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A review by jenbsbooks
Frank and Red by Matt Coyne
5.0
There seem to be a LOT of book featuring the old curmudgeonly character, isolated, who somehow connects with a younger person, lives changing for the better. Add this one to that trope - not at all a bad thing. It's one I enjoy. Uplifting.
I can't remember how this one popped up on my radar ... I had it on my "maybe spend a credit on Audible" list, as the audio was not available at the library. As Spotify has added 15 hours of an audiobook to their premium plan, I peeked there, and they had it, so ... my March pick! The Kindle copy was also not available at the library, but was only $.99 for the purchase. I like to have both the audio and text.
A single narrator in audio, which was okay, as it was 3rd person. It switched between the POVs of Frank (older) and Red (six years old). No numerical chapters, just the POV headers evenly alternating. Four "parts" - although there didn't seem to be distinct separations to me. Just a note on Spotify's audio (not sure if this would be the same on Audible, I don't think so) there were basic "tracks" ... but being able to easily find my place between formats would not happen! Probably some learning curve, but not really a fan of Spotify for audiobooks (although I'll struggle through for free hours).
Even though Frank sees and talks to his dead wife ... she's not a "ghost" per se. I have this book shelved on my "realistic" not "paranormal" shelf :) Frank knows he's just imagining seeing her, talking to her, that it's all in his head.
While agoraphobia isn't mentioned by name, Frank hasn't left the house in ages. Having this intrusion of the little boy next door is not something he wants ... but it was so fun to watch it unfold. There is an allusion to "To Kill a Mockingbird" as another character refers to Frank as Boo Radley.
I don't do TikTok, but Mammy Banter's little reels have showed up on Instagram and Facebook (I do those) and I've fallen a little in love with them (especially the ones featuring the teacher and the four kids). Heavy Irish accent, not "clean" (language, inappropriate content) ... the little "Jimmy" featured in these is much MORE than little Red, but still, I think I created a bit of an association in my mind!
Lots of POKEMON! My boys loved(love ... still, even though they are grown they still play) Pokemon, and I play PokemonGo (my son got me into it, now I'm more into it than he is). Just a fun little connection.
Song sung - just a tiny tidbit. "Feed the Birds" and some fun alliterative noises (the SPROING of the trampoline) in audio.
In print ... there are some "handwritten" portions, an addressed letter, Red's school journal. I was glad I happened to notice this (as I'd gone primarily with the audiobook).
Listening to audio, I didn't get to save quotes/make notes like I would reading on my own. I did stop and locate a couple, and I checked out the QUOTES section on Goodreads and found some more I remembered.
There was some proFanity (x9) ... other words I notice: sneaked, rifled, careen
The title isn't super clever, but, it represents the book. I liked the cover art.
Thumbs up - would definitely recommend.
I can't remember how this one popped up on my radar ... I had it on my "maybe spend a credit on Audible" list, as the audio was not available at the library. As Spotify has added 15 hours of an audiobook to their premium plan, I peeked there, and they had it, so ... my March pick! The Kindle copy was also not available at the library, but was only $.99 for the purchase. I like to have both the audio and text.
A single narrator in audio, which was okay, as it was 3rd person. It switched between the POVs of Frank (older) and Red (six years old). No numerical chapters, just the POV headers evenly alternating. Four "parts" - although there didn't seem to be distinct separations to me. Just a note on Spotify's audio (not sure if this would be the same on Audible, I don't think so) there were basic "tracks" ... but being able to easily find my place between formats would not happen! Probably some learning curve, but not really a fan of Spotify for audiobooks (although I'll struggle through for free hours).
Even though Frank sees and talks to his dead wife ... she's not a "ghost" per se. I have this book shelved on my "realistic" not "paranormal" shelf :) Frank knows he's just imagining seeing her, talking to her, that it's all in his head.
While agoraphobia isn't mentioned by name, Frank hasn't left the house in ages. Having this intrusion of the little boy next door is not something he wants ... but it was so fun to watch it unfold. There is an allusion to "To Kill a Mockingbird" as another character refers to Frank as Boo Radley.
I don't do TikTok, but Mammy Banter's little reels have showed up on Instagram and Facebook (I do those) and I've fallen a little in love with them (especially the ones featuring the teacher and the four kids). Heavy Irish accent, not "clean" (language, inappropriate content) ... the little "Jimmy" featured in these is much MORE than little Red, but still, I think I created a bit of an association in my mind!
Lots of POKEMON! My boys loved(love ... still, even though they are grown they still play) Pokemon, and I play PokemonGo (my son got me into it, now I'm more into it than he is). Just a fun little connection.
Song sung - just a tiny tidbit. "Feed the Birds" and some fun alliterative noises (the SPROING of the trampoline) in audio.
In print ... there are some "handwritten" portions, an addressed letter, Red's school journal. I was glad I happened to notice this (as I'd gone primarily with the audiobook).
Listening to audio, I didn't get to save quotes/make notes like I would reading on my own. I did stop and locate a couple, and I checked out the QUOTES section on Goodreads and found some more I remembered.
There was some proFanity (x9) ... other words I notice: sneaked, rifled, careen
The title isn't super clever, but, it represents the book. I liked the cover art.
Thumbs up - would definitely recommend.