This is one of Ann Patchett’s earlier novels. The book begins with Sabine holding onto Parsifal, toe. Parsifal has just had an aneurysm. Born in Connecticut, his family died in a car crash when he was young. Parsifal was a successful rug merchant and a part-time magician Sabine was his assistant for about 20 years. She was in love with him, but he was gay. Phan, his partner, and Sabine lived together in Los Angeles. Phan died of AIDS, after Phan’s death, Parsifal was diagnosed with AIDS as well. Parsifal married Sabine, and then he died, leaving her alone with their rabbit in a large empty house in L.A.
Sabine quickly learns that Parsifal’s personal history was a lie. His real name was Guy Fetters and he was born in Alliance, Nebraska rather than Connecticut and his mother and sisters are still very much alive. He had been supporting them from L.A. but he had no contact with them. Sabine gets to know his family, first in L.A. and then shortly thereafter she heads to Nebraska. Sabine slowly learns Parsifal’s real story and develops a love for the Fetter family.
Patchett contrasts the Fetters’ small town life with the Parsifal’s sophisticated Los Angeles home. When Dotty and Bertie come to L.A. to see meet Sabine, Sabine takes them to the Forest Lawn Cemetery where Parsifal and Phan are buried, the Magic Castle where she and Parsifal had performed and the fancy home.
Sabine then accepts invitation to go to Nebraska. It is winter, thus she remains in Dotty’s home most of the time. She gets to know Guy’s other sister Kitty and her sons. She learns why Parsifal left and changed his name. Not surprisingly, this was a family broken by domestic violence.
The book slowly reveals the mystery of Parsifal’s childhood. The mystery that is left unsolved is Sabine. Why did she spend at least 20 years settling for unrequited love? Why was being the magician’s assistant enough? Sabine had the opposite childhood from Parsifal, growing up in sunny southern California, good schools and parents who appear to have adored her. They accepted her relationship with Parsifal, although they clearly weren’t happy about it. They have always been there for her, and even take care of the rabbit when she travels to Nebraska.
Ultimately Sabine and the Fetters family form a relationship which eases their grief and lessens their isolation. Not through magic, but 
through affection, possibly love. It’s kind of a happy ending, although not entirely satisfying because we never really get to know Sabine. The dream sequences (In which Phan appears to guide her forward) don’t reveal Sabine but rather offer more about Phan and Parsifal. Throughout the book she remains the magician’s assistant, not the star of her own story.
