I had seen the movie and loved it.  The book has (as usual) so much more detail and even tho the events are different than the movie it definitely holds your attention.  The story is funny and witty and sad and happy.  Frank's sheer audacity and childlike feeling of "aw heck, I'll give it a try" make him quite a lovable character even tho he commits crime, after crime.  I would love to meet him!