Mitch Albom did it again. He made another book an ocean of readers adored. This time, the book is from Music’s point of view. My title was probably a bit condescending, but, more or less, I don’t regret it.
Here are the reasons why The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto failed to inspire me musically:
1. The book has a heckload of Paulo Coelho in it.
Though music is the main theme of the book, for me, it was more of an element—a big element to teach us about life, and not music (apparently).
So it did fail to inspire me musically because of this very reason, but it exceedingly did great when it comes to teaching me about life.
The story is a master guidebook in being an expert in life. Lessons from Music, El Maestro and other characters Frankie Presto met along the way were so effective in mentoring me that it almost feels like Mitch Albom wanted to tell me these things personally and only using Frankie Presto as the dummy to put my place in his position.
2. The love story was growing like an elephant that it’s hard to breathe.
Let me put this in words—Mitch Albom wrote Frankie Presto and Aurora York’s love story so realistically yet so explosive of dejection that it will grow—a hundred percent—in any reader’s heart. The biggest reason I could think of is because their love story is a big life lesson itself. Like The Little Prince, both sides are rightfully in place of a love circle but still so young and naïve to make decisions for themselves.
3. The book is not meant to teach you music.
Right from the beginning—the first chapter—you’ll understand that Mitch Albom didn’t write this to teach you about music or make you a musical genius, no. He wrote this to teach us about learning. Most of the lessons you can highlight from this book might be talking about music, but if you strip away those musical terms and instruments, you get a soul-hitting message from the author.
4. The book is there to teach you about chasing your dreams and the holes you’ll find along the way.
A bad decision does not awfully turn your whole life into a pit of dumpster. This is a good news and apparently, it is accurate. A lot of individuals can easily get away with a mistake they made. But only for so long. Life, after all, is balance of all things good and bad. Whatever you give off is what you get.
5. The book is not talking to you in a musical level.
Sure, Mitch Albom might have said a handful of musical terms here and there but those weren’t the point. The point is to learn life through music. Frankie Presto grew up with a mentor, and so are all of us. Even before El Maestro left his side, he was still able to find new mentors along the way, and so are all of us. Life is a series of workshops, with different teacher and tasks and activities in each level.
Wrap-up
So, now, you might be wondering, “Did the book disappoint?” No, it did not. The book was a gift from heaven, like a manual God wanted me to have. It will be too for you.
Let me know if this post deserves a boost! Till next time, see you!
Last quick note: my book, Subway Teeth is out now on Amazon! Check it out here!
