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To Be Frank Diego
Frank is on the borderline, both literally and figuratively.
A long, unplanned walk through his hometown of San Diego brings him face-to-face with the contradictions of his mixed Mexican-White identity, his romantic relationship, and the blissful facade his city promotes.
With humor, emotion, and entertaining twists, Frank Diego takes the reader on a journey through an American border town that proves shocking, thought-provoking, and even heartbreaking. By the end, we understand that Frank is the only one who could take us into the depths of his troubled psyche and his city in quite the same way.
Late coming of age or midlife crisis? Resignation or rebirth? This story is a look at mixed Mexican-American identity on the border that sheds light on American issues of race, relationships and identity.
“Dominic Carrillo successfully cannonballs into the deep end of the social justice pool"
-Kirkus Reviews
“To Be Frank Diego is a quick read that offers a nice balance of humor and depth. It’s the kind of book where everything goes wrong and all the comical misadventures keep readers turning the pages to see how it finally gets right.”
-Underground Book Reviews
A long, unplanned walk through his hometown of San Diego brings him face-to-face with the contradictions of his mixed Mexican-White identity, his romantic relationship, and the blissful facade his city promotes.
With humor, emotion, and entertaining twists, Frank Diego takes the reader on a journey through an American border town that proves shocking, thought-provoking, and even heartbreaking. By the end, we understand that Frank is the only one who could take us into the depths of his troubled psyche and his city in quite the same way.
Late coming of age or midlife crisis? Resignation or rebirth? This story is a look at mixed Mexican-American identity on the border that sheds light on American issues of race, relationships and identity.
“Dominic Carrillo successfully cannonballs into the deep end of the social justice pool"
-Kirkus Reviews
“To Be Frank Diego is a quick read that offers a nice balance of humor and depth. It’s the kind of book where everything goes wrong and all the comical misadventures keep readers turning the pages to see how it finally gets right.”
-Underground Book Reviews
211 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2012
About the author
Dominic Carrillo
9 books83 followersDominic Carrillo is a teacher and writer from San Diego, California. TO BE FRANK DIEGO is his debut novel. It follows protagonist Frank Diego on a tragicomic daylong journey through San Diego. THE IMPROBABLE RISE OF PACO JONES is the author's debut YA novel about a biracial 8th grade boy who's dealing with an impossible crush, racial identity, and a host of other teen issues. THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS is an adventurous, heartwarming YA novel set on a train in Eastern Europe. The sequel, NIA & THE DEALER, takes the teen protagonist to California on an unforgettable road trip down the coast. Carrillo is currently working on his next novel and teaching in Bulgaria.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 3, 2016
While reading Dominic Carrillo's debut , the theme of identity spilled through the spine and onto the pages. Carrillo's poignant, internal monologue forces the reader to consider the meaning of identity. What defines the individual in modernity? Relationships? We are called sons and daughters, wives and husbands. Is this the essence of identity? Culture, race or ethnicity? A quarter this, half that, an eighth the other? Is Hegel correct that we are thrown into an already existing, presupposed, pre-determined state of existence? What about our choice of phones, clothing, cars, or any other material possession? Would you give it all up to have a shot at true identity, to have an authentic life? These are the questions which bounced through my mind while reading To Be Frank Diego.
As the reader meets a variety of quirky characters, Carrillo's writing leaves the reader to think about deeper truths. The kind of truth that lives under and beyond the words on the page. The characters in this book can be used as spring boards to deeper symbols embedded within our culture. So take a chance reading this book, and see if you can dive under the mere appearance of identity and figure out what it means to be Frank Diego.
As the reader meets a variety of quirky characters, Carrillo's writing leaves the reader to think about deeper truths. The kind of truth that lives under and beyond the words on the page. The characters in this book can be used as spring boards to deeper symbols embedded within our culture. So take a chance reading this book, and see if you can dive under the mere appearance of identity and figure out what it means to be Frank Diego.
October 22, 2012
What do readers think/say?:
"Carrillo’s wonderful new novel is about a guy who walks and buses through San Diego one day, reflecting on his identity, San Diego culture, and his recently failed relationship. It’s a fast, funny, thoughtful read.” -Marni Freedman
"Just finished reading "To Be Frank Diego" by Dominic Carrillo and LOVED IT! As Frank Diego goes through an epic journey, car-less, throughout San Diego he visits some of San Diego's more well known landmarks and offers witty and sarcastic humor as well as some surprising historical insight." -Andrea Duran Ortiz
"Its easy to read and gives you a perspective into San Diego that you may miss. I realized while reading that parts of Frank's journey was my own. Very relatable and a must read. I've purchased for friends and family and they all love it!" -Monica Wright
"To Be Frank Diego by Dominic Carrillo is a new novel that is funny and smart. It made me think of Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Call me Ishmael, Cervante's Don Quixote, and the journey, Willie Shakes, Kurt Vonnegut's humor, even Roth and Hemingway."
-George M. Gutierrez, (N.Y.Times Pulitzer Prize Winner)
"Carrillo’s wonderful new novel is about a guy who walks and buses through San Diego one day, reflecting on his identity, San Diego culture, and his recently failed relationship. It’s a fast, funny, thoughtful read.” -Marni Freedman
"Just finished reading "To Be Frank Diego" by Dominic Carrillo and LOVED IT! As Frank Diego goes through an epic journey, car-less, throughout San Diego he visits some of San Diego's more well known landmarks and offers witty and sarcastic humor as well as some surprising historical insight." -Andrea Duran Ortiz
"Its easy to read and gives you a perspective into San Diego that you may miss. I realized while reading that parts of Frank's journey was my own. Very relatable and a must read. I've purchased for friends and family and they all love it!" -Monica Wright
"To Be Frank Diego by Dominic Carrillo is a new novel that is funny and smart. It made me think of Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Call me Ishmael, Cervante's Don Quixote, and the journey, Willie Shakes, Kurt Vonnegut's humor, even Roth and Hemingway."
-George M. Gutierrez, (N.Y.Times Pulitzer Prize Winner)
July 11, 2013
I've read it for second time...."Endless possibilities were opening up. And for whatever reason, the spirit of the moment had me fixated on physically moving to another place - another country even. Italy? Japan? Mexico? - but how? Sure, I could've started over with a NEW MINDSET right here in San Diego , but it wouldn't be a truly clean slate. It wouldn't necessitate redefinition and complete independence.
I recognized that I had to leave town to be truly reborn; to truly grow. I learned, in that brief walk to the mechanic's, that a part of me had died, and I needed to make a drastic move before I could genuinely begin a new phase of life.......pag 167!
This is the part of book which we, readers, can understand, we can change our life in every moment through hilarious moments...
I hope the writer could enjoy us, writing others novels!
I recognized that I had to leave town to be truly reborn; to truly grow. I learned, in that brief walk to the mechanic's, that a part of me had died, and I needed to make a drastic move before I could genuinely begin a new phase of life.......pag 167!
This is the part of book which we, readers, can understand, we can change our life in every moment through hilarious moments...
I hope the writer could enjoy us, writing others novels!
September 7, 2014
Frank Diego’s car is in the shop and he has to use public transportation for the first time. That’s the premise of the novel To Be Frank Diego. It sounds pretty simple, but Dominic Carrillo manages to turn Frank’s car-less day into an entertaining and insightful read.
Frank is a 33-year-old adjunct history professor who hasn’t worked in a while, and is dealing with a failed relationship. He is bicultural, half Mexican and half white, but since he looks mostly white, his racial identity causes confusion. The novel spans one day while Frank travels his hometown of San Diego on the bus, trolley, and even on foot, getting to know the city and its people as he never has before.
...read more at UndergroundBookReviews(dot)com!
Frank is a 33-year-old adjunct history professor who hasn’t worked in a while, and is dealing with a failed relationship. He is bicultural, half Mexican and half white, but since he looks mostly white, his racial identity causes confusion. The novel spans one day while Frank travels his hometown of San Diego on the bus, trolley, and even on foot, getting to know the city and its people as he never has before.
...read more at UndergroundBookReviews(dot)com!
November 30, 2015
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. I really enjoyed this writing. It is kind of a one day awakening of a man discovering he is in a rut. His life is not exactly crap,but he is trying to figure out what he wants. In my experience,I have been there. It just took me quite a bit more than a day to get it together . Mr. Carrillo manages to put that part of life into words in a pretty enjoyable book.
October 24, 2012
This book was short and sweet. It was hilarious while completely touching and genuine at the same time...I really felt like I was going through this existential experience with Frank. I especially appreciate the social and political commentary meaningfully placed throughout. I have already recommended it to my friends and family!
October 31, 2012
This humorous book is set in my hometown, San Diego. Thirty=something Frank tries to use public transportation for the first time and discovers it's hard to do. He also meets some interesting people and contemplates his dull life and the future while he tries to navigate across town.
No sex or violence
No sex or violence
November 22, 2015
I loved the characters Frank encountered. They were so real and his observations were honest, funny, and a little sad. I loved the evolution of his reality as the day goes on. I could relate to the adjunct professor, people you meet on the bus, and the walking forward into your life. A good read.
January 3, 2013
Loved the characters encountered on Frank's journey. I found I genuinely cared about Frank's internal struggles also and was glad to watch him "evolve" and engage with humor and sensitivity.
September 4, 2012
Loved it!
October 13, 2023
Interesting premise.
I enjoyed the story based on my current home town.
I enjoyed the story based on my current home town.
July 25, 2026
i was inspired by his long walk to take my own long walks across san diego
November 4, 2012
Kind of a meandering, contemplative day-in-the-life tour of San Diego with the semi-helpless but likable dreamer, Frank Diego. Breezy, with some humor and history thrown in; a pleasant afternoon read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews