A Musical, Magical Tale

Book Buzz is a blog produced in collaboration with neighborhood librarians from Houston Public Library, Harris County Public Library and the Bellaire Library.

The magic strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom

Everyone joins a band in this life, Music said.

Frankie Presto, the greatest guitarist in the world has died, and Music is there to claim its prize and so begins the story of The magic strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom. This novel released in late 2015 is a music lover’s delight. Narrated by Music, but also told by the many voices of real musicians, this remarkable story is set against the backdrop of major events in the 20th century and richly steeped in the history of music from jazz to rock and roll.

Born in a time of violence, during the Spanish Civil War, Frankie Presto begins his adventures through life, orphaned, but infused with the gift of music and an extraordinary guitar that has the power to change people’s lives. In his journey, Frankie will meet and influence in one form or another, some of music’s greats, including Duke Ellington, Django Reinhardt, Lyle Lovett, Tony Bennett and Darlene Love.

The magic strings of Frankie Presto is a thoroughly enjoyable read; an intricate tale of love, loss and passion that weaves itself through history and ultimate comes full circle. We join and leave many bands in our lives and in the process we touch the lives of others and build significant communities, much in the manner in which meaningful music is created.

“But in each band you join you will play a distinct part, and it will affect you as much as you affect it. And, as is usually the fate with bands, most of them will break up - through distance, differences divorce or death.”

The intersection of the character’s lives, the clever allusions to music and a good blend of fantasy and mystery simply takes the form of that book you do not want to end.

Other titles by Mitch Albom include:

• Tuesdays with Morrie
• The Five People You Meet in Heaven
• For One More Day
• Have a Little Faith: A True Story
• The Time Keeper
• The First Phone Call from Heaven

You can find these books at your local library in a variety of formats as well as The Magic Strings Of Frankie Presto: A Musical Companion, a collection of music and songs.