The narrative ensemble, which includes the author, is an inspired choice for this production. Their collective talents prove equal to a story with an extensive cast and a magical blend of realism and fantasy. Omniscient narrator Music sets the pace and guides listeners through the captivating tale of an orphan whose guitar, with its magic strings, changes lives as he plays with some of the most celebrated bands of the twentieth century. Wisely, the narrators don’t attempt mimicry, yet they manage to effectively portray the voices of some musical icons. As these personalities tell Frankie's story, the narrators' perfect timing and pacing effectively deliver Albom's wonderfully natural dialogue. The fortunate listener who can briefly suspend disbelief will be rewarded with one of this season's true audio gems. M.O.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine
Maybe we’re biased, but we happen to believe that receiving a B&N gift card is one of the best things about Christmas (or any holiday, for that matter). You get to experience not only the fun of opening your gift card and daydreaming about all the awesome books that might be in your future, but the […]
Anyone who has tried to make a living as a writer knows it’s hardly an easy road, and one piece of advice has held true since “working on that novel” became a thing: don’t quit your day job—even if you hate it. In addition to keeping you housed and fed, that day job hate can actually be a […]
We love summer, and few things are as satisfying as lazing on the beach with a great book, but we must admit, we’re thrilled it’s finally fall again. Cooler weather brings the perfect opportunity to cozy up with a warm cup of cider and an engrossing book. Here are eight releases coming over the next few […]
Mitch Albom’s new novel The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a modern-day myth, combining magic, music, and pop culture into a powerful, inspirational story. Beginning in the midst of the Spanish Civil War and ranging across decades and settings from New York City to New Zealand, the story chronicles a single fictional life with such passion and honest emotion—not […]
Fall is here, bringing with it all the chilly weather you need to justify canceling your plans and staying home reading. And this month’s most exciting fiction picks deliver, with a new collection from storytelling master Stephen King, a philosophical parable from actor-author Ethan Hawke, and a decades-spanning epic on life, love, and music from the inimitable […]