Status Updates From The Magic Strings of Franki...

"All humans are musical. Why else would the Lord give you a beating heart?"

Frankie Presto and his ability to change 6 lives with his 6 strings. Story of a boy born during war time in a church, thrown away in a river who is found by a man who helps his son escape to America. then his journey of about 30 years and plus where he meets form The Beatles to Elvis. Then his personal life changes and he disappears. His love Aurora and a guardian angel by his side.
I loved the book. Magic & Music.

Slow reading due to busy week. Hope to catch myself up in next few days.

Such an incredible book thus far. --We are all part of a band

I'm loving this book so much.

As a child, he suffered greatly, and for his suffering, he was granted a gift. A set of strings that empowered him to change lives.

There is a reason you glance up when you first hear a melody, or tap your foot to the sound of a drum. All humans are musical. Why else would the Lord give you a beating heart?

Observations so far: -Narrator is Music - Music sprinkles its essence on gifted musicians when they are born -Frankie Presto born during Spanish Civil War and smuggled to America. Should be interesting.

Just about to meet Cecile (York) Peterson, Sister of Aurora York (Frankie's only true love).

Frankie meet many famous musicians but doesn't really know who they really are. For example: Burt Bacharach and Hank Williams. Each person he encounters helps set the stage for the rest of his life.

This author never disappoints me.

Frankie is on his way to America (however he doesn't know anything about it.). He's still just a child. El Maestro has planned Frankie's escape according to Frankie's Papa's instructions and using Papa's money.

Only 2 magic strings left.

Just starting Chapter 4 of this sixth novel by Albom. If his first five are any indication, this one will be exceptional. The main character is "Frankie Presto" , young musical prodigy who has just died. MUSIC is our narrator. MUSIC tells us that we are all born with differing degrees of music abilities, so not so good (bad) others much better (verging on Brilliance). You can guess where Frankie ]'s talents lie.

Just starting Chapter 4 and I am so totally engaged with the novel..I started it last evening and read until my eyes wanted to close. Mitch Albom once again presents us with a wonderful storyline and a great cast of characters. This story is told by MUSIC. According to MUSIC, we all have it, just some of us has more music talent than others. I will continue to "read on"!

Not exactly sure how far I am into the book. I am at the point where Frankie and Aurora are at Woodstock and Aurora is pregnant wanting breakfast. Frankie is high on drugs and can't fine his way back to her after buying eggs . And at the same time, I am brought back to their marriage with Aurora's sister discussing it. 3 of Frankie's guitar strings have turned blue and he realizes there is magic in the strings.

Gahd. My eyes. Waterworks.

I am listening to this book. Mitch Albom is reading the part of Music and other individuals are reading the parts of the people, who have known Frankie. Enjoying it.

The author keeps revisiting Frankie at Woodstock countless times, but never finishes the story. The people at his funeral also keep mentioning that he died onstage, during a performance. I'm thinking that Frankie probably died during his performance at Woodstock. (Prediction)

"I saw Frankie just sitting by himself in one of those director chairs, sort of half asleep. He perked up when he saw me." The author keeps hinting at Frankie being unhappy in his new marriage with Delores through small actions like this, further emphasizing that he truly loves Aurora. (Inferences)

Music says, "But in my countless creations, there has never been a sound for 'career'. Why do you let it affect me so?" I can see a theme here; the author is trying to convey, through Music's confusion about humanity, that it is so much more than humans make it out to be. Music is pure and naturally fundamental-- we humans demean it by thinking that we have control over it through making it a career. (Themes)

"They drove for three days, from the American South to the American West, and when they reached the coast, just before dusk, Frankie noted that the sun looked like a giant orange." I think the author is trying to hint that Frankie and Aurora's time in Los Angeles won't be happy. Earlier in the book, Frankie regarded oranges as painful reminders of his childhood in Villareal. (Inferences)

As soon as Frankie started playing "Maalaala Mo Kaya", the song he played for Aurora the first day they met as children, I knew that she would somehow appear on the scene. This book can be kind of predictable in that way- as soon as all hope is lost for Frankie when searching for her, Aurora comes to him. (Prediction)

"For my disciples, the map is simple. All lonely roads lead back to music. I embrace you. I forgive you. I will never leave you." I love this quote so much because I can relate to it completely. In some of my darkest moments in life, I have turned to music for comfort and strength, and it has never failed me. (Connection)

Two parts of this story don't line up. Later in the book, when revisiting Carmencita's death, the author says that she dies in the church the day the raiders come to overthrow it. Earlier in the book, Carmencita survives the raid, and lives for several months while raising Frankie. I am very confused! (Argue)

"Do not attack the strings, Francisco... Make them hunger for your next note. Same as in life. When you want someone to listen to you, will you attack them? No, you will not. You will make them hear the beauty of what you are offering, and they will want it for themselves." I often feel that the music that subtly draws you in resonates better with the soul than the music that forces you to listen. (Connection)

I love how the author switches between Music's narration and the stories of the people who met Frankie, talking at his funeral. You get an omniscient view of Frankie's life and the lives of all musicians, then you get sucked into Frankie's story, then you are pulled back to reality when the scene of the funeral comes back into view. (Writer's Strategies)

"'Remember this, Francisco,' he said. 'The secret is not to make your music louder, but to make the world quieter.'" (Favorites)

"Alberto stared at the velvet sack of money. El Maestro, of course, could not see his face. But I could. I saw a look that I have seen many times when new riches are within reach. The eyes get smaller. The lips tighten." I am sensing a change in Alberto. I predict that this money will instill greed within him and cause him to make some evil decision. (Prediction)

"Sometimes the boy would wake up in the morning and smell a faint trace of perfume." The author keeps hinting signs of a woman being in the apartment, even though only Frankie and El Maestro are living there at this time. Is El Maestro secretly seeing someone? Did he formerly have a wife? Is he a cross-dresser? Hm. (Ask)