What do you think?
Rate this book
Frankie: A Novel
Frankie Howe has lived a long life, her small flat is crammed full of art, furniture - and memories. Damian, her young carer, listens as she gradually tells him parts of her story - a story that takes us into a progressive, daring world of New York artists on the brink of fame, aspiring writers and larger-than-life characters.
Always just on the periphery, looking on, young Frankie is never quite sure enough of herself to take centre stage. But the outsider holds certain advantages, sees things others don't, can influence without drawing attention. And when the map has been lost, it's anyone's guess where you may end up, or the accidental choices you find you have made. Frankie discovers that life is not always the one we hope for, or the one others expect of us.
Travelling from post-war Ireland to the dazzling art scene of 1960s New York by way of London, Frankie is an immersive, decade-sweeping novel about love, bravery and what it means to live a significant life.
Always just on the periphery, looking on, young Frankie is never quite sure enough of herself to take centre stage. But the outsider holds certain advantages, sees things others don't, can influence without drawing attention. And when the map has been lost, it's anyone's guess where you may end up, or the accidental choices you find you have made. Frankie discovers that life is not always the one we hope for, or the one others expect of us.
Travelling from post-war Ireland to the dazzling art scene of 1960s New York by way of London, Frankie is an immersive, decade-sweeping novel about love, bravery and what it means to live a significant life.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published September 10, 2024
1604 people are currently reading
19834 people want to read
About the author
Graham Norton
34 books2,815 followersGraham William Walker is an Irish actor, comedian, television presenter and columnist, known by his stage name Graham Norton. He is the host of the comedy chat show The Graham Norton Show and the BBC commentator of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,042 reviews
September 21, 2024
Frankie is the fifth novel by Irish entertainer and author, Graham Norton. When eighty-four-year-old Frances Howe trips and breaks an ankle (no, she did NOT “have a fall”!), her best friend since primary school, Norah Forrester engages Damian from Hamilton Home Care to make sure she’s safe at night.
Damian hails from her old neighbourhood in County Cork, and just the mention of his roots is enough to spark Frankie’s memories. Damian may be only a third of her age, but he listens, enthralled, as Frankie shares the tales of the eventful life that came after she was orphaned at nearly eleven years old, the end of her idyllic childhood.
Not every detail of her ordeal at the hands of her rigidly religious aunt and uncle are fit to be shared with the young man: “There was no love to be had in that rectory… I’d say they saw me as God’s way of testing them. And I’m inclined to say they failed.” Nor observes that, in those days, “A good parent was one who managed to keep their child alive. Nobody wondered what their child was feeling. You were told how you felt.”
The more intimate details of her two marriages, one virtually as a child bride, she recalls with Nor. But a fascinating life it is: Ballytoor to Castlekeen to London to New York City; wife to a village canon, then to a struggling artist. Sharing what she experiences as assistant a literary agent, later a restaurant chef, manager and eventually owner of an iconic Manhattan restaurant: Nor watches her coming alive as she relives her past.
Norton easily evokes his setting and era, his characters are richly drawn, and it's impossible not to fall in love with Frankie, to worry for her safety, to be indignant at unfairness meted out to her, to hope for her good fortune, to be sad when things fall apart. To understand how lesbian parties, art smuggling and bigamy fit into her life, the prospective reader should do themselves a favour and read this witty and wonderful novel.
Frankie is lucky to make some good, constant friends, some of whom she loses to the AIDS epidemic, but she tells Damian “To know that you’ve known happiness, to know that you’ve been loved, there is a great comfort in that.” Norton’s latest funny, moving, uplifting and entertaining.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette ANZ.
Damian hails from her old neighbourhood in County Cork, and just the mention of his roots is enough to spark Frankie’s memories. Damian may be only a third of her age, but he listens, enthralled, as Frankie shares the tales of the eventful life that came after she was orphaned at nearly eleven years old, the end of her idyllic childhood.
Not every detail of her ordeal at the hands of her rigidly religious aunt and uncle are fit to be shared with the young man: “There was no love to be had in that rectory… I’d say they saw me as God’s way of testing them. And I’m inclined to say they failed.” Nor observes that, in those days, “A good parent was one who managed to keep their child alive. Nobody wondered what their child was feeling. You were told how you felt.”
The more intimate details of her two marriages, one virtually as a child bride, she recalls with Nor. But a fascinating life it is: Ballytoor to Castlekeen to London to New York City; wife to a village canon, then to a struggling artist. Sharing what she experiences as assistant a literary agent, later a restaurant chef, manager and eventually owner of an iconic Manhattan restaurant: Nor watches her coming alive as she relives her past.
Norton easily evokes his setting and era, his characters are richly drawn, and it's impossible not to fall in love with Frankie, to worry for her safety, to be indignant at unfairness meted out to her, to hope for her good fortune, to be sad when things fall apart. To understand how lesbian parties, art smuggling and bigamy fit into her life, the prospective reader should do themselves a favour and read this witty and wonderful novel.
Frankie is lucky to make some good, constant friends, some of whom she loses to the AIDS epidemic, but she tells Damian “To know that you’ve known happiness, to know that you’ve been loved, there is a great comfort in that.” Norton’s latest funny, moving, uplifting and entertaining.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette ANZ.
October 7, 2024
This was such an enjoyable piece of escapism, written in Graham Norton's inimitable, intelligent, empathetic style. While more ambitious than some of his other novels, it loses none of its warmth in the process.
Frankie is a protagonist for the ages. We meet her as an elderly woman being cared for by a young gay man in London. In flashbacks to her youth, we are transported to West Cork and New York, tracking Frankie's unexpected life in which she never had the starring role but somehow always stayed true to herself and her inner strength of character.
Born in West Cork, Frankie has a colourful (and tragic) early life, culminating in her becoming the wife of the much older clergyman in her village. Things take an unexpected turn, however, and Frankie ends up in New York, married to struggling artist Joe. Well-researched and pacey, the reader is immersed in New York of the 1970s and 80s, and the devastation of the AIDS crisis that decimated the gay community during this time.
Just the right amount of intrigue and wonderful storytelling, I loved this book. My mam borrowed it and read it before me, and she loved it too so it's one to share with family and friends. Graham is an absolute treasure and I will continue to read all of his books. I was extra delighted to have received an early #gifted copy from publisher @hachetteireland that was personally signed by Graham himself.
Frankie is a protagonist for the ages. We meet her as an elderly woman being cared for by a young gay man in London. In flashbacks to her youth, we are transported to West Cork and New York, tracking Frankie's unexpected life in which she never had the starring role but somehow always stayed true to herself and her inner strength of character.
Born in West Cork, Frankie has a colourful (and tragic) early life, culminating in her becoming the wife of the much older clergyman in her village. Things take an unexpected turn, however, and Frankie ends up in New York, married to struggling artist Joe. Well-researched and pacey, the reader is immersed in New York of the 1970s and 80s, and the devastation of the AIDS crisis that decimated the gay community during this time.
Just the right amount of intrigue and wonderful storytelling, I loved this book. My mam borrowed it and read it before me, and she loved it too so it's one to share with family and friends. Graham is an absolute treasure and I will continue to read all of his books. I was extra delighted to have received an early #gifted copy from publisher @hachetteireland that was personally signed by Graham himself.
February 4, 2025
What does it mean to have a significant life?
A young carer in London , Damian, is hired to oversee,
Frankie, an elderly lady who needs some temporary care. She finds out that Damian and her are from the same part of Ireland and because of this, she starts to tell him her life story. The story spans from Ireland where she loses her parents, to London where she once again finds herself in a precarious situation,and finally New York in the 1960s art/ restaurant scene. Frankie persevered through each phase of her life. Love and heartache; and ultimately what is means to be loved and love in return.
This was my first Graham Norton audiobook and I really won’t go back to a physical copy. Graham narrates his own books and does a such an amazing job. The book became even more real.
Maybe it was the name Frankie, or maybe it was just a feeling but Norton reminds me of Maeve Binchy every time I read his books. Ireland and the characters that find a way into your heart. Frankie is a woman worth knowing.
5 stars ⭐️
A young carer in London , Damian, is hired to oversee,
Frankie, an elderly lady who needs some temporary care. She finds out that Damian and her are from the same part of Ireland and because of this, she starts to tell him her life story. The story spans from Ireland where she loses her parents, to London where she once again finds herself in a precarious situation,and finally New York in the 1960s art/ restaurant scene. Frankie persevered through each phase of her life. Love and heartache; and ultimately what is means to be loved and love in return.
This was my first Graham Norton audiobook and I really won’t go back to a physical copy. Graham narrates his own books and does a such an amazing job. The book became even more real.
Maybe it was the name Frankie, or maybe it was just a feeling but Norton reminds me of Maeve Binchy every time I read his books. Ireland and the characters that find a way into your heart. Frankie is a woman worth knowing.
5 stars ⭐️
August 14, 2024
Although I love watching Graham Norton on television, I wasn’t sure how he would be writing a novel. I needn’t have worried – the story was wonderful – drawing on his knowledge as an Irish man in London. The story is witty, and insightfully told.
When the elderly but very independent Frankie has a fall, her best friend Nor arranges a career for her. Initially the horrified Frankie doesn’t want anything to do with Damien but soon ends up liking Damien, and sharing with him her story. This starts in Ireland, like his, but has a fascinating period in New York, where Frankie finds herself at the heart of bohemian New York life, ending with an escape back to London to live out her days.
Frankie’s story is so interesting and very evocative of that time in New York and the AIDS crisis. The relationships between Frankie and Damien, and Frankie and Nor are well crafted. It kept me invested throughout.
When the elderly but very independent Frankie has a fall, her best friend Nor arranges a career for her. Initially the horrified Frankie doesn’t want anything to do with Damien but soon ends up liking Damien, and sharing with him her story. This starts in Ireland, like his, but has a fascinating period in New York, where Frankie finds herself at the heart of bohemian New York life, ending with an escape back to London to live out her days.
Frankie’s story is so interesting and very evocative of that time in New York and the AIDS crisis. The relationships between Frankie and Damien, and Frankie and Nor are well crafted. It kept me invested throughout.
August 16, 2024
I loved the concept of this book! An older woman sharing her life story with her carer whom she sparks an unlikely friendship with. This book moved me so deeply, I didn’t expect it at all! Following Frankie’s story was so deeply touching and I felt like I truly knew her. I was rooting for her and I cried with her, laughed with her, I felt all the feels alongside her! That ending had me gasping through sobs, it all hits so much harder when you really feel like you know her. What a book! Brilliant.
January 28, 2025
‘We all have a story to tell. We just need to find the right person to tell it to…’
First things first: I am a HUGE fan of all of Graham Norton’s fictional books. They are all (or partially) set in Ireland, his country of origin, and we know how much I love a good Irish read 📖
I have been desperate to read his latest book, Frankie, since it came out, so I am very happy to have finally had the privilege of reading it. Having read his previous books, I had high expectations and they were definitely met in this narrative.
Throughout this book, Graham takes us back and forth between a small town on west coast of Ireland and Wapping, London. The main character of interest is, of course, Frankie. The story begins in London 2024, but we are quickly set back in time to Ireland in the 1950s. The storyline continues to go back and forth in time, uncovering Frankie’s story. This was a fascinating and captivating tale of love, bravery and what it means to live a significant life.
Frankie was a BRILLIANT character! She was so wonderfully created to be as real as your very own grandmother telling you a story of her life. She was wise and ever so warm hearted. I loved both her brutal honesty and capacity to love, despite all she went through…
Frankie had learned that happiness was not to be trusted and this followed her throughout her life. In her early life baking proved to be a salvation for Frankie. Her cakes became the talk of the parish and she found something she was not only good at, but also loved to do. As Frankie grew, baking turned to cooking, again giving a sense of purpose to her life.
I don’t want to give the story away so I shall not say much more about the storyline but I will say that Frankie’s tale was FULL to the brim. From west coast Ireland to London to New York. She met some incredible and very interesting people along the way. And of course, her best friend, Norah, stayed with her from childhood into present day.
The other main character of interest is Damian. He is a young carer in London, but spent the first two decades of his life growing up in the west of Ireland. His job is to keep an eye on Frankie, as she recovers from a fall, however, a memory is sparked in Frankie and before either of them know it, they are delving deep into Frankie’s past.
I loved Damian’s character. His main purpose in life was to care for people so that they would ‘not feel abandoned and alone in the dark of night.’ - ‘ such a simple human need, but the elderly people Damian cared for had to pay Hamilton Homecare handsomely for the privilege.’ His interest in and care for Frankie is what made her feel safe enough to open up and reveal her truth. I do wish we had learnt a bit more about him along the way but maybe that’s for another book…this was Frankie’s story.
‘You’ll find as you get older that often problems turn out to be their own solutions.’ ❤️🩹
Graham brought yet another fantastic book to a very emotional close. Leaving us with one last piece of wisdom from a very brave old lady: “To know that you’ve known happiness, to know that you’ve been loved, there is a great comfort in that.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
First things first: I am a HUGE fan of all of Graham Norton’s fictional books. They are all (or partially) set in Ireland, his country of origin, and we know how much I love a good Irish read 📖
I have been desperate to read his latest book, Frankie, since it came out, so I am very happy to have finally had the privilege of reading it. Having read his previous books, I had high expectations and they were definitely met in this narrative.
Throughout this book, Graham takes us back and forth between a small town on west coast of Ireland and Wapping, London. The main character of interest is, of course, Frankie. The story begins in London 2024, but we are quickly set back in time to Ireland in the 1950s. The storyline continues to go back and forth in time, uncovering Frankie’s story. This was a fascinating and captivating tale of love, bravery and what it means to live a significant life.
Frankie was a BRILLIANT character! She was so wonderfully created to be as real as your very own grandmother telling you a story of her life. She was wise and ever so warm hearted. I loved both her brutal honesty and capacity to love, despite all she went through…
Frankie had learned that happiness was not to be trusted and this followed her throughout her life. In her early life baking proved to be a salvation for Frankie. Her cakes became the talk of the parish and she found something she was not only good at, but also loved to do. As Frankie grew, baking turned to cooking, again giving a sense of purpose to her life.
I don’t want to give the story away so I shall not say much more about the storyline but I will say that Frankie’s tale was FULL to the brim. From west coast Ireland to London to New York. She met some incredible and very interesting people along the way. And of course, her best friend, Norah, stayed with her from childhood into present day.
The other main character of interest is Damian. He is a young carer in London, but spent the first two decades of his life growing up in the west of Ireland. His job is to keep an eye on Frankie, as she recovers from a fall, however, a memory is sparked in Frankie and before either of them know it, they are delving deep into Frankie’s past.
I loved Damian’s character. His main purpose in life was to care for people so that they would ‘not feel abandoned and alone in the dark of night.’ - ‘ such a simple human need, but the elderly people Damian cared for had to pay Hamilton Homecare handsomely for the privilege.’ His interest in and care for Frankie is what made her feel safe enough to open up and reveal her truth. I do wish we had learnt a bit more about him along the way but maybe that’s for another book…this was Frankie’s story.
‘You’ll find as you get older that often problems turn out to be their own solutions.’ ❤️🩹
Graham brought yet another fantastic book to a very emotional close. Leaving us with one last piece of wisdom from a very brave old lady: “To know that you’ve known happiness, to know that you’ve been loved, there is a great comfort in that.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
January 12, 2025
'To know that you’ve known happiness, to know that you’ve been loved, there is a great comfort in that.'
This was my first Graham Norton novel and I must admit some trepidation on my part. Celebrities don't always turn their hand to the writing trade so easily. But I needn't have worried - Norton is a natural storyteller and within a few pages I was hooked.
We begin in present-day London. Frankie, an elderly woman, has had a fall and broken her ankle. Living alone, she needs help, so a young caregiver named Damian is hired for that purpose. Frankie is irritable and wary of a stranger in her home, but Damian has a relaxed way about him and the pair begin to chat. It turns out that they're both from the same part of Ireland so there is an immediate bond. Damian encourages Frankie to talk about herself and it turns out she has an amazing story to tell. Her parents died when she was ten and she was sent to live with an aunt. At 18 she was pressured into marrying a much older clergyman named Canon Frost, but this relationship did not end well. From there she moved to London, meeting up with her dear friend Nora and taking a job under legendary theatre producer Van Everdeen. However this position was not without its own perils and a working visit to New York ended in tears. Stranded in Manhattan, her fortunes eventually took a turn for the better, and a new life for Frankie began.
This is both a feel-good story and wistful one. Frankie has led an extraordinary life and her conversations with Damian provide a clever framing device for Norton to spin her colourful tale. Though she's crotchety in her old age, we get the sense that Frankie held a magnetic presence in her youth, attracting all kinds of fascinating people into her orbit. Norton contrasts the oppressive nature of Catholic Ireland so strikingly with the freedom of London in its Swinging Sixties. In 1980s New York he paints a poignant picture of a city heartbroken by the AIDS epidemic, as a string of Frankie's loved ones succumb to the cruel disease. If I have one minor criticism it's that I would liked to have learned more about Damian and Nora - there is a late revelation from Nora that deserved more airtime. However this is Frankie's story, and what a wonderful, kaleidoscopic tale it is.
September 24, 2024
I didn't like this at all. The story was boring and a little disturbing. I wasn't sure I'd finish it but I struggled through it to the end. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
January 26, 2025
DNF 60%
I adore Graham Norton as a chat show host and must confess that I was properly warned that his books are nothing like his TV personality, but my curiosity just got the better of me.
As the audio narrator, Norton definitely brought in some Irish charm but unfortunately it did not compensate for the story’s inability to keep my attention.
I tried several times to pick up where I left off, with sometimes weeks in between listens, only to finally admit defeat.
Not all books are for all readers.
I adore Graham Norton as a chat show host and must confess that I was properly warned that his books are nothing like his TV personality, but my curiosity just got the better of me.
As the audio narrator, Norton definitely brought in some Irish charm but unfortunately it did not compensate for the story’s inability to keep my attention.
I tried several times to pick up where I left off, with sometimes weeks in between listens, only to finally admit defeat.
Not all books are for all readers.
July 19, 2024
I found this book to be an easy read but I felt like I just wanted more from it; I felt like I wanted there to be more of a story. Although the story of Frankie was interesting (particularly the earlier parts set in Ireland) I just found some of the middle New York timeline a bit dull. Maybe this type of book just isn’t for me, but I have read other books by Graham Norton that I enjoyed more.
September 24, 2024
Another brill read by GN. Looooved this. Stayed up way past my bed time (10pm) to finish it. Easy read, great story. ❤️
October 12, 2024
this is probably his best novel to date tracking the journey of Frankie through the ages
September 30, 2024
4.5*
I previously read Graham Norton’s, Forever Home, and loved it! I had high hopes for his latest, Frankie - and I was not disappointed. The blurb sums it up beautifully: ‘Traveling from post-war Ireland to the dazzling art scene of 1960s New York by way of London, Frankie is an immersive, decade-sweeping novel about love, bravery and what it means to live a significant life.‘
‘My point is that there is nothing tragic in me knowing that the best days of my life are behind me, and’- she squeezed the scrapbook to her chest - ‘these were the happiest years of my life. I know that now, and I’m grand with that. I was lucky to have them.’
Graham Norton writes so well - it is such a great story with memorable characters and is beautifully written with not only attention to detail but encapsulates all the themes of love and loss, family and friends. This is one the story of one woman’s journey and Graham draws the reader in until you think he is describing one of your friends.
‘To know that you’ve known happiness, to know that you’ve been loved, there is a great comfort in that.’
Take a trip with older Frankie as she looks back on her life sharing her story with her carer. It sucks you in and you don’t realise how so until you are grieved that it has come to an end. You will laugh, you will cry but you will not soon forget the remarkable story of Frankie.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
I previously read Graham Norton’s, Forever Home, and loved it! I had high hopes for his latest, Frankie - and I was not disappointed. The blurb sums it up beautifully: ‘Traveling from post-war Ireland to the dazzling art scene of 1960s New York by way of London, Frankie is an immersive, decade-sweeping novel about love, bravery and what it means to live a significant life.‘
‘My point is that there is nothing tragic in me knowing that the best days of my life are behind me, and’- she squeezed the scrapbook to her chest - ‘these were the happiest years of my life. I know that now, and I’m grand with that. I was lucky to have them.’
Graham Norton writes so well - it is such a great story with memorable characters and is beautifully written with not only attention to detail but encapsulates all the themes of love and loss, family and friends. This is one the story of one woman’s journey and Graham draws the reader in until you think he is describing one of your friends.
‘To know that you’ve known happiness, to know that you’ve been loved, there is a great comfort in that.’
Take a trip with older Frankie as she looks back on her life sharing her story with her carer. It sucks you in and you don’t realise how so until you are grieved that it has come to an end. You will laugh, you will cry but you will not soon forget the remarkable story of Frankie.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
April 22, 2025
I don't know anything about Graham Norton except that he has a BBC television talk show. When I saw that he writes books, I thought I'd give his latest a try.
I enjoyed the setting, beginning in Ireland, with the majority taking place in NYC amidst the art scene of the 60's through 80's.
I found it slow-going throughout the middle, sometimes a tad aimless.
I rooted for Frankie from start to finish, but the story didn't have big oomph for me. Kindof melancholic, somewhat heartwarming.
"To know that you've known happiness, to know that you've been loved, there is a great comfort in that."
I enjoyed the setting, beginning in Ireland, with the majority taking place in NYC amidst the art scene of the 60's through 80's.
I found it slow-going throughout the middle, sometimes a tad aimless.
I rooted for Frankie from start to finish, but the story didn't have big oomph for me. Kindof melancholic, somewhat heartwarming.
"To know that you've known happiness, to know that you've been loved, there is a great comfort in that."
December 14, 2024
Absolutely loved this. Graham Norton on audio is excellent and must always do his own books….i cannot imagine reading them as they are great on audio
Brilliant story of Frankie’s life it went from Ireland to America to London. I was just left wanting a little more form the ending but otherwise adored the characters
Brilliant story of Frankie’s life it went from Ireland to America to London. I was just left wanting a little more form the ending but otherwise adored the characters
November 4, 2025
Frankie is a warm-hearted, well-written novel that invites reflection on what it means to live. to love, to observe, and to be seen. It may not be flawless, but it accomplishes exactly what good books do: it becomes a companion, leaves you thinking, and touches you in small ways. I was pleasantly surprised that Graham Norton writes. But I must admit that he writes very well. He is able to capture a wide sweep of social scenes like post-war Ireland, London in the 1960s, and the vibrant art and restaurant world of New York.
What I liked the most about the book is the narrative trope used by the author. I loved the narrative device of an old woman telling her story to her young caretaker, creating a warm, reflective tone that invites you in. It reminds you of this wisdom, which people gain through the trials and tribulations of life. It's just that more often than not, there are no great listeners. I think most humans just need somebody to let out exactly what they feel. The friendship between Frankie and Damian anchors the story with humanity and connection.
What I particularly appreciated was how mundane moments and memory fragments combine into something larger: themes of love, resilience, regret, and the unexpected way life unfolds. I was hooked on the story of Frankie, and I indeed loved it.
What I liked the most about the book is the narrative trope used by the author. I loved the narrative device of an old woman telling her story to her young caretaker, creating a warm, reflective tone that invites you in. It reminds you of this wisdom, which people gain through the trials and tribulations of life. It's just that more often than not, there are no great listeners. I think most humans just need somebody to let out exactly what they feel. The friendship between Frankie and Damian anchors the story with humanity and connection.
What I particularly appreciated was how mundane moments and memory fragments combine into something larger: themes of love, resilience, regret, and the unexpected way life unfolds. I was hooked on the story of Frankie, and I indeed loved it.
July 21, 2024
Favourite author feels over this one! Frankie by Graham Norton is everything we've come to expect from one of his novels, brimming with emotion and connection. He writes about life with exceptional clarity. Spanning decades, from post war Ireland to 1960s London, then onto NewYork and back to London again in the late 1980s through to present day, this story unfolds in pieces, from girlhood to old age, we bear witness to Frankie's life, the lows, the highs, the heartaches and the victories. So many heartaches though.
When Frankie requires an in home nurse after a fall, it's a young Irish carer living and working in London who arrives on the scene. Prickly at first, Frankie warms to him rapidly, and they pass the time with Frankie telling a willing Damian her life story. Frankie's life is long and there are many eras she has lived through, but the one that made the most impact in the telling, at least for me, was the Aids epidemic in New York in the 1980s. Norton writes of this period with such finesse, the impact of it upon his characters, and his readers, immeasurable.
This story flows like silk, it's beautifully written with such wonderful characters and such attention to historical detail. Above all, it is a novel of friendship and love. Another five star read by Graham Norton. Just divine.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for the copy!
When Frankie requires an in home nurse after a fall, it's a young Irish carer living and working in London who arrives on the scene. Prickly at first, Frankie warms to him rapidly, and they pass the time with Frankie telling a willing Damian her life story. Frankie's life is long and there are many eras she has lived through, but the one that made the most impact in the telling, at least for me, was the Aids epidemic in New York in the 1980s. Norton writes of this period with such finesse, the impact of it upon his characters, and his readers, immeasurable.
This story flows like silk, it's beautifully written with such wonderful characters and such attention to historical detail. Above all, it is a novel of friendship and love. Another five star read by Graham Norton. Just divine.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for the copy!
July 3, 2024
This book pulled me in and held me to the very last page. Damian is a young person that goes in and supports this is where he came across Frankie and Nor.
Frankie had a very full life of friendships and love. Telling her life story to Damian you take a step back through time into the life of Frankie and Nor
So beautifully written. I cried I laughed and I felt. An amazing art to be able to draw a reader in so fully into a story.
Thank you for giving me the privilege to read this advanced copy.
Frankie had a very full life of friendships and love. Telling her life story to Damian you take a step back through time into the life of Frankie and Nor
So beautifully written. I cried I laughed and I felt. An amazing art to be able to draw a reader in so fully into a story.
Thank you for giving me the privilege to read this advanced copy.
September 30, 2024
What a beautiful novel exquisitely read by Graham
Norton. His books get better and better. I had to stop listening last night because it was so very sad. Compulsive story and wonderfully put together.
Norton. His books get better and better. I had to stop listening last night because it was so very sad. Compulsive story and wonderfully put together.
September 11, 2024
Honestly, Graham Norton has no right to be this talented. What an absolutely breathtaking novel - all of his novels are excellent but I think this might be my absolute favourite. 10/10 no notes.
August 29, 2025
Just loved this book.
May 3, 2025
3.75 stars.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, but when it moved to NYC and got into the art/theater/party scene a bit, which shifted one of the character's arcs, it became less enjoyable for me. However I enjoy his writing and would def. read more by him.
This is a dual-timeline narrative that follows Frankie as a young, orphaned woman in the 50s/60s and then as an older woman needing care in the present day. She forms a relationship with the young man who is sent by the agency to stay with her during the night and winds up telling him the story of her life.
Her story is quite interesting and although we were kind of prepared for the ending, there was a twist I didn't fully expect, which was great.
The audio version is read by the author, and even though those usually make me cringe, as authors are not professional narrators, I thought Norton did a fine job with the narration of his book.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, but when it moved to NYC and got into the art/theater/party scene a bit, which shifted one of the character's arcs, it became less enjoyable for me. However I enjoy his writing and would def. read more by him.
This is a dual-timeline narrative that follows Frankie as a young, orphaned woman in the 50s/60s and then as an older woman needing care in the present day. She forms a relationship with the young man who is sent by the agency to stay with her during the night and winds up telling him the story of her life.
Her story is quite interesting and although we were kind of prepared for the ending, there was a twist I didn't fully expect, which was great.
The audio version is read by the author, and even though those usually make me cringe, as authors are not professional narrators, I thought Norton did a fine job with the narration of his book.
September 26, 2024
This story falls flat for me I’m afraid, firstly it is actually quite different from what I thought it would be about, which is focusing on the friendship between, the young carer, Damian and Frankie, an elderly woman. Instead, it’s more like Damian is there just as a tool, enabling Frankie to tell us her stories. But that’s okay, I do loving reading stories that surprises me, but I was just not that interested in this particular story, that said, I did really enjoy the part about when they were young and growing up in Ireland, but the rest is just long and flat, not Frankie, she is the heart and soul of the story (of course), but the story just did appeal to me, (maybe because I wasn’t the target reader?) so I’m glad that I finally finished it.
October 1, 2024
"You should be the main character in your own life - but Frankie never was"
Well neither was she in this book.
Well neither was she in this book.
September 5, 2024
Frankie is one of those characters who is really memorable. The main character of Graham Norton's latest novel is an elderly lady when we first meet her, grudgingly reliant on carers following a fall. Like Frankie, young carer Damian is also from Ireland and the two strike up a friendship. Frankie begins to open up to Damian and reveals much of her remarkable life.
I really liked Frankie as a character and felt so much empathy for her as a young girl married off to an older man, a man of the church but most definitely not showing caring Christian ways. The failure of the marriage, not Frankie's failure, led her to live in London and then on to New York. I enjoyed reading about her life and her resilience. From difficult beginnings in Ireland, Frankie took advantage of opportunities offered to her and what a life she had.
The standout part of the book for me was the friendship between Frankie and Norah. Friends as children, they parted ways but in later life were incredibly close. We follow these women through the ups and downs of life and although it took them in very different directions, they were always there for each other and remained close through their lives.
Although I did enjoy the book, it isn't my favourite of Graham Norton's books - that would be Home Stretch. For me, the story lost its way a little in the New York section of the book. When Frankie met and married, the parts of the book relating to her husband's art career felt like it didn't add anything to the book for me. Having said that, I found the scenes when AIDS began to cause such fear and devastation to the gay community very moving.
I find it quite interesting that the tagline for this book is that Frankie was never the main character in her own life. I think she absolutely was the main character albeit perhaps in a quiet way. She was so central to the lives of so many of the characters. I'm glad I read Frankie's story and although I didn't love this book, I would certainly read more by Graham Norton again. His style of writing is insightful, often witty and very engaging.
I really liked Frankie as a character and felt so much empathy for her as a young girl married off to an older man, a man of the church but most definitely not showing caring Christian ways. The failure of the marriage, not Frankie's failure, led her to live in London and then on to New York. I enjoyed reading about her life and her resilience. From difficult beginnings in Ireland, Frankie took advantage of opportunities offered to her and what a life she had.
The standout part of the book for me was the friendship between Frankie and Norah. Friends as children, they parted ways but in later life were incredibly close. We follow these women through the ups and downs of life and although it took them in very different directions, they were always there for each other and remained close through their lives.
Although I did enjoy the book, it isn't my favourite of Graham Norton's books - that would be Home Stretch. For me, the story lost its way a little in the New York section of the book. When Frankie met and married, the parts of the book relating to her husband's art career felt like it didn't add anything to the book for me. Having said that, I found the scenes when AIDS began to cause such fear and devastation to the gay community very moving.
I find it quite interesting that the tagline for this book is that Frankie was never the main character in her own life. I think she absolutely was the main character albeit perhaps in a quiet way. She was so central to the lives of so many of the characters. I'm glad I read Frankie's story and although I didn't love this book, I would certainly read more by Graham Norton again. His style of writing is insightful, often witty and very engaging.
October 21, 2024
My first read by Graham Norton and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Read it over two days on a long weekend in Mallorca and it was a perfect poolside read - great story which I thought conjured up the vibrancy and freedom of New York during that time. I found it really easy to get into and stick with, nice pace overall and I loved the development of Frankie, Damien and Nor’s friendship over the course of the book. G’wan Graham!💪🏻
March 2, 2025
When I started this I was convinced I would be saying this was Graham’s best. I loved Frankie and her early story but when she found herself in New York it’s where I found it started to lose its way. I found there to be a lot of filler and empty pages. Frankie’s story seemed to get away from her. The ending rushed it too.
October 26, 2024
Abandoned at 44%.
I can’t with another mundane story about a woman leaving her rural Irish village, then going to London, and miraculously finding herself in New York.
The storytelling is awful,condescending and boring.
I don’t care how they dress, eat, do but how they feel.
I can’t with another mundane story about a woman leaving her rural Irish village, then going to London, and miraculously finding herself in New York.
The storytelling is awful,condescending and boring.
I don’t care how they dress, eat, do but how they feel.
February 16, 2026
4.5⭐️ in the Frankie Howe fan club for ever 😭❤️
Read
January 24, 2026lesbians are evil
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,042 reviews