Sinatraland: A Novel

by Sam Kashner

Meet Finkie businessman from New Jersey, lovingly obsessed fan of Old Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra. To Finkie, Frank is the model of a man -- elegant, sophisticated, talented, with charm to spare. Finkie has modeled his life after his idol; he's seen all the movies, bought all of the records, even formed his own little Rat Pack at work. All his life decisions are made with Frank in mind. Now if only he could let Frank know how much he means to him...
Through a series of letters to his idol, Finkie's life unfolds; a life where Sinatra is center stage, while all the rest takes a backseat. In Sinatraland, Finkie's trials are a failing marriage, a strained relationship with both his daughter and his brother, an ill-fated affair with an office coworker. But as long as Frank comes out with a new record or film, there's always hope.
By turns riotous and poignant, Sinatraland lays bare the funniest and most twisted corners of the male mind and brings back to life America's most beloved bad boy. Sinatraland introduces Sam Kashner as a sparkling new voice in literary fiction.

Genres: Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jill Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never heard of this book before I bought it. It seemed like an interesting premise and it is. The story develops through letters to Finkie’s hero, Sinatra.

I thought it was clever, I’ve never read anything quite like it. And the story that develops is pretty interesting. It’s a little slow at times and Finkie’s devotion to Sinatra can be frustrating. But overall, I enjoyed it.

[Marisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, difficult to relate to, and pointless. Also, every time Finkie says the name of the person he’s talking to, take a shot. You’ll be trashed before you even get through the third page.

[Alison Winfield-Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.