Frankie

Frankie Howe has lived a long life, and her small flat is crammed with art, furniture, and memories. Her young carer, Damian, listens as she gradually shares pieces of her past, a story that leads into a daring, progressive world of New York artists on the brink of fame, aspiring writers, and larger-than-life characters.

In that world, young Frankie always stays on the edge of things, watching, never quite confident enough to take center stage. But being an outsider has its advantages: she notices what others miss and can influence events without drawing attention. When the map has been lost, though, it is anyone's guess where you will end up, or what accidental choices you will have made along the way. Frankie finds that life is not always the one she hoped for or the one others expected of her.

The novel moves from post-war Ireland to the vivid art scene of 1960s New York by way of London, spanning decades. It is about love, bravery, and what it means to live a significant life. Frankie is by Graham Norton, the Irish broadcaster and novelist.