In this mesmerising novel that blends political intrigue and moral inquiry with an unforgettable portrait of a lady, Brian Moore takes us into the deserts of Algeria and the courts of Napoleon III. Based on a small but remarkable moment in history, this is the rich and moving story of an illusionist's wife who finds herself unexpectedly entangled in the politics of the Imperial and Arab worlds.

Brian Moore's profile page

Brian Moore was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1921. He served with the Ministry of War in North Africa, Italy, and France during the Second World War. He emigrated to Canada in 1948 and worked as a newspaper reporter for the Montreal Gazette from 1948 until 1952.

While living in Canada, Moore wrote his first three novels, The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne, The Feast of Lupercal, and The Luck of Ginger Coffey, the first two set in Belfast, the third in Montreal. In 1959 he moved to the United States, but Canada continued to play a role in his later novels, including I Am Mary Dunne, The Great Victorian Collection, and Black Robe. His many honours included two Governor General’s Awards for Fiction.

Brian Moore died in Malibu, California, in 1999.

From the Hardcover edition.

"An entertaining and compelling read, a page-turner of historical intrigue saturated with the political and moral awakening of a fascinating woman." -- The Financial Post
"A superior performance, rich in historical detail, acute in its psychology.... Flashing his own sleight of hand, [Moore] transforms a historical fact into a story both true to its time and relevant to the present.... Moving and entertaining." -- The New York Times
"Irresistible.... The Magician's Wife is a stylish, historical adventure.... Gripping entertainment." -- The Toronto Star
"[An] exquisitely-crafted novel, a fast-paced story of psychological, romantic and geo-political intrigue.... Moore is a master novelist." -- Baltimore Sun