"The Magical Strings of Frankie Prestige" "The Magical Strings of Frankie Prestige" is a captivating and enchanting tale of a young musician named Frankie Prestige. The story takes place in a whimsical world where music is not just an art form but also possesses magical powers. Frankie Prestige is a talented violinist who has an innate ability to connect with his audience through his music. His melodious tunes have the power to transport people into a world of wonder and awe. One night, while performing at a small local pub, Frankie discovers a hidden compartment in the violin case, containing a set of strings that he has never seen before. Intrigued by this mysterious find, Frankie replaces the current strings of his violin with this newfound set.
Laurel Mack’s life stopped in many ways the day her 15-year-old daughter, Ellie, left the house to study at the library and never returned. She drifted away from her other two children, Hanna and Jake, and eventually she and her husband, Paul, divorced. Ten years later, Ellie’s remains and her backpack are found, though the police are unable to determine the reasons for her disappearance and death. After Ellie’s funeral, Laurel begins a relationship with Floyd, a man she meets in a cafe. She's disarmed by Floyd’s charm, but when she meets his young daughter, Poppy, Laurel is startled by her resemblance to Ellie. As the novel progresses, Laurel becomes increasingly determined to learn what happened to Ellie, especially after discovering an odd connection between Poppy’s mother and her daughter even as her relationship with Floyd is becoming more serious. Jewell’s (I Found You, 2017, etc.) latest thriller moves at a brisk pace even as she plays with narrative structure: The book is split into three sections, including a first one which alternates chapters between the time of Ellie’s disappearance and the present and a second section that begins as Laurel and Floyd meet. Both of these sections primarily focus on Laurel. In the third section, Jewell alternates narrators and moments in time: The narrator switches to alternating first-person points of view (told by Poppy’s mother and Floyd) interspersed with third-person narration of Ellie’s experiences and Laurel’s discoveries in the present. All of these devices serve to build palpable tension, but the structure also contributes to how deeply disturbing the story becomes. At times, the characters and the emotional core of the events are almost obscured by such quick maneuvering through the weighty plot.
But Frankie Presto s gift is also his burden, as he realizes the power of the strings his teacher gave him, and how, through his music, he can actually affect people s lives. Since 2010, Albom has operated Have Faith Haiti in Port-au-Prince, a home and school to more than 60 children, which he visits every month without exception.
Intrigued by this mysterious find, Frankie replaces the current strings of his violin with this newfound set. As he starts to play, he is immediately astounded by the magical quality of the music produced. Each note resonates with an otherworldly energy, captivating everyone in the room.
THE MAGIC STRINGS OF FRANKIE PRESTO
"All lonely roads lead back to Music" in this sentimental journey that might be a mashup of the lives of shooting stars like.
At the funeral of guitar superstar Frankie Presto, who disappeared at the peak of his fame, the Spirit of Music looks back on his life from his birth in a church during the Spanish Civil War to his years as “the next Elvis Presley.”
In Albom's latest mystical tale (The First Phone Call from Heaven, 2013, etc.), Francisco's mother dies after giving birth. The newborn is rescued by a nun, but she’s soon overwhelmed and, Moses-like, casts him adrift in the Mijares River, where he's found by Baffa Rubio’s hairless dog. Rubio later runs afoul of Franco’s thugs, and Francisco, only 9, is smuggled from Spain on a tramp freighter by El Maestro, his blind guitar instructor. In London, surviving as a busker, Francisco meets Django Reinhardt when the legendary guitarist is on his way to play with Duke Ellington in America. Francisco travels with him, his talent soon to earn international acclaim. Though a guitar virtuoso, Francisco neglects the beloved instrument to become a pop star, joining the glitterati. The moral? "Fame is addictive." Over decades, Francisco meets a litany of musicians, including Roger McGuinn, Burt Bacharach, Tony Bennett, and Paul Stanley of KISS, who reminisce in separate chapters while Music (imagine James Earl Jones reading poetry) spins out Francisco’s life story. There are occasional odd descriptive phrases like "with hair the color of dark grapes," but Albom can elicit tears when he writes about loss, and he has fun with you-are-there butterfly-effect anecdotes, as when Francisco tells Hank Williams not to buy a baby blue Cadillac, the car in which he would ride to his death.
"All lonely roads lead back to Music" in this sentimental journey that might be a mashup of the lives of shooting stars like Bobby Darin or Ricky Nelson.
Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-06-229441-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2015
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Word of Frankie's newfound talent spreads like wildfire, and soon he is in high demand for his magical performances. People from far and wide come to witness the extraordinary power of his music. Through his performances, Frankie is able to heal emotional wounds, bring joy to the sorrowful, and inspire creativity in all who listen. As his popularity grows, Frankie becomes more and more immersed in the magical world of music. He discovers that each string possesses a unique power - the first string can heal physical ailments, the second string can mend broken hearts, the third string can evoke feelings of pure bliss, and the fourth string can unlock hidden talents and abilities. However, Frankie soon realizes that the magic of the strings comes with a price. The more he uses the strings' powers, the more drained he feels. This newfound fame begins to take a toll on his physical and mental well-being. He becomes torn between his desire to share the magic of his music with the world and his own personal welfare. As the story unfolds, Frankie learns valuable lessons about self-care and balance. He understands that in order to continue bringing joy to others through his music, he must take care of himself and listen to his own needs. With this newfound wisdom, Frankie embarks on a journey to find a way to harness the magical powers of the strings without sacrificing his own well-being. "The Magical Strings of Frankie Prestige" is a tale that explores the transformative power of music and the delicate balance between self-expression and personal well-being. It reminds us of the importance of listening to our own needs while bringing joy to others through our passions. Through this captivating story, readers are transported into a world where music has the ability to heal, inspire, and create magic..
Reviews for "The Mystifying Aura of Frankie Prestige's Magical Violin Strings"
- Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to watch "The magical strings of Frankie Prestige" because I had heard so many good things about it. However, I was left feeling disappointed and confused. The plot was all over the place and I couldn't keep up with what was happening. The characters were poorly developed and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. Overall, it was a rather poorly executed film and I wouldn't recommend it.
- Mark - 1 star - "The magical strings of Frankie Prestige" was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The acting was terrible and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The story was so convoluted that I couldn't even follow it. The film just seemed to jump from one random scene to another without any coherence. I was completely bored throughout the entire movie and couldn't wait for it to end. Save your money and skip this one!
- Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The magical strings of Frankie Prestige" but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing of the film was incredibly slow and dragged on for what felt like an eternity. The cinematography was lackluster and there were many scenes that seemed unnecessary and added nothing to the plot. Additionally, the ending felt extremely rushed and left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I was disappointed with this film.