The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto

  • Downloads:5319
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-04-24 13:55:27
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Mitch Albom
  • ISBN:0751541214
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

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 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。

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Reviews

Nicole Smith

This was a really fun book to listen to!Favorite Quotes:•tAll humans are musical。 Why else would the Lord give you a beating heart?•tSometimes I think the greatest talent of all is perseverance, but only sometimes。•tThe blind man swallowed。 His own story was rising in his throat。•tTalent is a piece of God’s shadow, and under that shadow, human stories intersect。•t。。。believing the rhythm, syntax and pitch of languages help the understanding of such things in music。•tThe sleeping part Franky deduc This was a really fun book to listen to!Favorite Quotes:•tAll humans are musical。 Why else would the Lord give you a beating heart?•tSometimes I think the greatest talent of all is perseverance, but only sometimes。•tThe blind man swallowed。 His own story was rising in his throat。•tTalent is a piece of God’s shadow, and under that shadow, human stories intersect。•t。。。believing the rhythm, syntax and pitch of languages help the understanding of such things in music。•tThe sleeping part Franky deduced after Bafa showed him the basilica in Villa Riall, which had been burned and destroyed by bad men。 God would never allow such a thing to happen unless he slept through it, Frankie figured。 … Bad things can happen when you sleep, Franky reasoned, and bad people could get away with evil if they knew when God closed his eyes。 •t“Do not cry over losing blood。 Not for something you love。”•tYou should never construct a lie based on a child’s questions。 It is like writing music based on cymbal crashes。•tTruth is light。 Lies are shadows。 Music is both。•tSilence is a part of music。 But just because something is silent doesn’t mean you aren’t hearing it。•tThere are moments on earth when the Lord smiles at the unexpected sweetness of his creation。 This was one of those moments。•tA song inside a cage is never a song, it is a plea。•tThat is often why you come to music, no? To feel that you are not alone。•tEvery loss leaves a hole in your heart。•tBut, like practicing scales, some things you endure for a reason。•t“The secret is not to make your music louder, but to make the world quieter。”•tMan searches for courage in drink。 But it is not courage that he finds, it is fear that he loses。 A drunken man may step off a cliff, that does not make him brave, just forgetful。•t“Listen。 When you listen, you learn。 Remember that。 In music and in life。”•t“You don’t need much to remember someone, Francisco。 Even one thing will do。”•tSilence enhances music。 What you do not play can sweeten what you do。But it is not the same with words。 What you do not say can haunt you。•t“When you want someone to listen to you, will you attack them?”“No maestro。”“No, you will not。 You will make them hear the beauty of what you are offering and they will want it for themselves。”•tHe recited a gypsy expression that translates to, ‘The hands wash each other’, meaning we are all connected。•t“Why do you want to hear a sad song?”The man took another swig from the flask。 “They’re more true than the happy ones, don’t you think?”“Happy songs can be true, if you’re happy。”•t“How do you know you’re in love, Maestro?”“If you are asking, you are not。”•tIt means, we heal the wounded heart with an oath that reassures it。•t“This is life, things get taken away。 You will learn to start over many times, or you will be useless。”•tWhat happened next would prove both important, and as sometimes occurs with milestone events, totally unexpected。•t“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to learn and be loved in return。”•tAt a certain point your life is more about your legacy to your kids than anything else。•tRooms are rooms, after all。 As a music staff is a music staff。 How you fill them is what makes them your own。•tAnd there are few things emptier than applause when you feel you don’t deserve it。•t“You cannot ask things to do what they are not meant to do, Francisco。 Eventually they will break。”•t“Critically important。 What you’re thinking about can be what you become - good and evil。”•tHe took solace in the vastness of the sea and how small his problems seemed in its wake。•tIn life, as in music, there are measures to play and measures to rest。•t“Memories are not in places, papa。 Memories are in your mind。”•t“When will I be finished learning music, Maestro?”“Never。”“Never?”“You will never know all there is to know。 You will learn until your final days, and then you will inspire someone else。 This is what an artist does。”“What does inspire mean?”“It means you will make someone love music the way you love it。” 。。。more

Bob Wilson

What fun! A great story laced with rock and roll history, thought-provoking observations of life, work and perseverance。 To top it off there’s a guilty-pleasure style love story。 Album makes you laugh, cry, and wonder “what if。” I couldn’t put it down。

Stan Semerod

Music told in wordsThis is a great story of loss, redemption, and especially music。 Only Mr。 Album could write a story that males music so real and mysterious at the same time。 A must read。

Anita

I’ve read several other books by this author and they are all books that resonate with emotion and make the reader think。 This book reflects back on a musician who has been given six (guitar) strings that represent the six people’s lives he touches and changes。 The narrator alternates between telling Frankie’s story and that of the other six people, finally tying it all together at the end (including the narrator’s identity)。 There is music, ambition, family, struggle, love and so much more in t I’ve read several other books by this author and they are all books that resonate with emotion and make the reader think。 This book reflects back on a musician who has been given six (guitar) strings that represent the six people’s lives he touches and changes。 The narrator alternates between telling Frankie’s story and that of the other six people, finally tying it all together at the end (including the narrator’s identity)。 There is music, ambition, family, struggle, love and so much more in this story。 The writing is amazing and I loved how the author intertwined musical terminology and history with the story。 This is the best of this author’s novels in my opinion。 5/5 stars。 。。。more

Gina

I haven't read all of Mitch Albom's books, but I'm a fan。 My favorites include Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven。 This book is now my favorite Albom book。 I haven't read all of Mitch Albom's books, but I'm a fan。 My favorites include Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven。 This book is now my favorite Albom book。 。。。more

Dianna Storey

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Riri

The story was good, everything that happened makes sense in the end, though I find it hard to finish that is why it took me so long lol。 I love the connection made it's like a string indeed。 The story was good, everything that happened makes sense in the end, though I find it hard to finish that is why it took me so long lol。 I love the connection made it's like a string indeed。 。。。more

Magda Swanepoel

An amazing reading experience!

Laura Lewakowski

This one needs to be listened to, and it’s so good! All of the readers are perfect。 I actually gasped out loud at one point。 Very recommendable。

Claire

This book was donated to me by my boyfriend, a former guitar performance major。 As a former oboe performance major, the anxiety of finishing this tome gripped my heart and soul。However, it did not amount to be anything as bad as I imagined it would end up as。What did I end up thinking of it? Well, this book reminded me incredibly much of when I was an active member of an orchestra! When I was a little girl, I was the first oboist of CCYO and PYAO for two or three years in the mid-to-late 2000s ( This book was donated to me by my boyfriend, a former guitar performance major。 As a former oboe performance major, the anxiety of finishing this tome gripped my heart and soul。However, it did not amount to be anything as bad as I imagined it would end up as。What did I end up thinking of it? Well, this book reminded me incredibly much of when I was an active member of an orchestra! When I was a little girl, I was the first oboist of CCYO and PYAO for two or three years in the mid-to-late 2000s (duelling with Andrea), while I did the whole PMEA runaround, ending up in Harrisburg eventually due to my prowess in music - though that was also with band - I remember there were saxophones involved in that ensemble, too。This book does not ACTUALLY have anything to do with the INCREDIBLE pressures I faced though so I was SOOO relieved - it has more to do with the Spanish Revolution, what a relief that I studied that at the university! ~~~Who am I to say whether a narration by Music is Good or Bad? I am Swiss Neutral。 。。。more

Nicole Althouse

I struggled with the first 100 or so pages of this book。 All of a sudden though, it took off and I couldn’t put it down。 I absolutely love the story told!!

Jill Ellerie

Obviously, it narrates the story of Frankie Presto — a musician — whose life has been tragic since birth。 The story revolves on how Frankie's way of playing affects other people。 Mitch narrated his life through timelines (which was not chronologically arranged) and eulogies being spoken during his ceremony。 It is the seventh book I read which was written by him and I honestly cried hard on this book。 Also, Manila, Philippines was mentioned in this book because it is one of the places where Frank Obviously, it narrates the story of Frankie Presto — a musician — whose life has been tragic since birth。 The story revolves on how Frankie's way of playing affects other people。 Mitch narrated his life through timelines (which was not chronologically arranged) and eulogies being spoken during his ceremony。 It is the seventh book I read which was written by him and I honestly cried hard on this book。 Also, Manila, Philippines was mentioned in this book because it is one of the places where Frankie stayed。 。。。more

Kelly Torrance Capozzi

I love everything that Albom writes! I highly recommend the audio version of this book。 Each character is narrated by a different person。 It was so captivating

Kerr Howell

I can honestly say that I love this author's work。 This story was very moving and fun to read。 You come to like some of the characters and then you come to relate to some of the characters but most of all you feel like you're walking and Frankie shoes。 I highly recommend this book。 I can honestly say that I love this author's work。 This story was very moving and fun to read。 You come to like some of the characters and then you come to relate to some of the characters but most of all you feel like you're walking and Frankie shoes。 I highly recommend this book。 。。。more

Renae Chaffin kieffer

Loved every minute!

Ruth Whitehawk

Magic as always。 💖

Sara

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, not being much of a music fan。

Leonie Smith

My new favourite Mitch Albom book。 A captivatingly beautiful story that I was sorry to finish。 Exceptional in every way。 Everyone must read this book。

Lacey

While I did struggle a little getting through it, I am glad I persevered because the ending was perfect。

Alli

This book was very enjoyable to read and had a satisfying ending。 It is a tragic story, and at times a little melodramatic for my taste。 But I enjoyed all the music references and was intrigued by the story。

Sheila

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Author writes from the point of view of music。 Frankie is calmed at birth by Carmencita singing Lagrima-"Tear Drop", a Spanish song。 He is born in Spain during WWII。 The novel may be a bit contrived with the interweaving of fictional characters with real people。Frankie learn to play the guitar from El Maestro in Spain as a child, moves to the US and has a successful career playing。 He also acts, then finally switches to singing。 He early on meets Aurora, looses her and rediscovers her several ti Author writes from the point of view of music。 Frankie is calmed at birth by Carmencita singing Lagrima-"Tear Drop", a Spanish song。 He is born in Spain during WWII。 The novel may be a bit contrived with the interweaving of fictional characters with real people。Frankie learn to play the guitar from El Maestro in Spain as a child, moves to the US and has a successful career playing。 He also acts, then finally switches to singing。 He early on meets Aurora, looses her and rediscovers her several times。 They eventually adopt a daughter。 In the final scene, Frankie plays Lagrima with his daughter in a music competition in his Spanish town prior to his death。At his funeral in Spain many famous musicians com praising Frankie's work, though Frankie and his work are made-up and the musicians are actual people as are their works!My favorite quote from the book: Everyone joins a band in this life。 embodies the interconnectedness between people。 Bands are not just musical。 They're relationships that shape us。 。。。more

Zolutera

Albom is such an amazing storyteller! The timelines get a bit confusing but he ties it all up! I really appreciated the appearances of artists Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, Ingrid Michaelson, etc on the audiobook!

Raz Loay

Wonderful! Amazing novel。。。 Enjoyed every single word of it! Splendid life story that made me just want to meet the so real Frankie (still can't believe that Albom made him up)!!!! A story of love, music, family and extraordinary events that I lived through one by one。。。 Wonderful! Amazing novel。。。 Enjoyed every single word of it! Splendid life story that made me just want to meet the so real Frankie (still can't believe that Albom made him up)!!!! A story of love, music, family and extraordinary events that I lived through one by one。。。 。。。more

Sherri Anderson

A wonderful story。

Monica Hruzd

I have to admit, this book was a little hard to get into at first。 I really liked the point of view that it came from。 About 1/4 of the way through, I really started to enjoy it。 The ending had me SOBBING。

Laura Michelz

Adorable story intertwined with imaginary and real characters。 Sweet story。

Felicia

Just。。。amazing! Best book I’ve read in awhile。

Ashley Lile

“Everyone joins a band in this life。 And what you play always affects someone。” Narrated by Music personified, this book takes you on a journey “Forest Gump-style” through the life of Frankie Presto and his career in music from 1935 to present。 He was a member of many “bands” and played with such greats as Elvis, Hank Williams, Little Richie, and yes, even members of Pearl Jam。 But his life and music are as magical as his glowing blue strings。 All incidents and people (“band members”) are connec “Everyone joins a band in this life。 And what you play always affects someone。” Narrated by Music personified, this book takes you on a journey “Forest Gump-style” through the life of Frankie Presto and his career in music from 1935 to present。 He was a member of many “bands” and played with such greats as Elvis, Hank Williams, Little Richie, and yes, even members of Pearl Jam。 But his life and music are as magical as his glowing blue strings。 All incidents and people (“band members”) are connected。 From the Spanish Civil War and ‘50s Doo-wop to Woodstock and the Juilliard School of Music, Frankie Presto rises and falls, experiences allegro and adagio, and learns that life is a gift given to him by many。 。。。more

Alice

I absolutely loved Mitch Album’s book Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People you Meet in Heaven, but I just couldn’t get into this one!I thought that writing it from the perspective of Music was very interesting, but I didn’t feel any emotional attachment。 I’m a huge music lover but this book felt like it was missing something。 I think perhaps the structure and voice wasn’t right for the story。 Either way, I stuck with it until the end。 A little let down, but excited for the next read。

Kathryn M

This is the first review I have ever posted but thought I'd give it a try。There are a couple of reasons I did not rate this book 5 stars which bothers me because overall I loved this story。 I loved the way the author wove real musicians into the story and I really believed the up and down relationship of Frankie and Aurora。But, here is where it broke down for me。 In the beginning I felt it channeled Forest Gump a little too much。 Just like Forest found himself inserted in all of the major histor This is the first review I have ever posted but thought I'd give it a try。There are a couple of reasons I did not rate this book 5 stars which bothers me because overall I loved this story。 I loved the way the author wove real musicians into the story and I really believed the up and down relationship of Frankie and Aurora。But, here is where it broke down for me。 In the beginning I felt it channeled Forest Gump a little too much。 Just like Forest found himself inserted in all of the major historical events of his time, I felt it was just too much to believe that Frankie played with Elvis, even becoming Elvis, and the myriad of other great musicians of every genre available to the author。 The other issue I had was with the ending reveal (spoiler alert) where his "foster" mother ended up following him all over the world and saving him throughout。 Music was more believable as the narrator than this woman was as a protector。 。。。more