Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep within the woods, lived a young and curious girl named Emily. Emily had always been intrigued by magic and folklore, often spending her days lost in books and daydreams about witches and wizards. One day, as she ventured even further into the woods, Emily stumbled upon a hidden cottage. Covered in moss and surrounded by ancient trees, the cottage held an air of mystery. Little did she know, this was the home of the notorious witch, Madeline. Overwhelmed by excitement, Emily cautiously approached the cottage.
#Bookreview The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto @MitchAlbom ( @LittleBrownUK )
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a book from Mitch Albom that I have been so looking forward to reading. My copy was published by Sphere (Little, Brown Book Group) earlier in 2017. It took me awhile, but I finally got there and it was so worth the wait!!
I love the writings of Mitch Albom and always come away from his books feeling like I have experienced something very special indeed.
Frankie Presto was no different..
Please read on for my thoughts….
Book Info:
At nine years old, Frankie is sent to America in the bottom of a boat with only an old guitar and six precious strings.
His amazing journey weaves him through the musical landscape of the twentieth century, with his stunning talent impacting numerous icons along the way, including Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Carole King and even KISS.
Frankie makes records and he is adored. But his gift is also his burden, as he realizes, through his music, he can actually affect people’s futures—with one string turning blue whenever a life is altered.
Then at the height of his popularity, Frankie Presto vanishes and his legend grows. Only decades later, does he reappear to change one last life…..
One of the best-loved writers of our time returns with a Forest Gump-like story and his most moving and inspirational novel to date – an absolute classic in the making.
My Review:
From the very first page I knew…..I knew that this would be THE book that would sweep me off my feet and carry me away into that special world, that place that only Mitch Albom’s writings can take me.
‘I have come to claim my prize.
He is there, inside the coffin. In truth he is mine already. But a good musician holds respectfully until the final notes are played. This man’s melody is finished, but his mourners have come a great distance to add a few stanzas…Do I frighten you? I shouldn’t. I am not death…….I am Music. And I am here for the soul of Frankie Presto.’
These are the words of Music following the life and death of Frankie Presto.
Born during the beginning of the Spanish civil war, Frankie Presto was destined for greater things. With a very tough start to life, Frankie eventually found himself in the care of a great, yet very tortured musician, El Maestro. This man was a master of his craft, a guitar virtuoso and through some very troubled years. he passed on his knowledge to young Francesco and sent him out to the world, as Frankie Presto.
Frankie Presto begins his journey and leaves Spain tucked away in a boat with his guitar and, unbeknownst to him, some very special guitar strings. This voyage into the unknown turns into an adventure of a lifetime, as Frankie crosses paths with some of the world’s greatest musicians.
I absolutely love Spanish guitar. I love Jazz. I love the music that climbs into your very soul, where you get to experience a little of what these gifted musicians are feeling. When I turned the page and saw mention of a certain gypsy guitar player, I knew I was in deep with this book
‘He rolled his chin, exhaled deeply, then played the same song – but so fast Frankie stopped breathing. The man’s two fingers shot across the frets, holding a note then springing to many others, spilling octave runs as smoothly as oil poured down a funnel. Those two fingers produced more music than any five fingers could, and he finished with a sweeping of chords, using the pump technique he’d been trying to explain, a syncopated strum that made the guitar sound like a train engine….
“‘Billets Doux’, no?” the Frenchman said, handing back the guitar. “It means love letters.”
“How do you know that?”
“I write it…..I am Django”
Music narrates the story of Frankie Presto along with the memories of iconic musicians such as Tony Bennett and Burt Bacharach. We join Frankie on tour with the exceptional Duke Ellington and THE Elvis Presley. We travel to Woodstock and to the back room of a music shop where Jon Bon Jovi is spotted.
Frankie Presto had talent, a talent never before nor ever again seen. His guitar playing was a phenomenon which constantly drew people to him like bees to a honey-trap. His musical ability had no limitations. He carried with him a magic when he played, a magic that impacted the future of many. For those who were lucky to see/hear him play live, they experienced an enlightenment and felt almost blessed to have been witness to such a being. In death as in life Frankie Presto was an enigma.
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is probably one of the most difficult reviews I have attempted to write. I finished the book over a week ago but I knew I needed to sit with it for awhile before I wrote anything down, to ensure I wouldn’t ramble too much!!
Frankie Presto’s story from beginning to end encapsulates all that I love in a book. It contains the most stunning writing, with a storyline that transported me to somewhere very unique indeed. Mitch Albom is a world renowned best selling author for a reason. His books transcend all existing genre, making this a novel for all, no matter age nor gender.
Mitch Albom is a musician, alongside all his other talents, which gave him access to many famous voices who, in his own words ‘agreed to let me stitch Frankie Presto into their real lives. They trusted me to write in their voices and give an alternate universe to their personal histories’ These voices give great authenticity to Frankie Presto’s story, giving the book an almost autobiographical feel.
Enchanting. Inspirational. Compelling. Heartbreaking. Wonderful. Hypnotic. Captivating….and more..
You deserve to make room in your life for Frankie Presto….
In the words of Music
‘Everyone joins a band in this life. And what you play always affects someone.
Sometimes, it affects the world’
Purchase Link ~ The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom
How many Mitch Albom books have you read? Do you have a favorite? Popular author Mitch Albom’s (Tuesdays With Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven) release, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, is a modern fable about the power of music to change our lives.
Music is the unusual narrator telling the story of Frankie Presto, a gifted guitar player and singer, who changes six lives with his six magical blue strings. Born under tragic circumstances, abandoned as an infant, and raised by a music teacher in a small Spanish town, Frankie is sent to America alone at nine years old with his prized guitar (and six magic strings). His life touches many famous musicians on his journey to become a pop star himself. Because Frankie is troubled by his childhood experiences and tortured by his biggest mistake, he drops out of sight to reconcile with his past. He reappears just before his death to change one last life.
Amazon Rating: 4.7 Stars
Overwhelmed by excitement, Emily cautiously approached the cottage. Her heart raced with anticipation as she pushed the creaky front door open. To her surprise, she found herself standing face to face with an old woman, draped in worn robes, and wearing a pointed hat.
My Thoughts:
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto published in 2015 and I’m discovering it for the first time.
Music and Life: “All humans are musical,” and in a metaphorical sense, “everyone joins a band in this life.” This unforgettable story is one that explores our deepest connections (in the larger sense) and Frankie’s life (specifically).
“I am Music. And Music is in the connection of human souls, speaking a language that needs no words.”
Like the narrator (Death) in The Book Thief, Music as narrator tenderly tells the heartfelt life story of Frankie, a gifted musician. Using a touch of fantasy and magical realism, Mitch Albom’s story (fable) draws upon his own real life experience as a musician to add depth and credibility to Frankie’s story.
Musical Theme: Imaginatively told, cleverly constructed, and creatively written, there’s a lot to love about The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto and its theme that music has the power to affect us all. The most interesting, creative, and daring part of the writing is the technique of weaving real life musical icons into the story as characters. As a result, readers are treated to a survey of pop culture music history. There’s also a soundtrack to accompany the book!
Engaging and Inspiring: I love creative and innovative writing and the author definitely takes risks. Readers like myself will have to suspend belief at times to fully appreciate the fable that the author creates. This engaging story captivated me and gave me a “book hangover.”
Recommended: The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is highly recommended for music lovers, for fans of Mitch Albom, and for readers who appreciate creative writing and a memorable story with unsuspected plot twists and a touch of romance. Book clubs might love this one!
***Update to include this review of Mitch Albom’s newest release, a heartfelt memoir: Finding Chika.
My Rating: 5 Creative Musical Stars
Madeline looked up from her cauldron and greeted Emily with a toothless smile. Surprisingly, she didn't seem as terrifying as the legends had led Emily to believe. In fact, Madeline appeared kind and gentle. Over the next few weeks, Emily visited the cottage regularly, learning about herbs, potions, and the ancient arts of witchcraft. Madeline, despite her eccentric appearance, had a wealth of knowledge and was more than happy to share it with the young girl. As time passed, Emily's visits became more frequent, and a friendship blossomed between the two. They laughed, shared stories, and even enjoyed the simple pleasure of drinking tea together. Madeline had become a mentor, guiding Emily in her magical journey. But as the villagers began to suspect Emily's interactions with the witch, rumors spread like wildfire. They feared Madeline's powers and believed she was the cause of misfortunes that had befallen the village in recent years. Their fear escalated, and soon a mob gathered, determined to rid the village of the supposed evil. One cold night, Emily arrived at Madeline's cottage, breathless and terrified. Tears streamed down her face as she recounted the events unfolding in the village. Madeline comforted her, assuring her that everything would be alright, but Emily knew they had no choice but to flee. Under the cloak of darkness, they escaped the village, leaving behind a life they once knew. With nothing but each other and the knowledge they had accumulated, they embarked on a new adventure. Years passed, and the legends of Emily and Madeline living in harmony spread far and wide. Tales of their friendship and bravery became stories that parents and grandparents would tell their children. The two had become the stuff of legends, challenging the misconceptions of witches and proving that friendship could transcend societal norms. And so, the tale of Emily and Madeline, the young girl who kissed the witch, became a symbol of acceptance and compassion, reminding all who heard it the power of seeing beyond appearances and embracing the unknown..
Reviews for "Rediscovering the magic in "Kissing the Witch"
1. Melissa - 2 stars - I found "Kussing the witch" to be a disappointing read. The plot was incredibly slow and lacked any real excitement or suspense. The character development was also lacking, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters. Additionally, I felt that the writing style was a bit dull and repetitive. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Robert - 1 star - I really struggled to get through "Kussing the witch". The story felt disjointed and confusing, with random subplots that didn't add anything to the overall narrative. The dialogue was also incredibly forced and unrealistic, making it hard for me to engage with the characters. The ending was also unsatisfying and left me feeling underwhelmed. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Kussing the witch" based on the positive reviews, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The pacing was all over the place, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and confusing action scenes. The romance aspect felt forced and lacked chemistry, making it hard for me to root for the main characters. The writing style was also quite amateurish, with awkward phrasing and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not recommend it.