lives, and Sabine to Nebraska after growing up and living in Los Angeles most of her life. She conveys their confusion and acceptance at the same time. Sabine's trip to Nebraska is more than culture shock, though. She discovers secrets about Parsifal she never guessed. She also discovers things about herself.

The Magician's Assistant is a good study of people and bad situations without getting too dark. I was thrown at first by some of the timing of the incidents until I remembered this book was published in the 1990's. That gave it the proper perspective.

Notice:  Non-graphic violence; Suggestive dialogue or situations

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