5 Stars from me
Read this for book club and oh I loved it!
I wish it were the case that all home care was like this, bringing personal quality and appreciation of someone’s journey through life alongside the care. What an absolute angel from above Damian was for Frankie.
I also loved Frankie and Nor’s friendship – this is literally the stuff of dreams. And what a life and what a journey Frankie went on. So many highs and so many lows.
Norton balances some very serious subjects, and very sad situations, beautifully well as the book overall doesn’t feel sad, despite it’s many endings.
Frankie brings touchingly well crafted prose and a captivating story, featuring some standout characters – of which Frankie is of course the queen.
I read this feeling like I dearly wanted to visit for a cup of tea with Frankie and to see her old apartment, have lunch in the Pomme and that is testament to just how vibrantly this world was created.
Blurb: Frankie Howe has lived a long life, her small flat is crammed full of art, furniture – and memories. Damian, her young carer, listens as she gradually tells him parts of her story – a story that takes us into a progressive, daring world of New York artists on the brink of fame, aspiring writers and larger-than-life characters.
Always just on the periphery, looking on, young Frankie is never quite sure enough of herself to take centre stage. But the outsider holds certain advantages, sees things others don’t, can influence without drawing attention. And when the map has been lost, it’s anyone’s guess where you may end up, or the accidental choices you find you have made. Frankie discovers that life is not always the one we hope for, or the one others expect of us.
Travelling from post-war Ireland to the dazzling art scene of 1960s New York by way of London, Frankie is an immersive, decade-sweeping novel about love, bravery and what it means to live a significant life.
Book Club Questions:
- Frankie’s story unfolds gradually through her conversations with Damian. How did this narrative structure affect your understanding of her character?The novel moves between post-war Ireland, 1960s New York, and modern-day London. How do these settings shape Frankie’s journey and choices?
- Frankie often feels like an outsider. In what ways does this sense of otherness influence her relationships and decisions?
- Damian plays a key role in drawing out Frankie’s past. What do you think he learns from her, and how does their bond evolve?
- How does Norton explore the theme of living a significant life? Do you think Frankie ultimately finds peace with her past?
- Were there moments in Frankie’s life that surprised you? How did your perception of her change as the story progressed?
- Discuss the role of secrets in the novel. How do they protect and harm the characters?
- How does Norton use humor and tenderness to balance the novel’s more serious themes?
Read and Rated 