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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Too much focus on characters and not as much with the overall plot.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book isn't bad per se but it's very bland and full of stereotypes. Also the narrative makes some strange jumps and accordingly so does the main character, Alice. For me, the development of her love for Frank was not done well. Her relationship to Xander was awful and I would really have liked to have more Mimi in there, instead. Despite the 400 pages, this felt like an underdeveloped, rough version of a 90s film script.
I absolutely loved Frank. Quirky, off-the-charts intelligent, creative, interesting, and oh-so lovable. The other characters were damaged in some way or another. They were complicated, but interesting. The story was fine, but it was the characters that kept me coming back wanting to listen. I am going to miss spending time with them - especially Frank.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I won this book in a giveaway, and I am pleased to report that it lived up to my expectations.
I did find the first half to be a little slow going--once it is established that Frank is an unusual child (clearly with processing strategies somewhere on the spectrum) who is difficult but also highly intelligent and quite charming, the story bogs down for awhile in "more of the same." But with the introduction of Xander, the pace picks back up and the second half of the book was so engaging that I stayed up far too late finishing it all in one go. All of the characters are fascinating and believable. There is one loose end left at the end, but it doesn't detract from the overall effectiveness.
I did find the first half to be a little slow going--once it is established that Frank is an unusual child (clearly with processing strategies somewhere on the spectrum) who is difficult but also highly intelligent and quite charming, the story bogs down for awhile in "more of the same." But with the introduction of Xander, the pace picks back up and the second half of the book was so engaging that I stayed up far too late finishing it all in one go. All of the characters are fascinating and believable. There is one loose end left at the end
Spoiler
as it is never explained what the significance of Alice's notebook is and why her boss is marking it up with post-it notes
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dialogue is a little stilted. Even though the main character is supposed to sound awkward and have a flat affect, his character is not the most believable.
The ending is also abrupt and I felt like the story should either have ended earlier or it needed to wrap things up better.
Cute story, but felt like it needed more polish.
The ending is also abrupt and I felt like the story should either have ended earlier or it needed to wrap things up better.
Cute story, but felt like it needed more polish.
A hilariously funny but also heartwarming & in-depth story about a unique little boy and his unprepared caretaker. My book group loved it & found plenty to discuss. Read my full review at:
http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2017/10/fiction-review-be-frank-with-me.html
http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2017/10/fiction-review-be-frank-with-me.html