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Title details for The Trick by Emanuel Bergmann - Available

The Trick

A Novel

by Emanuel Bergmann
Jonathan Davis
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Sweeping between Prague during World War II and modern-day Los Angeles, "The Trick is a lyrical, uplifting, and funny story that will tug at all of your heartstrings" (Armando Lucas Correa, bestselling author of The German Girl) that follows a young boy seeking out a cynical, old magician in the hopes that his spells might keep his family together.
In 1934, a rabbi's son in Prague joins a traveling circus, becomes a magician, and rises to fame under the stage name the Great Zabbatini, just as Europe descends into World War II. When Zabbatini is discovered to be a Jew, his battered trunk full of magic tricks becomes his only hope for survival.

Seventy years later in Los Angeles, ten-year-old Max finds a scratched-up LP that captured Zabbatini performing his greatest illusions. But the track in which Zabbatini performs the spell of eternal love—the spell Max believes will keep his parents from getting divorced—is damaged beyond repair. Desperate for a solution, Max seeks out the now elderly, cynical magician and begs him for help.

With gentle wisdom and heartbreaking humor, this is an inventive, deeply moving story about a young boy who needs a miracle, and a disillusioned old man who needs redemption.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    September 19, 2017

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781508243120
      • File size: 281335 KB
      • Duration: 09:46:06

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Author Emanuel Bergmann weaves a tale that elegantly moves from pathos to humor and smoothly transitions from present-day Los Angeles to flashbacks of Nazi-occupied Europe. Narrator Jonathan Davis provides a stellar performance, infusing each character with unique passions. Max is desperate to keep his parents from divorcing and seeks out a magician called The Great Zabbatini, hoping his "love spell" will keep his family together. If only the old codger wasn't so cynical. With one character who is desperate and another who has given up on life, it will definitely take a miracle for a satisfying denouement. Unknown to Max, the magic began long ago. Davis's performance is an excellent match for this story and makes one consider that being part of humanity is an incredibly magical phenomenon. L.M.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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