Frankie

Frankie by Graham Norton is quite a story. I don't feel that I read the book but rather that I lived it. I must confess there were times I was near tears.

The story begins with the title character, Frankie, older and recovering from a fall. A caregiver has been hired to look after her, but she is resistant. Gradually, Frankie learns that this caregiver, Damian, is from a place very near where her life started. As Frankie warms to Damian, she begins to share stories of her life. While the context shifts from present to past and back many times, it is handled so smoothly that you will never lose track.

Mr Norton spins a tale that begins in Frankie's childhood and goes forward into her later years. The characters are well developed and richly drawn. You are sure to fall in love with some of them - as well as wondering how some others can be so self-centered. I found the book almost impossible to put down, reading it with a voracious appetite. A few of the characters were so imbued with personality and richness of character that I wanted them to be real people that I could yet meet. Kudos to Mr Norton for his newest book. I feel that is shows his wit and the depth of his heart. I would be honored to read any of his other books.

Awww, I think this is my favorite Graham Norton book to date!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for fair review.
Give me an elderly person recounting their story to a young friend and I instantly hooked. I loved the dual timeline, the setting and time, the characters. I think Norton nailed the historical aspects of the aids epidemic of the 80s. There's definitely a feeling of humor and love in there.
I wish there were half stars because I would give this a 4.5, but I wouldnt call it a 5 star.
Well done Graham. When's the next one?
4*
LGBTQ themes. 1950s Ireland. 1980s NYC. AIDS.

Thanks to HarperVia and NetGalley for this digital ARC of Graham Norton's 'Frankie.'

I've enjoyed Graham Norton's novels so was happy to read his latest, 'Frankie.'

In this book we're told the life story of Frankie/Frances through a series of conversations with a young gay nighttime home help who happens to come from the same part of West Cork in Ireland that she does. We revisit her early life in Cork, her emigration to London, and subsequently to New York, and her return to London. There's a rich cast of characters in all three locations and we're introduced to the society and culture - along with their many restrictions - of their mid-20th century existence. It's a soft-focus (in the main) tale but does tackle issues of sexuality, class, and the church - Catholic and Protestant - in Ireland at the time, so not entirely without teeth.

His fiction is a lot different from the more outrageous persona he shows on his chat show so be prepared for more of a 21st century Maeve Binchy than the risqué approach of his TV career personality.

I do not typically read novels outside of historical romance, but I am so glad I gave Frankie a try. Having watched The Graham Norton Show for years, I was expecting a comedic take on the heroine’s life. I am completely astounded by the level of compassion I felt for Frankie, as she navigates the successes and trials of her life. The author was able to keep the forward momentum of Frankie’s story, while interweaving the present. I was brought to tears when her found family was affected by the AIDS crisis. The loneliness the elderly Frankie feels, slowly melts away with the growing companionship of her carer Damien. It just goes to show that behind every person is a story. Some will be fantastical like Frankie’s, others more mundane, but all worth living.

I will be recommending this novel to my friends and coworkers, as well as leaving a review on Amazon and Goodreads.

I enjoyed how good the historical fiction element was in this story. It uses the time-period perfectly and was invested in what was happening. The characters had that charm and realism that I was expecting and glad I got to read this story with them. Graham Norton has a great writing style and left me wanting more like this.