Frankie is a sweeping novel, spanning decades.  Starting in post-war Ireland, to New York City to London.  As the novel begins, Frankie is in her 80's and has injured her ankle and needs a caregiver to come in and help her at night.  Enter Damian, he arrives to a somewhat closed off and cold woman, but slowly over time she warms to him and begins to tell her amazing story.  Reliving everything brings her back to life and gives her a purpose.  Damian can't help but fall under the spell of her fantastical life.  She starts as a child, living under very difficult circumstances and follows her as she strives for a better and happier life.  This life takes several dramatic turns and I was totally riveted to the story.  Graham Norton can write such richly drawn characters and I felt Frankie was someone that I knew too.  His storytelling is also second to none!  This was my second book of his that I have read, and this one has definitely put him in the auto-buy author category for me!  I also want to check out more of Norton's backlist titles.  

Frankie's life made me sad at times and also made me laugh out loud.  She wormed her way into my heart and she's a character that I won't soon forget.  A true story of friendship, love and finding yourself and what truly makes you happy in life.  A must read!