Questions About The Magician's Assistant

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I really enjoy this author i.e. Patron saint of liars, etc BUT this one was really hard for me. It kept dragging on and I couldn't help not liking Sabine. She was wishy washy and her whole woe is me act got old fast. Anyone else?

Susan As Sabine, the central character, has just lost her husband, I think describing her as having a "woe is me act" is pretty harsh. I found this novel to…moreAs Sabine, the central character, has just lost her husband, I think describing her as having a "woe is me act" is pretty harsh. I found this novel to be a thought-provoking exploration of grief, identity and the stories we tell ourselves.(less)

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Can anyone explain the "ESP card trick" Sabine did with Howard Plate and why it was so awful for him? I've read it several times and I am not sure I get it. Thanks.

Allison Parsifal always knew who to pick from the audience and would have realized that Howard was the sort of insecure bully who would never let his guard do…moreParsifal always knew who to pick from the audience and would have realized that Howard was the sort of insecure bully who would never let his guard down enough to be in on the joke. Howard was always outside even in his own family. He was so angry and nasty to everyone all the time that he couldn’t ever laugh along with them. If they were having fun he would assume it was at his expense. If his ego wasn’t being actively bolstered he would be sullen or angry. He took the fun of the trick to be a personal slight, especially since he had started to buy into her playing of him. A confident person would enjoy the humor in realizing they had been played. Howard didn’t have it in him. Sabine reaized this too late.(less)

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BB Johnson Absolutely!!!!
BB…moreAbsolutely!!!!
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Callef Yes, I saw it as being "real" magic, a gift Parsifal gave her in the dream. This is one of the things I love about Ann Patchett's writing, that elemen…moreYes, I saw it as being "real" magic, a gift Parsifal gave her in the dream. This is one of the things I love about Ann Patchett's writing, that element of the magical without going too far with it, leaving it to the reader to interpret. Not sure about Bertie's insight into "what Guy would have done" since she was only 3 years old the last time she saw him. (less)

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Howard

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