Other editions of book The Magician's Wife

The restless wife of an illusionist becomes embroiled in a North African holy war in this “tour de force” of historical fiction (The New York Times). Early in her marriage to renowned prestidigitator Henri Lambert, Emmeline had exulted in his fame, the foreign tours, and the command performances of his “Magical Evenings.” Now, Henri’s given it all up to pursue a quiet life in their remote country manor, but restless, devoted Emmeline longs to see her husband return to his former glory. It all changes again when, in service to their country, Henri and Emmeline are invited to spend seven days at Compiègne as guests of Napoléon III. The emperor wants Henri to work his magic on a charismatic Algerian marabout who’s influencing his followers to overthrow the French in a holy war. For Henri, convincing a man of where his allegiance should lie will be the performance of a lifetime. But for Emmeline, ushered from the lavish royal courts to the barren Sahara, it will prove to be an illuminating journey that will challenge her views on God and faith, open her eyes to her husband’s weaknesses, and expose the treachery of her own country. “Flashing his own sleight of hand, [Moore] transforms a historical fact into a story both true to its time and relevant to the present day.” —The New York Times

France, 1856: Emmeline Lambert is married to an illusionist sent by Napoleon III to persuade the Arabs - poised for holy war and in thrall to charismatic leaders - that France's might and magic are the greater. Emmeline begins to feel like an illusionist herself, when she dazzles the Emperor and then sheds her inhibitions along with flimsy notions of patriotism and propriety in the hot glare of the Algerian sun. Power, politics, religion and love, the court of Napoleon III and the deserts of Algeria combine in this mesmerising novel from a master storyteller.

A novel on the 19th century French colonization of Algeria. In a bid to forestall a revolt, Napoleon III dispatches France's top magician, hoping an exhibition of his powers will impress rebellious sheiks with the superiority of European civilization. But the magician's wife--events are seen through her eyes--finds Arab civilization superior. By the author of The Statement.A novel set at the beginning of French rule in Algeria documents the lives of illusionist Henri Lambert and his wife, Emmeline, who are drawn into a plot to further the French imperialist drive into North Africa and subdue the rebellious Arabs

Based upon an actual incident from the early days of the French imperialist drive into North Africa, Brian Moore's latest bestseller, The Magician's Wife tells a profound story of political will in conflict with spiritual belief--and 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 plan to further French influence in North Africa and subdue the rebellious Arab tribes. An ambitious, intelligent man, Lambert will go to desperate lengths to satisfy his emperor. Emmeline, meanwhile, undergoes a spiritual conversion, shedding her former notions of patriotism and propriety in the hot glare of the desert sun. From the splendor and intrigue of the French royal court of the 1850s to the wild majesty of the Sahara, The Magician's Wife is an exciting, exotic, and glamorously seductive novel.