The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom

About the Book

★★★★★

Mitch Albom creates a magical world through his love of music in this remarkable new novel about the power of talent to change our lives.

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 reappear just 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.

I didn’t know quite what to expect when I picked up The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, but for some reason, I certainly didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Now, I can easily say, it is a highly enjoyable and worthwhile read, and I have no problem recommending it. In this novel, Mitch Albom tells a captivating, musical, beautiful tale of the life of Frankie Presto. Well-written with a great style and full of interesting characters, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a surprisingly hard-to-put-down book and will not leave interested readers disappointed. Read it.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours, I received a copy of The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions of the novel, click here.

About the Author

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.

Find out more about Mitch at his website, connect with him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter, and sign up for his newsletter.