The Magician's Assistant

Written by acclaimed American author Ann Patchett, The Magician’s Assistant is a piece of contemporary literature that explores life after grief, the nature of love, and the power of family dynamics. Told in two parts, one set in Los Angeles and the other in small-town Nebraska, the novel emphasizes the importance of setting and environment in the development of identity.

The author of nine novels and the recipient of numerous awards, Ann Patchett is an outspoken advocate for independent booksellers and served as the editor of Best American Short Stories 2006. Her novels have been translated into over 30 languages and have been hailed as both New York Times Notable Books and New York Times Bestsellers. One of her novels, The Dutch House, was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

This guide refers to the 1997 edition published by Harcourt Books.

Content Warning: Both the source text and this guide include descriptions of anti-gay bias, domestic violence, and physical abuse. In addition, they contain discussion of AIDS and the social stigma of its diagnosis during the time the novel takes place.

Plot Summary

The Magician’s Assistant opens on the scene of Parsifal’s death. Though Parsifal has long been diagnosed with AIDS, he dies of an aneurysm.