Books - Frinkles

	Books - Frinkles

Frinkles (2003) is the title of a multi-part novel written by Florida-based author Eddie Wayne May, named after the fictional store Frinkles Fashion and Clothing run by the character Ray Frinkle. Part I was first published in 2003, followed by Part II in 2004. It employs a sprawling cast of characters to tell a story of random connections and strange coincidence among a group of Pensecola residents.

Eddie Wayne May, whose real name was Edward Mayton, passed away on January 17, 2006 at the age of 54. He was reportedly working on Part III of his Frinkles story, although it is unknown whether he finished or if what he wrote will ever be published.

Story

Ray Frinkles, owner of Frinkles Clothing and Fashion, is in financial trouble following the bizarre death of his business partner in a skydiving accident. Overcome with grief, Mr. Frinkles is rescued from ruin when his partner's brother, John Spark, rallies support to save the business. In the process, Spark finds himself falling in love with Deb Good, a dear friend and classmate he has brought in to help on the project. A chance encounter with a cruise ship captain leads to an unexpected midnight cruise on the Crystal Sea, where they are introduced to a strange and often unpredictable band of merrymakers, who are involved in a Good Will project of their own: helping a former employee cope with pregnancy in the aftermath of her brutal rape.

Part II begins with Shay (the rape victim) giving birth to the baby she will raise with Raph, a former boyfriend and co-worker who still carries a torch for her. The rest of the book focuses mainly on Christy and her daughter Faye, who has just suffered a miscarriage in the same hospital where Raph, Jr. was born. Christy is introduced to Captain White, the captain of The Crystal Sea, who invites them onboard for a free cruise. While Christy helps Captain White prepare for the joint weddings of John and Deb and Raph and Shay, she finds herself falling in love. (Christy is later revealed to be the widow of Ray Frinkle's business partner.) As the chain of characters grows, link by link, we see how each random act of kindness spreads from one group of characters to the next, and what at first appears to be a neo-Joycean, stream of consciousness-driven narrative gradually reveals a Higher Purpose behind its occasionally unpredictable storyline.

Wayne May was reportedly working on Part III before he passed away in January 2006, but it is unknown if the book was close to being finished or if it will be published at any future date.

Characters

Ray Frinkle, struggling owner of Frinkles' Fashion Clothing

John Spark, grieving brother of Ray Frinkle's departed business partner, Rick Spark
Deb Good, John Spark's classmate and love interest
Raph Singer, Crystal Sea employee, ex-boyfriend of Shay
Shay, pregnant rape victim and former co-worker and girlfriend of Raph Singer

Sandy, Crystal Sea employee and friend of Shay and Patsy and Raph, secretly jealous of Deb Good
Patsy, Crystal Sea employee and friend of Shay and Sandy and Raph, secretly fond of Sandy
Ricky, magical steward on Crystal Sea, whose very presence seems to instigate fantastical goings-on, secretly fond of Faye and any other women

Faye, possible date rape victim who failed to carry baby to term; daughter of Christy
Christy, widow of Rick Spark, falls in love with Captain White
Captain White, captain of The Crystal Sea; masterminds Dual Weddings onboard his vessel, leading to a completely unexpected THIRD wedding
Captain Bob, barely qualified co-captain of The Crystal Sea; uses time at the helm to date women he met onboard

Gary/Alex Letterhead, John and Deb's teacher, who rallies his students to help Ray Frinkle; has a Master's Degree in Marketing and Fashion
Hilda, Deb's best friend; possibly the daughter of Gary Letterhead
Dr. Delivery, Shay's doctor and cousin
Flo, Shay's mother
Gail Saladmaker, Christy's mother
Terry, car accident victim hired by Deb and John to work at Frinkles; hopes to become a nurse
Charla, Terry's mother; promised to get Terry a cell phone for her birthday but then changed her mind and bought one for herself instead
Edna, singer in band hired to play at weddings; love interest of Ray Frinkle

Interpretation and influence

Frinkles is notable as an ensemble story, with multiple protagonists whose stories often veer in unpredictable directions. May has categorized the novel as "a romance drama about people helping people during difficult times" and emphasized that it is "a positive, love-filled story that illustrates the importance of building dreams and working together to fulfill needs." The plot hinges on a handful of dark and tragic events, and the books do not shy away from depicting some of the more awkward and embarrassing facets of human sexuality, yet the tone remains light throughout, as May focuses on the Good Works that people are capable of, in the spirt of the hit film Pay It Forward.

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