Title: The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto
Author: Mitch Albom
Rating: ★★★★★
Provided Synopsis: This is the epic story of Frankie Presto—the greatest guitar player who ever lived—and the six lives he changed with his six magical blue strings
Frankie, born in a burning church, abandoned as an infant, and raised by a music teacher in a small Spanish town, until war rips his life apart. At nine years old, he is sent to America in the bottom of a boat. His only possession is an old guitar and six precious strings. His amazing journey weaves him through the musical landscape of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, with his stunning playing and singing talent affecting numerous stars (Duke Ellington, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley) until, as if predestined, he becomes a pop star himself.
He makes records. He is adored. 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. At the height of his popularity, tortured by his biggest mistake, he vanishes. His legend grows. Only decades later, having finally healed his heart, does Frankie reappearjust before his spectacular death—to change one last life. With the Spirit of Music as our guide, we glimpse into the lives that were changed by one man whose strings could touch the music—and the magic—in each of us.
A lifelong musician, Mitch Albom’s passion shines through on every page. Written with an ear for rhythm and cadence, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a classic in the making. Heartrending and inventive, Albom’s latest is infused with the message that “everyone joins a band in this life”—and that music, like love, has the power to affect us all.
Review: The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is one of those books that demonstrate why I love to read.
From the very beginning I was captivated by this story. The reader is introduced to the narrator, Music, who is to go on to tell the life of one of his most treasured disciples, Frankie Presto. As someone who loved the narration of Death in The Book Thief, this storytelling technique worked very well for me. Music bestows talent upon those who reach for its color at birth, and it also collects from a person once they leave the world. The narration lent even more magic to the story with the conversational tone it took up with the reader, because in that tone I could detect the passion Music had for those who loved it as much as it loved them.
And because of the love Music had for Frankie, I was able to connect with him and those important people in his life whom he would go on to form bands with. I always wanted the best for him, I always found myself rooting for him and for something good to finally happen to him. In the end, this book is about many things, but what I will take from it to be the most beautiful is the ability of people to connect and contribute to Frankie’s journey like I did, and how that exhibited kindness and openness of the heart is the true magic that can change the lives of the many bands people join in life.
No words could ever do justice to how beautiful I found this book and how much it touched me.
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