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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “This was an odd book and interesting at the same time. The story takes place during a few months in 1847, and begins when a French magician and his wife are invited to spend a week at the palace of the French emperor, together with a hundred or so other guests. |
Didn’t Like It “This could have been a wonderful book if Moore had spent more time on character development. As it stands, the novel is disappointing.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“One of Moore's novels critical of French colonialism. The magician, Henri Lambert, is whisked off to 1840s Algeria to help stem the tide of local resistance to the French. He is to perform in front of Bou Aziz, the local Marabout, and show that France's magic is greater than Algeria's. But the Magician's wife throws a wrench into that wonderful machinery. Good book, quick read.”
LEE J wrote this review Wednesday, October 13, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A very interesting book about cultural ignorance and arrogance about having the "upper hand".”
Julie wrote this review Wednesday, March 24, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“JudithAnn said: 4 stars
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review Monday, March 8, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This was an odd book and interesting at the same time. The story takes place during a few months in 1847, and begins when a French magician and his wife are invited to spend a week at the palace of the French emperor, together with a hundred or so other guests.
The reason for this visit is, that the emperor wants to ask the magician, Henri Lambert, to go to Algeria to do some tricks that will impress the natives. They have been in a war with the French for a while and the French want to undermine the authority of an Algerian holy man, who can do all kinds of miracles. Lambert is to show they something that will make the Algerians doubt their own leaders, and make it easier to win the war.
It all seemed far-fetched but apparently really happened. The magician and his wife go to Algeria and find that things are not quite what they expected.
It was an quick, fun read, although I never really warmed to Mme Lambert from whose viewpoint the novel was written.”
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“I picked this book up in a second-hand shop the other day because the title seemed familiar. Once I started reading it I knew I was mistaken; I've never heard of it before. Really enjoyed the book. Great story. I feel I must delve into some history to find the real story behind the novel. ”
Tricia C wrote this review Sunday, September 27, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I got this book from the library, but I ended up buying it. This story is ultimately about the French taking over Algeria, and the means they used. A French magician is sent to Algeria with his wife to perform magic tricks to convince the natives that the French are more powerful in every way. The European men are blind to everything except the goal of conquest at any cost. Emmeline begins to question this and many other assumptions she had about her life, France and the world in general. This story is based on an actual event. ”
Cathy E wrote this review Friday, September 25, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No1 of 1 members found this review helpful“This was an odd book and interesting at the same time. The story takes place during a few months in 1847, and begins when a French magician and his wife are invited to spend a week at the palace of the French emperor, together with a hundred or so other guests.
JudithAnn wrote this review Friday, August 14, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The reason for this visit is, that the emperor wants to ask the magician, Henri Lambert, to go to Algeria to do some tricks that will impress the natives. They have been in a war with the French for a while and the French want to undermine the authority of an Algerian holy man, who can do all kinds of miracles. Lambert is to show they something that will make the Algerians doubt their own leaders, and make it easier to win the war.
It all seemed far-fetched but apparently really happened. The magician and his wife go to Algeria and find that things are not quite what they expected.
It was an quick, fun read, although I never really warmed to Mme Lambert from whose viewpoint the novel was written. ”“This could have been a wonderful book if Moore had spent more time on character development. As it stands, the novel is disappointing.”
Loella S wrote this review Friday, July 25, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I often pick a book at random from the library shelf and this was one of those.
Alan M wrote this review Sunday, April 6, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It is a reasonably interesting and plausible story that is reasonably well told. I felt, however, there was a lack of intensity in the emotions and unfolding drama. There are many books I would recommend before this one, but reading this would be a better use of time than watching tv. But I do recommend the occasional random selection of reading material. I discovered Sue Miller and Anne Tyler this way.
”“U'll know how brilliant the role of a magician can be!”
SleepingChild wrote this review Saturday, September 22, 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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