Sinatraland

About this book

By turns riotous and poignant Sam Kashners Sinatraland introduces a remarkable character and a talented new writer to contemporary American fiction. Sam Kashners darkly brilliant first novel tells the story of Finkie Finkelstein businessman from New Jersey and lovingly obsessed fan of Frank Sinatra. To Finkie Frank is the model of a man: elegant sophisticated talented with charm to spare. All of Finkles decisions his choice of house (the largest home in Fort Lee. The real estate agent told me it briefly belonged to Buddy Hacket) the name of his daughter (Nancy Ava after Sinatras first two wives) are made with Frank in mind. Now if only he could let Frank know how much he means to him...Through a series of unanswered letters to his idol Finkies life unfolds a life where Sinatra is center stage while all the rest takes a backseat. In Sinatraland Finkies trials are numerous: a failing marriage; a strained relationship with both his daughter and his brother; an ill-fated affair with an office co-worker but as long as Frank comes out with a new record or film theres always hope. And indeed Finkies life takes an extraordinary turn when he attends the Chairmans famed farewell concert in 1971 an experience that is proof positive of his belief. Its a crazy world Francis is it not?