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The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto: A Novel by Mitch Albom | Summary & Analysis
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom | Summary & Analysis
Preview:
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom is a novel about the fictional musician Frankie Presto and his amazing journey through music and life. Frankie’s life story is told from the perspective of music, a fictional narrator. This is fitting, given that Frankie was one of the world’s greatest guitarists.
The story, however, begins at its Frankie has died during a music festival. During a performance, his body levitates and then drops to the stage. The novel opens at Frankie’s funeral, where music-industry figures—including nonfictional musicians such as Lyle Lovett and Ingrid Michaelson—have gathered to pay their respects and share their thoughts about the deceased guitarist. Music, the narrator, uses the opportunity of the funeral to reflect on Frankie’s life…
PLEASE This is a summary and analysis of the book and NOT the original book.
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Preview:
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom is a novel about the fictional musician Frankie Presto and his amazing journey through music and life. Frankie’s life story is told from the perspective of music, a fictional narrator. This is fitting, given that Frankie was one of the world’s greatest guitarists.
The story, however, begins at its Frankie has died during a music festival. During a performance, his body levitates and then drops to the stage. The novel opens at Frankie’s funeral, where music-industry figures—including nonfictional musicians such as Lyle Lovett and Ingrid Michaelson—have gathered to pay their respects and share their thoughts about the deceased guitarist. Music, the narrator, uses the opportunity of the funeral to reflect on Frankie’s life…
PLEASE This is a summary and analysis of the book and NOT the original book.
Inside this Instaread Summary & Analysis of The Magic Strings of Frankie Summary of book
Introduction to the Important People in the book
Analysis of the Themes and Author’s Style
About the Author With Instaread, you can get the summary and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, summarize and analyze it for your convenience.
18 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2015
36 people are currently reading
635 people want to read
About the author
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926 books292 followersWith Instaread, you can get the summary and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, summarize and analyze it for your convenience.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
June 21, 2020
Frankie Presto guitar strings are magic. When one wold turn blue a life changing event would happen.
Frankie's life full of extraordinary events started as a young orphan learning to play the guitar. The talent he had took him all over the world.
All of his musical connections changed the world.
Frankie's life full of extraordinary events started as a young orphan learning to play the guitar. The talent he had took him all over the world.
All of his musical connections changed the world.
December 18, 2015
This was beautifully written! I thought it being from the perspective of music would be weird, but it was so well done! It was heart-warming yet heartbreaking and gave me all the feels. Highly recommend!
February 21, 2017
Amazing story! Listened to audio version and it was fantastic!!!
February 25, 2025
A lovely book from a great author
Read
October 31, 2019Mitch Albom creates his most unforgettable fictional character—Frankie Presto, the greatest guitarist to ever walk the earth—in this magical novel about the bands we join in life and the power of talent to change our lives.
In his most stunning novel yet, 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.
With its Forest Gump-like romp through the music world, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a classic in the making. A lifelong musician himself, Mitch Albom delivers a remarkable novel, infused with the message that “everyone joins a band in this life” and those connections change us all.
https://www.fahasa.com/
In his most stunning novel yet, 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.
With its Forest Gump-like romp through the music world, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a classic in the making. A lifelong musician himself, Mitch Albom delivers a remarkable novel, infused with the message that “everyone joins a band in this life” and those connections change us all.
https://www.fahasa.com/
October 27, 2016
Awesome audio book experience!
July 8, 2025
I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down. It is an emotional musical symphony about the power of music to heal, to hurt, and to connect us to one another. It defies a simple genre classification—part fantasy, part historical fiction. The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is narrated by the voice of "Music," who opens the novel at Frankie’s funeral and guides the reader through his extraordinary life. As Music interviews famous musicians and artists who crossed paths with Frankie, the novel weaves together real historical moments from the world of music with Frankie’s fictional journey. This gives the story a unique depth and richness, placing it firmly in a time and place while still embracing magical elements.
Frankie is born during the Spanish Civil War and lives a life marked by both incredible talent and heartbreaking loss. Gifted with six "magic" guitar strings, each string glows and snaps whenever he uses his music to profoundly change a life—sometimes saving someone, sometimes at great personal cost. His gift is both a blessing and a burden, as he discovers the emotional price of using music to influence the lives of others.
At the heart of Frankie’s story is his enduring love for Aurora, a relationship that is both beautiful and tragic. His music is inseparable from his love and his grief—he pours both into every note he plays. His journey is one of redemption, longing, and the search for purpose in a life filled with extraordinary highs and devastating lows.
Frankie is born during the Spanish Civil War and lives a life marked by both incredible talent and heartbreaking loss. Gifted with six "magic" guitar strings, each string glows and snaps whenever he uses his music to profoundly change a life—sometimes saving someone, sometimes at great personal cost. His gift is both a blessing and a burden, as he discovers the emotional price of using music to influence the lives of others.
At the heart of Frankie’s story is his enduring love for Aurora, a relationship that is both beautiful and tragic. His music is inseparable from his love and his grief—he pours both into every note he plays. His journey is one of redemption, longing, and the search for purpose in a life filled with extraordinary highs and devastating lows.
July 7, 2021
I was so hooked at this book! it's heart warming to know Frankie's story in different povs. I got to know his love for family, music and the good deeds he made while he's alive. It's very unique because the one telling the story is 'Music'. The story is literally narrated by music itself.
Frankie had a very tough childhood but also with a lof of memories. He's so lucky that he's got the talent in playing guitar and singing that a person like me can't never relate lmao.
Frankie parting to her Baffa and El Maestro is a heartache!!
Reading this book, I also learned a lot of musical terms! I love the fact that it's not all about Frankie Presto, but also some musicians that already died and Music retrieving the gift of music to each of them.
Frankie Presto was motivated and also motivated others in his journey of life << !!!
I stan musicians and reading this book made me think of what kind of life they will have in the next 10 years. Are they going to stop singing and dancing? writing song? producing song? This book made me think of things like that.
Frankie had a very tough childhood but also with a lof of memories. He's so lucky that he's got the talent in playing guitar and singing that a person like me can't never relate lmao.
Frankie parting to her Baffa and El Maestro is a heartache!!
Reading this book, I also learned a lot of musical terms! I love the fact that it's not all about Frankie Presto, but also some musicians that already died and Music retrieving the gift of music to each of them.
Frankie Presto was motivated and also motivated others in his journey of life << !!!
I stan musicians and reading this book made me think of what kind of life they will have in the next 10 years. Are they going to stop singing and dancing? writing song? producing song? This book made me think of things like that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2021
O.k., so I really like Mitch Albom as a person. He lives near Detroit and does so much work for charities there and has opened and underwrites an orphanage in Haiti. I first got to know his stuff as a sports writer for The Detroit Free Press and also due to his sports-talk-type radio show in the same city. "Tuesdays with Morrie" which is non-fiction was outstanding.
His novels I find to be a little bit on the sappy side, but still, I generally enjoy them. "The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto" requires a bit of effort to get to the "willing suspension of disbelief" but it's entertaining. An interesting feature is that the narrator is not a person, but a 'talent' -- music.
I have no musical abilities whatsoever so much of his allusions went over my head, but it is a cool approach to the fictional biography he tells. Recommended.
His novels I find to be a little bit on the sappy side, but still, I generally enjoy them. "The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto" requires a bit of effort to get to the "willing suspension of disbelief" but it's entertaining. An interesting feature is that the narrator is not a person, but a 'talent' -- music.
I have no musical abilities whatsoever so much of his allusions went over my head, but it is a cool approach to the fictional biography he tells. Recommended.
January 31, 2025
Is this based on The Magic Typewriter Keys Of Mitch Albom? A fantastically novel fantastic novel. Not nearly as gut wrenching sad as some of Albom’s other works, however you would have to be a sociopath not to experience some feelings while reading this his fifth book. Mitch knows how to tug at heartstrings while spinning his tale, but PLEASE don’t let this put you off, but think of the great gifts of turning a phrase and getting a reader to feel emotionally engaged with words and storytelling. The time periods covered are tied together well with the life experiences of the protagonist and the narrator of this tale is different, imaginative and appropriate to the story itself. This is a work that if revisited at a future date would let you enjoy again and possibly discover something more. Also remember that Mitch actually is in a band, so there is that musical connection.
February 5, 2023
Glad I took the advice of other reviews and listened to the audiobook. The cast is wonderful and truly add to the enjoyment. Highly imaginative and intriguing, the structure of the story weaves back and forth across the lifetime of Frankie from birth through death. Albom does an excellent job of keeping the reader centered and aware of exactly where they are in time and season of Frankie's life, allowing his adventures and experiences to be on center stage and connecting the past and future with the present. Music lovers and creators will appreciate the unique perspective of the narrator. This tale brought to mind the spectacular life and times of Forrest Gump.
May 7, 2018
ExcelIent writing, but I would not expect less from this author. Some unlikely happenings which this reader is ready to accept, but my patience starts to wear thin when Frankie Presto is all over the globe, wherever he's needed even if it's an out-of-the-way island in New Zealand or a university in the Philippines. For the second half of the book. he hops all over the globe and this reader loses interest in him, though keeping enough to finish the book. Not as good a read as it sets out to be.
November 20, 2023
It's been several years since I've read The Magic Strings of FP, but it remains securely in my top 10 favorite modern works of fiction. I remember devouring the pages in a matter of days! Frankie may be a fictional character, but he is masterfully weaved throughout familiar bits of European and American history, making this book extremely easy to read despite being full of twists and plot turns. I'm a huge fan of Mitch Albom, and this is my favorite book of his; I highly recommend!
February 18, 2017
Love Mitch Albom. Love this book. Twists and turns. So beautiful.
June 14, 2017
A great read!
August 5, 2017
Finished this last year; not sure why it just appeared on my list.
November 1, 2018
It was good, but it dragged on too long for my taste. Very creative writer.
January 1, 2019
soo good! i loved it. it felt so real, and i loved that it was music telling the story.
July 6, 2020
Clever weave
October 16, 2020
Great book.
The audio is amazing the guest voices from the real people themselves.
The audio is amazing the guest voices from the real people themselves.
April 12, 2021
This book ranks as one of my all-tune favorites!!!
August 14, 2021
Not my cup of tea. Read it and while interesting, I had to keep focused on finishing it.
December 4, 2021
Loved!!!
July 19, 2022
one of my favorite books
September 9, 2022
Absolutely beaitiful and captivating! Highly recommended!!
January 6, 2023
I loved this book. I recommended it to my bookclub and it is our January read. You will not want to put it down
January 16, 2023
One of my all time favorite authors and this story is unforgettable. I love the in depth visualization of emotions felt throughout the book. You don't have to be into music to love this book.
March 5, 2023
Unforgettable; a book I'll never forget.
April 2, 2023
I have yet to reads book by Mitch Albom that didn’t move me in some way, Frankie Presto is one of my favorites.
His non-fiction is also outstanding.
His non-fiction is also outstanding.
April 9, 2023
Loved this book. Having a music background does bring this story close. Written well and at times brought me to tears. You must read this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews