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A review by momwithareadingproblem
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom
Did not finish book.
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Initial Reaction:
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is written by one of my all-time favorite authors MItch Albom. I’ve been raving about wanting/needing this book since I first heard about it a little over a year ago. Sadly, this is the first (and I hope only) time Albom has ever let me down. After making it roughly three-quarters of the way through I had to sit it down. I just wasn’t feeling the characters or the story. In fact I can barely recall what it was about.
Let me first explain what the book is about then I’ll tell you why I didn’t like it. The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto follows the story of the title character after his untimely death on stage. Frankie Presto is a well-known guitarist and each string of his guitar has the ability to change someone’s life forever. Pretty cool concept right?
I loved the idea of a musician – in this case a guitarist – having the ability to change someone’s life through music. It was just cool! Pretty early in the novel you get a glimpse of this happening when Frankie stops a guy from beating up on a girl in a bar just by playing his guitar. Very cool, and I was hooked!
The narrator of the story is Music. Yes, music is an entity, kind of like a sentient being, granting people with the gift of music. He’s very interested in Frankie and Frankie’s untimely death. The story starts at his funeral, and music then begins to tell his story starting at the very beginning. In between music’s chapters are other chapters told from guests at the funeral so you get snippets of Frankie’s life out of order. This didn’t bother me so much because it was like you are really at the funeral and people are coming up and sharing stories about the deceased. Again cool!
So here’s the thing. Despite all the coolness of the book, it was boring. I kept waiting on the story to pick up, but it didn’t. It is very much a historical fiction as Frankie interacts with all these iconic rock and roll stars from the 50’s on. Again that part was cool, but I’m sorry to say, not for me. While the story revolves around the deceased Frankie Presto, I felt like I really didn’t know him. His character was flat and undefined. He had very little interaction with people other than to play his guitar.
I was SO disappointed! I adore Mitch Albom and I have since I first read his book Tuesdays With Morrie. He is one of my DEAR (drop everything and read) authors. When I received this book from the publisher I was on cloud-nine and started it immediately. Because I didn’t care for it, I set it aside and restarted it last week. I’m sad to say I couldn’t finish it. Despite the book having Albom’s unique style of writing, I just couldn’t get into the story. If you enjoy historical fiction, are a fan of the rock and roll age, than maybe give it a try. Just because it wasn’t for me doesn’t mean it’s not for you. If you do read it, come let me know how you like it.
Initial Reaction:
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is written by one of my all-time favorite authors MItch Albom. I’ve been raving about wanting/needing this book since I first heard about it a little over a year ago. Sadly, this is the first (and I hope only) time Albom has ever let me down. After making it roughly three-quarters of the way through I had to sit it down. I just wasn’t feeling the characters or the story. In fact I can barely recall what it was about.
Let me first explain what the book is about then I’ll tell you why I didn’t like it. The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto follows the story of the title character after his untimely death on stage. Frankie Presto is a well-known guitarist and each string of his guitar has the ability to change someone’s life forever. Pretty cool concept right?
I loved the idea of a musician – in this case a guitarist – having the ability to change someone’s life through music. It was just cool! Pretty early in the novel you get a glimpse of this happening when Frankie stops a guy from beating up on a girl in a bar just by playing his guitar. Very cool, and I was hooked!
The narrator of the story is Music. Yes, music is an entity, kind of like a sentient being, granting people with the gift of music. He’s very interested in Frankie and Frankie’s untimely death. The story starts at his funeral, and music then begins to tell his story starting at the very beginning. In between music’s chapters are other chapters told from guests at the funeral so you get snippets of Frankie’s life out of order. This didn’t bother me so much because it was like you are really at the funeral and people are coming up and sharing stories about the deceased. Again cool!
So here’s the thing. Despite all the coolness of the book, it was boring. I kept waiting on the story to pick up, but it didn’t. It is very much a historical fiction as Frankie interacts with all these iconic rock and roll stars from the 50’s on. Again that part was cool, but I’m sorry to say, not for me. While the story revolves around the deceased Frankie Presto, I felt like I really didn’t know him. His character was flat and undefined. He had very little interaction with people other than to play his guitar.
I was SO disappointed! I adore Mitch Albom and I have since I first read his book Tuesdays With Morrie. He is one of my DEAR (drop everything and read) authors. When I received this book from the publisher I was on cloud-nine and started it immediately. Because I didn’t care for it, I set it aside and restarted it last week. I’m sad to say I couldn’t finish it. Despite the book having Albom’s unique style of writing, I just couldn’t get into the story. If you enjoy historical fiction, are a fan of the rock and roll age, than maybe give it a try. Just because it wasn’t for me doesn’t mean it’s not for you. If you do read it, come let me know how you like it.