The Magician's Wife
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Book Overview
Set in the 1850s and based on an actual historical incident, The Magician's Wife is a rare glimpse at the beginnings of 100 years of French rule in Algeria and a bold exploration of one woman's desires and convictions. Summoned to the grand country estate of Napoleon III, the famed illusionist Henri Lambert and his wife, Emmeline, are drawn into an elaborate plot to further the French imperialist drive into North Africa and subdue the rebellious Arab tribes threatening jihad. A man of inordinate ambition, Lambert goes to desperate lengths to satisfy both his emperor and his own hunger for fame. Meanwhile, Emmeline succumbs to the desert's spell, undergoing a type of spiritual conversion, shedding her former notions of patriotism and property - along with her inhibitions - in the hot glare of the Arabian sun. From the splendor and intrigue of the French court to the majesty of the Sahara, The Magician's Wife is an exciting, exotic, and glamoursly seductive novel.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0525944001
ISBN13:9780525944003
Release Date:January 1998
Publisher:Dutton Books
Length:228 Pages
Weight:0.90 lbs.
Dimensions:0.9" x 5.8" x 8.9"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Unforgettable and clearly should be a film
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This book is compelling, has well drawn characters, and has such a powerful ending that it's easy to picture it as a wonderful film. We see the story through the eyes of the protagonist, Emmeline, as she watches and is affected by the shady motivations of the characters that surround her. The reader's suspense builds with hers and the wonderful ending will not disappoint anyone. Well worth your time.
A very pleasant surprise
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
I read this book only because it was the assigned book for my book club. I did not expect to like it. Was I ever surprised. I loved it! The vivid descriptions of everything, the landscape, the people, the food, the events as well as the author's ability to let the reader into Emmeline's head made me feel as though I were part of the story. And what suspense!! Now I want to read Mr. Moore's "The Statement." Also, the cover art is really pretty!
a truly great novel
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Although I was apprenhensive at first about reading the story of a 19th century French Magician and his wife, my fears were quickly calmed. the flow of the novel is incredible. i found the novel very difficult to put down. deniau is the perfect villain for the story as he, like most every thing else is an illusion. i actually found myself caring about the characters, particularly bou-aziz and emmeline. a true masterpice.
A beautifully understated tale of inner strife.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
More fabulous storytelling from Brian Moore. An intelligent and sensitive woman, married to a controlled and remote, but fascinating man, Emmeline is bored, self-indulgent, contemplative, and aware of all of these. Thrust into an episode in high society, she is seduced by its glitter and facade of importance, and repelled by its cruelty and pettiness. Her husband is recruited by the Emperor himself to use his magician's illusions to overawe the superstitious and religious people of Algiers. Reluctantly impressed with the beauty and simplicity of the Algerians way of life, and humbled by their religious sincerity, Emmeline finds her already strained loyalty to her husband tested further by her sympathies for the people he intends to dupe. Moore does a wonderful job of carrying us along in Emmeline's inner struggles with her best and worst selves. She faces her own petty fascinations with social foolery and meaningless connections, and struggles to act on her inner sense of rightness. At the same time, she does not spare herself the knowledge of her own weaknesses. Wonderfully crafted and absorbing - as have been all the Moore novels I have read so far.
a great read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
I enjoyed this book immensely. It put the reader into the mind of its main character, and drew us into a long ago time and place. I've not read Moore's other books, but I plan to start!
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