The Trick

A Novel

By: Emanuel Bergmann

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

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.

You'll laugh and you'll cry.

What did you love best about The Trick?

This is an amazing story where you will travel back in time to Prague and visit modern day LA. The story connected the Holocaust to the reality of children loosing sight of what life was like for their grandparents. The Trick made me laugh, cry and remember the importance of walking in other peoples shoes.

What other book might you compare The Trick to and why?

The Room on Rue Amélie and The Librarian of Auschwitz. These stories are also personal accounts of what went on during World War Two.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Davis – was your favorite?

Zabbatini. He was such a dynamic character. He made you angry, sad and happy.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wish I could have listened to this in one sitting! It was so hard to "put down".

Extraordinarily touching and beautiful

What an incredibly creative way to tell this story —- a travel in time with vivid characters and moving life lessons. Thanks to the Author and StoryTeller for bringing this story to life. A journey I’ll remember with a balance of both heartfelt sorrow and deep-rooted happiness.