Frank & Red by Matt Coyne
Frank & Red is a feel good read and first novel by Matt Coyne – the blogger behind Man versus Baby. Published in 2024, I remember there being a buzz about Frank & Red last year, so I decided to read it.
Frank is a grumpy widower who has fallen out with his son and no longer sees his friends. He talks to his dead wife and seems a lot older than his 67 years.
Red is a 6 year old boy who moves in next door to Frank and immediately tries to make friends. Red is confused by his parents splitting up and unhappy to be living in a new part of London, away from his friends and his old school. The new boy attracts the attention of the class bully, but Red doesn’t want to tell his mum and upset her.
Spoiler alert – the blurb of Frank & Red says ‘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’. This is not true. It actually takes Frank a very long time to make friends with Red.
This is a moving and humorous read, which had me in tears a few times. Frank is a sweary old man and Red seems a very typical 6 year old with his incessant chatter and all the obsessions little boys have.
It’s not the best grumpy old man makes young friend book there is. That particular crown belongs to A Man Called Ove, in my opinion. But it is a close second! If you’re looking for an easy feel good read, I would definitely recommend Frank & Red.
I watched About a Boy yesterday which is very dated but it’s good when a young person can connect with an older stranger in a good way, it can be helpful for both and this sounds like that kind of book. A Man Called Ove is a big favourite of mine too.
I used to love that film and I read the book too many, many years ago. A Man Called Ove is such a beautiful book.