The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom Book Review

Title: The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto

Date Published: November 10, 2015

Publisher: Harper

Pages: 512

Format: Paperback

Source: TLC Book Tours

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Mitch Albom creates his most unforgettable fictional character—Frankie Presto, the greatest guitarist to ever walk the earth—in this magical novel about the bands we join in life and the power of talent to change our lives.

In his most stunning novel yet, the voice of Music narrates the tale of its most beloved disciple, young Frankie Presto, a war orphan raised by a blind music teacher in a small Spanish town. At nine years old, Frankie is sent to America in the bottom of a boat. His only possession is an old guitar and six precious strings.

But Frankie’s talent is touched by the gods, and his amazing journey weaves him through the musical landscape of the 20th century, from classical to jazz to rock and roll, with his stunning talent affecting numerous stars along the way, including Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Carole King, Wynton Marsalis and even KISS.

Frankie becomes a pop star himself. He makes records. 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.

At the height of his popularity, Frankie Presto vanishes. His legend grows. Only decades later, does he reappear—just before his spectacular death—to change one last life.

With its Forest Gump-like romp through the music world, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a classic in the making. A lifelong musician himself, Mitch Albom delivers a remarkable novel, infused with the message that “everyone joins a band in this life” and those connections change us all.

I have been a fan of Mitch Albom's since Tuesdays with Morrie. My fear when I read this book was that it was going to be too religious. Being Buddhist by nature, if it reeks of Catholicism it isn't for me. Thankfully, this book wasn't like that, but it did have a spiritual feel to it.

The premise of this story was too good to pass up - a book narrated by music and a magical six string guitar, how could this be anything but fabulous, in a unique and lively way?

Frankie Presto is a gifted musician and the book begins at his funeral. The story that is woven about his lifetime and the people that he encountered is wonderful and I enjoyed reading about all he did throughout his life and musical career.

This is an excellent novel.

Mitch Albom is a bestselling novelist, a screen-writer, a playwright, and an award-winning journalist. He is the author of six consecutive number-one New York Times bestsellers and has sold more than thirty-four million copies of his books in forty-two languages worldwide. Tuesdays with Morrie, which spent four years atop the New York Times list, is the bestselling memoir of all time. Albom has founded seven charities, including the first-ever full-time medical clinic for homeless children in America. He also operates an orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He lives with his wife, Janine, in suburban Detroit.

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