The Trick - by Emanuel Bergmann (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"The Trick is a lyrical, uplifting, and funny story that will tug at all of your heartstrings. A true miracle from the first to the last page."--Armando Lucas Correa, bestselling author of The German Girl

"A lovely story . . . A tale for those who continue to look for magic in the world."-- "New York Journal of Books"

"A poignant story about one's true worth."-- "Historical Novel Society"

"A wonderful, inspiring book. Don't miss it."-- "The Jerusalem Post"

"As I flipped the pages, I was reminded of the best magic of all: love's ability to turn our greatest disappointments into our biggest blessings."-- "First for Women Magazine"

"Bergmann's novel, a pleasing blend of Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants and Jonathan Safran Foer's Everything is Illuminated, puts magic back into everyday life."-- "Booklist"

"Bergmann's storytelling is a feat of magic in and of itself."-- "RT Book Reviews"

"By turns sentimental and quirky, The Trick has much to love, most notably a charming intergenerational friendship between a boy who clings to his magical thinking and a disillusioned old grouch. . . Bergmann packs in enough magic and miracles to leave the reader under his spell."-- "Shelf Awareness"

"Emanuel Bergmann is a formidable writer and he has meticulously weaved the story with two great characters. You will enjoy this brilliantly written debut novel no matter what your mood and age are."-- "The Washington BookReview"

"Haunting."-- "New York Post"

"Sweet, funny, magical."-- "Kirkus"

"The tragedy of the past weaves together with humor, love, and a belief in the impossible in The Trick."-- "BookPage"

"The twin stories of Max and the octogenarian born Moshe Goldenhirsch in Prague will mesmerize readers as they move ever closer to the finale. While Max hunts down his quarry, I was envisioning the fortune-telling machine at the heart of the Tom Hanks film Big, but the images Bergmann creates are eerier and more devastating in his exceptional work."-- "Library Journal"

About the Author

Emanuel Bergmann was born in Germany and is a journalist and translator. He has been living in Los Angeles since 1990. His first novel, The Trick, was an international bestseller.