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The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto
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The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out. An allegory about the power of belief - and a page-turner that will touch your soul - Albom's masterful storytelling has never been so moving and unexpected.
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Loved it!
- By Kristine Blackwell on 2019-01-29
-
Have a Little Faith
- Written by: Mitch Albom
- Narrated by: Mitch Albom
- Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 4
What if our beliefs were not what divided us, but what pulled us together? In Have a Little Faith, Mitch Albom offers a beautifully written story of a remarkable eight-year journey between two worlds - two men, two faiths, two communities - that will inspire readers everywhere.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Not my favorite
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-
The Next Person You Meet in Heaven
- The Sequel to The Five People You Meet in Heaven
- Written by: Mitch Albom
- Narrated by: Mitch Albom
- Length: 3 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 45
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 42
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 42
Fifteen years ago, in Mitch Albom’s beloved novel, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, the world fell in love with Eddie, a grizzled war veteran turned amusement park mechanic who died saving the life of a young girl named Annie. Eddie’s journey to heaven taught him that every life matters. Now, in this magical sequel, Mitch Albom reveals Annie’s story.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great sequel to Five People You Meet in Heaven
- By Kaley on 2019-07-26
-
For One More Day
- Written by: Mitch Albom
- Narrated by: Mitch Albom
- Length: 3 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 13
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 11
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 12
As a child, Charley "Chick" Benetto was told by his father, "You can be a mama's boy or a daddy's boy, but you can't be both." So he chooses his father, only to see the man disappear when Charley is on the verge of adolescence. Decades later, Charley is a broken man. His life has been crumbled by alcohol and regret. He loses his job. He leaves his family. He hits bottom after discovering his only daughter has shut him out of her wedding. And he decides to take his own life.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A Parents Love Is Never Ending
- By ReJane LaForme on 2019-01-20
-
Tuesdays with Morrie
- 20th Anniversary Edition
- Written by: Mitch Albom
- Narrated by: Mitch Albom
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 56
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 46
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 46
Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient, and wise who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly 20 years ago. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you, receive wisdom the way you once did when you were younger? Mitch Albom had that second chance.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Thank you for sharing Morrie with me.
- By Robbie on 2019-08-13
-
The First Phone Call from Heaven
- A Novel
- Written by: Mitch Albom
- Narrated by: Mitch Albom
- Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 5
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 5
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5
The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out. An allegory about the power of belief - and a page-turner that will touch your soul - Albom's masterful storytelling has never been so moving and unexpected.
-
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
- Written by: Mitch Albom
- Narrated by: Mitch Albom
- Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 39
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 31
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 30
Eddie is a grizzled war veteran who feels trapped in a meaningless life of fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. His days are a dull routine of work, loneliness, and regret.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!
- By Kristine Blackwell on 2019-01-29
Publisher's Summary
Mitch Albom creates his most unforgettable fictional character - Frankie Presto, the greatest guitarist ever to walk the Earth - in this magical novel about the bands we join in life and the power of talent to change our lives.
It's an epic story of the greatest guitar player ever to live and the six lives he changed with his magical blue strings.
In Albom's most sweeping novel yet, the voice of Music narrates the tale of its most beloved disciple, young Frankie Presto, a war orphan raised by a blind music teacher in a small Spanish town. At nine years old, Frankie is sent to America in the bottom of a boat. His only possession is an old guitar and six precious strings.
But Frankie's talent is touched by the gods, and his amazing journey weaves him through the musical landscape of the 20th century, from classical to jazz to rock and roll, with his stunning talent affecting numerous stars along the way, including Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Carole King, Wynton Marsalis, and even KISS.
Frankie becomes a pop star himself. He makes records. He is adored. But his gift is also his burden, as he realizes that through his music he can actually affect people's futures - with one string turning blue whenever a life is altered.
At the height of his popularity, Frankie Presto vanishes. His legend grows. Only decades later does he reappear - just before his spectacular death - to change one last life.
With its Forrest Gump-like romp through the music world, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a classic in the making. A lifelong musician himself, Mitch Albom delivers a remarkable novel infused with the message that "everyone joins a band in this life", and those connections change us all.
The complete list of narrators includes: Mitch Albom, Roger McGuinn, Ingrid Michaelson, John Pizzarelli, Paul Stanley, George Guidall, Mike Hodge, Robin Miles, Christian Baskous, Tony Chiroldes, Kevin O'Neil, Adriana Sananes, Ken Brown, and Sarab Kamoo.
What the critics say
"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.... The fortunate listener who can briefly suspend disbelief will be rewarded with one of this season's true audio gems." (AudioFile)
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
Overall
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars7
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4 Stars4
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3 Stars0
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2 Stars0
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Performance
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5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars9
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4 Stars2
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3 Stars0
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2 Stars0
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1 Stars0
Story
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars8
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4 Stars3
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3 Stars0
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2 Stars0
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1 Stars0
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ashley
- 2018-09-20
Interesting look at artist life
This book was a pretty easy listen. I loved the Meastro. The way the narrator did his voice made the whole book worth the listen for me. The book showed a touching story of how music can impact people's lives. It had a lot of sad parts that were pretty heart wrenching. The love story between the two main characters was frustrating at times. But, on the whole a nice listen. #Audible1
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cynthia
- Lancaster
- 2015-12-02
Fiction interwoven with REAL people, places,events
Would you listen to The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto again? Why?
I just finished the book " The magic strings of Frankie Presto" by Mitch Albom. I think musicians would really enjoy it. Every chapter begins with a little music lesson on a musical theory term and how it relates to his life at the moment in the book. Oh and it was a full cast of characters which I loved as I listened. He included real music artists in the book and wove them into "Frankie's" life, they each told a little story on how "Frankie" affected their life in a positive way, it was very cool the way Mitch Albom did it. Then at the end he explained how HE knew each of those artists and what was real with their parts of the story. He even talked about the real places that he's been to and people he met there that he wrote about for Frankie's life. Frankie is fictional but I love how Mitch weaved real events, places and people in and out of Frankie's life. When I talk, make comments and laugh as the story unfolds and cry out loud, it's a really good story. :)
What about the narrators’s performance did you like?
I liked the full cast of characters! that was awesome!!
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- RaeLynn Jo
- 2016-10-30
Better Narrated than Read
I made an attempt to read this book shorty after it was written and couldn't get through it. I love Mitch Albom, have read all of this books more than once, but found it hard to adjust to this writing style. After listening to it though, I would say it's one of his best fictional characters. A well developed story, memorable characters, and just plain fun to listen to. Very well done!
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Tara
- Memphis, TN, United States
- 2016-01-06
You have to listen to it, don't read it!
Would you listen to The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto again? Why?
Yes, I absolutely LOVED the performances.
What did you like best about this story?
All the character's stories.
Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?
I can't pick just one...so good.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
My name is Talent, come sit here and let me tell you a story...
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 2016-07-17
Lovely story and fantastic narrators
Where does The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
top 10! I ordered this book for my book club. Every one else in the club had the paperback but I am an audio book fan and chose the audible version instead & I am so glad I did. The readers really brought the characters to life. I laughed with Frankie and I cried . I had to listen to the last chapter twice and I cried again,.
Who was your favorite character and why?
I really love Frankie's music teacher. I know he was a gruff old man but inside he was full of passion for music and I really felt that in his teaching of Frankie.
Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
no
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
I was really moved when Frankie met Jango. It is a defining moment for him and I think if they had not connected Frankie'd life would have turned out differently. This was his first major connection to the music world.
Any additional comments?
While I am sure the written version of this book is also excellent I highly recommend the audio version as the way to experience this novel. You will become connected to the characters and join their journey on a different level.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Just Me
- 2015-11-19
Wow!
I listen to many audible books. This one has been the best that I've listened to in the last 10 years! I quickly came to care about all of the characters and wanting to know what was going to happen next. Having the actual musicians read their parts was fantastic! I highly recommend this book! I'm going to listen to it again right now. :-)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cato
- 2015-11-16
The Magic Strings
I loved this book just like I've loved everything else I've read that he's written. There's a lot of jumping around in time so when listening make sure you are aware of when in time you are. Besides that sit back and enjoy this book, it's incredible and worth the read or listen.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Johan
- 2016-09-24
Mitch at his best
One of the best audio books I have listened to. It touches your very soul
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gemmi23
- NC
- 2015-11-12
Great book!...
I love good stories and I love good music... this book is the best of both worlds!
17 of 21 people found this review helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- AMC
- Lake Tahoe, Ca
- 2018-01-18
Dull and Dry
Would you try another book from Mitch Albom and/or the narrators?
No more Mitch Albom for me. The story was just not interesting which I do not blame on the narrators.
You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?
No, I just don't understand all of the glowing reviews. I was unable to get into the story. All the interactions with famous folks was really hokey. I found it contrived and artificial.
Any additional comments?
My suggestion? Pass on this one.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Trudi
- 2017-04-12
Didn't work for me.
Started out interesting enough but the further I got into it the more the overwhelming coincidences became just too far fetched and too contrived to be anything else but groan worthy. Just silly. I was especially disappointed because so many of the reviews were good. I did like the idea of music having a voice.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful