Magic Strings of Frankie Presto (Reprint) (Paperback) (Mitch Albom)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

"Talent is a piece of God's shadow, and under that shadow, human stories intersect."

A Spanish war orphan born in a burning church and raised by a blind guitar teacher, Frankie Presto was gifted with extraordinary musical abilities that shape not only his life but the lives of those around him. At nine years old, Frankie meets the love of his life, Aurora; that same day, civil war tears apart his home and he is sent to America, smuggled in the bottom of a boat with only guitar and six strings imbued with the power to change lives.

Relying on music to survive, Frankie's talent weaves him through the musical landscape of the twentieth century, from Detroit's jazz scene and the Grand Ole Opry, to Elvis mania and Woodstock--all the while searching for Aurora.

As his fame grows, Frankie finds love, friendship, and celebrity. Even so, his gift becomes his burden, driving a wedge between him and his beloved Aurora--now his wife. Overwhelmed by life, loss, and the power of his strings, Frankie disappears for years, only to reemerge in a spectacular and mysterious farewell.

With its Forrest Gump-like journey through the music world, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a classic in the making. "Everyone joins a band in this life," Albom observes, "only some of them play music."

From the Back Cover

Mitch Albom's most critically acclaimed novel yet is a stunningly original tale of love: love between a man and a woman, between an artist and his mentor, and between a musician and his God-given talent.

Narrated by the voice of Music itself, the story follows Frankie Presto, a war orphan born in a burning church, through his extraordinary journey around the world. Raised by a blind guitar teacher in Spain and gifted with a talent to change people's lives--using six mysterious blue strings--Frankie navigates the musical landscape of the twentieth century, from the 1950s jazz scene to the Grand Ole Opry to Elvis mania and Woodstock, all the while searching for his childhood love.

As he becomes a famous star, he loses his way, until tragedy steals his ability to play the guitar that had so defined him. Overwhelmed by his loss, Frankie disappears for decades, reemerging late in life for one spectacular yet mystifying farewell.

Part love story, part magical mystery, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is Mitch Albom at his finest, a Forrest Gump-like epic about one man's journey to discover what truly matters and the power of talent to change our lives.

Review Quotes

"Albom's The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto hits the right notes. Albom's love for music is richly apparent... and his maxims about life will no doubt bring readers on a pleasantly sentimental journey about the bandmates in their lives."--USA Today

"A beautiful story that forces us to think about the concept of a life well lived...Albom brings his literary magic once again."--Huffington Post

"Albom can say in one sentence what others can spend a lifetime trying to convey."--The Book Wheel

"Albom's fable about the power of song carries you along like a beautiful melody."--People

"As always, Albom's novel has a larger message...and The Magic Strings of Frankie Pesto resonates with a kind of cosmic connection."--Miami New Times

"What an entertainer! Mitch Albom, author, playwright, screenwriter, nationally syndicated columnist - and philanthropist, as his audience learned, was a charmer...There seemed to be no end to this man's talents."--NorthJersey.com

"Within a few pages, you'll be as delighted with this sparkling book as I was. Start it, stick with it, and you'll find 'The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto to be a book of note."--Yankton Daily Press