A dazzling, decades-sweeping story about love, bravery and what it means to live a significant life.
Always on the periphery, looking on, young Frankie Howe was never quite sure enough of herself to take centre stage – after all, life had already judged her harshly. Now old, Frankie finds it easier to forget the life that came before.
Then Damian, a young Irish carer, arrives at her London flat, there to keep an eye on her as she recovers from a fall. A memory is sparked, and the past crackles into life as Damian listens to the story Frankie has kept stored away all these years.
Travelling from post-war Ireland to 1960s New York – a city full of art, larger than life characters and turmoil – Frankie shares a world in which friendship and chance encounters collide. A place where, for a while, life blazes with an intensity that can’t last but will perhaps live on in other ways and in other people. But as Frankie’s past slowly emerges, her spirit and endurance are revealed as undeniable … and unforgettable.
Graham Norton has written four other novels, all Sunday Times bestsellers, in the UK and Ireland. His fiction writing has won him critical acclaim from across all media and the literary community.
There’s something hilariously sad about Norton’s newest venture into publishing, Frankie. From the moment Frankie Howe was introduced, I was immediately drawn to her beautiful story. I liked Frankie as though she were a friend, and hearing about her youthful past was warming and made me ponder about my own life. This book really did feel life-changing.
Norton’s writing prose is smooth like butter but also powerful at times, leaving quite a punch with how some of the chapters end. There’s also a quirky atmosphere in the book once we traverse through Frankie’s past. She clearly shares many similarities to her author with a wise perspective on life, a fun sense of humour and a delightful amount of etiquette and elegance. Trust me, you’ll want to get to the last page. Frankie’s lovable, but as Norton has teased, she never felt like the main character in her life.
Once I had finished the book, I found myself reminiscing on its incredible setting–post-war Ireland and 1960s New York. Both locations are illustrated with immaculate detail. Norton does a fantastic job at placing you into Frankie’s shoes. In New York, she’s excited, but also fearful, and guess what? So was I! I enjoyed Frankie with all of my heart and plan on reading it again and again. Want a book about the ups and down of life, Frankie is the book for you!
Graham Norton is one of the UK’s best-loved comedians and presenters. Born in Clondalkin, a suburb of Dublin, he first appeared on television as Noel Furlong’s father on the show Father Ted in the early 1990s. Norton then took over British television with his own shows So Graham Norton and V Graham Norton. Since 2007, he has hosted his own popular show The Graham Norton Show, which has brought him even more fame.
Graham Norton is indeed one of the UK’s most beloved comedians and presenters. His rise to fame began with his role as Noel Furlong’s father on Father Ted, and he quickly became a staple of British television with shows like So Graham Norton and V Graham Norton. Since 2007, The Graham Norton Show has cemented his place as a household name. If you’re in the mood for some excitement after watching his show, maybe try your luck at gambling website who knows, it could be your lucky night!