BKMT READING GUIDES



 
Fun,
Interesting,
Optimistic

9 reviews

Be Frank With Me: A Novel
by Julia Claiborne Johnson

Published: 2016-02-02
Hardcover : 304 pages
4 members reading this now
42 clubs reading this now
4 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 9 of 9 members

A sparkling talent makes her fiction debut with this infectious novel that combines the charming pluck of Eloise, the poignant psychological quirks of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and the page-turning spirit of Where’d You Go, Bernadette.

Reclusive literary legend M. ...

No other editions available.
Add to Club Selections
Add to Possible Club Selections
Add to My Personal Queue
Jump to

Introduction

A sparkling talent makes her fiction debut with this infectious novel that combines the charming pluck of Eloise, the poignant psychological quirks of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and the page-turning spirit of Where’d You Go, Bernadette.

Reclusive literary legend M. M. “Mimi” Banning has been holed up in her Bel Air mansion for years. But after falling prey to a Bernie Madoff-style ponzi scheme, she’s flat broke. Now Mimi must write a new book for the first time in decades, and to ensure the timely delivery of her manuscript, her New York publisher sends an assistant to monitor her progress. The prickly Mimi reluctantly complies—with a few stipulations: No Ivy-Leaguers or English majors. Must drive, cook, tidy. Computer whiz. Good with kids. Quiet, discreet, sane.

When Alice Whitley arrives at the Banning mansion, she’s put to work right away—as a full-time companion to Frank, the writer’s eccentric nine-year-old, a boy with the wit of Noel Coward, the wardrobe of a 1930s movie star, and very little in common with his fellow fourth-graders.

As she slowly gets to know Frank, Alice becomes consumed with finding out who Frank’s father is, how his gorgeous “piano teacher and itinerant male role model” Xander fits into the Banning family equation—and whether Mimi will ever finish that book.

Full of heart and countless “only-in-Hollywood” moments, Be Frank with Me is a captivating and unconventional story of an unusual mother and son, and the intrepid young woman who finds herself irresistibly pulled into their unforgettable world.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

No Excerpt Currently Available

Discussion Questions

1. How does the author use physical details and dialogue to quickly establish who the character of Frank is? What were the passages that really made Frank come alive for you?

2. Can you think of a few authors who might have inspired the character of M.M. Banning? Did any of these authors write a book that was meaningful to you?

3. In what ways does the author contrast the Old Hollywood that Frank loves with the new Los Angeles which he inhabits?
4. Why do you think Alice lies and says she has not read Mimi’s book? What advantage does this give her?

5. Frank is never given an explicit diagnosis of autism, though he does have remarkable gifts and an unorthodox way of interacting socially that suggests he falls somewhere on the spectrum. Do you think the author made a conscious choice to avoid giving Frank a diagnosis of any kind? If so, why?

6. A security guard mistaking Alice for Frank’s mother says, “You need to fill the house up with more like him. You need to fill up the world.” Over the past decade the number of children with autism has risen significantly. There are theories that autism is a rapid form of evolution. Do you think this is possible? What are some of Frank’s traits that would support success in today’s society or in a future society?

7. In Chapter 14, when Alice says, “If you’d like to keep believing in the perfection of Xander Devlin...you’ll need to ignore certain events that occurred during this time,” what do you think the author is trying to show us about Xander, and about his relationships with both Alice and Mimi?

8. Do you think Mimi was right to buy t-shirts and jeans for Frank? Why or why not?

9. What do you think Xander means when he tells Alice that she’s “not curious,” but selfish? Do you agree?

10. Why do you think Mimi is so dismissive of Alice when Alice is only trying to help her?

11. Why do you think Mimi needed to leave and go to the motel? What exactly did she need a break from?

12. Alice, Mimi, Frank, Xander and Mr. Vargas have all learned things from each other by the end of the novel. What are some of the things they’ve helped each other realize?

Suggested by Members

Autism Spectrum
Symbolism of settings
Characterization overall - What worked (or not) in this novel
by [email protected] (see profile) 03/19/17

Autism/Aspergers
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-pauline-lowry/be-frank-with-me-a-chat-w_b_9135288.html
by ncvlib (see profile) 05/11/16

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

Heartwarming
by ccoyne (see profile) 02/17/17
Alice Whitley is a young publishing assistant who is sent to oversee a reclusive author's new work. M.M. Banning published one extremely successful and popular novel before retreating behind the walls of her Bel Air mansion. Now middle ages and the mother of 9-year old Frank, she is being forced to publish a second novel after losing her fortune to an unscrupulous investor. Alice soon take charge of Frank while M.M.pounds the typewriter behind a closed office door. Frank is not your ordinary child. He is extremely intelligent and well mannered, dresses like a 1940s movie actor and does not get a long well with the children in school. This is a heartwarming story that is full of humor and hard to put down. I hated having to leave these characters at the end of the book. Highly recommended!!!

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "Beautiful "by liz p. (see profile) 09/06/19

Alice is sent by her boss, a publisher, to oversea a new book being written be a reclusive author, Mimi, who wrote one great novel many years ago. Mimi has lost all of her money by unscrupul... (read more)

 
by Maureen W. (see profile) 06/07/19

 
by Allison I. (see profile) 07/16/18

 
by Anna B. (see profile) 07/19/17

 
by Lisa M. (see profile) 03/19/17

 
  "Delightful story with most charming protagonist"by Jodie B. (see profile) 03/14/17

4 & 1/2 stars. Such a delightful, charming book. Richly peopled with characters you won't soon forget, particularly the title character, Frank. Time well spent exploring the world of the tiny protagonist... (read more)

 
by Catherine C. (see profile) 02/17/17

 
by Rosemary W. (see profile) 09/19/16

 
by angie s. (see profile) 09/12/16

 
  "Like Watching a Turner Classic Movie Marathon"by Nancy B. (see profile) 08/02/16

I don't know when I have read a book that made me smile as much as Be Frank With Me. "Frank" is a young autistic, eccentric young man whose love is old black and white movies and whose mind ... (read more)

Rate this book
MEMBER LOGIN
Remember me
BECOME A MEMBER it's free

Book Club HQ to over 88,000+ book clubs and ready to welcome yours.

SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES Search
Search




FEATURED EVENTS
PAST AUTHOR CHATS
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Please wait...