Frank and Red

LoveReading Says

Melding relatable real-life trials with first-class observational humour, Matt Coyne’s Frank and Red is the kind of read-in-one-sitting charmer that makes time stand still, while leaving you wondering how you raced through the story so fast. 

As for the story, it’s centred on grumpy old Frank — a writer who lost his mojo the moment he lost his wife Marcie. Since her passing, he’s cut himself off from the world and only communicates with Marcie, who appears around the house, trying to gee him up into re-engaging with the world beyond their four walls. Estranged from their son, and outrageously rude to his friends, Frank pretty much only leaves the house to put out the bins. 

Then he spies a new neighbour over the garden fence — Red, an energetic six-year-old who’s struggling with his parents’ separation and settling into a new school. An emotionally intelligent darling who loves Pokémon, bouncing on his trampoline, and asking Frank lots of questions. When an incident at school (not Red’s fault) throws Frank and Red together, an unlikely transformational friendship is born. 

Driven by top-notch dialogue, this uplifting tale lays bare truths of the heart with a funny, tender touch. 

Reviewed by Joanne Owen
Joanne Owen’s lifelong love of reading and writing began when she was growing up in Pembrokeshire, and very much wished that witches (and Mrs Pepperpot) were real.
More reviews by Joanne Owen

About Frank and Red

'Best book of the year!' ? ? ? ? ?'A fantastic debut' ? ? ? ? ?The brilliant, heart-warming debut novel from the Sunday Times best-selling author of Dummy and Man vs Toddler'A lovely feel-good treat' The Times | 'Simply perfect' Daily Mirror | 'Hilariously funny... and beneath it all really quite lovely' The Metro | Brilliant, just brilliant' Huffington Post | Debut of the Year Woman and Home | A Prima Book of The Year__________________Sometimes, the friend you need is the one you never saw coming.Frank and Red are a mess.Frank is a grumpy old curmudgeon. A recluse whose only company is the 'ghost' of his dead wife, Marcie. He is estranged from his friends, his son, and the ever-changing world beyond his front gate. And then Red moves in next door.Red is six. A boy struggling to adjust to the separation of his mum and dad, a new school, and the demonic school bully. Red is curious, smart, he never stops talking, and he's got a trampoline. From the moment Red's blonde mop appears over the top of the fence that divides their two gardens, the unlikeliest of friendships is born. . . . And it is a friendship that will change both of their lives forever.Readers CAN'T GET ENOUGH of this INCREDIBLY MOVING debut novel:'Raw, real and heartrending, uplifting and simply a delicious read' ? ? ? ? ?'Moving and funny, uplifting and full of hope' ? ? ? ? ?'Stunningly well-written, warm hearted, incredibly funny and moving story' ? ? ? ? ?'A beautifully written, warm and empathic read' ? ? ? ? ?

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