Loving Frank: A Novel by Nancy Horan Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Loving Frank: A Novel
Book Review: A Novel Menagerie's Perspective on LOVING FRANK
Summary: 4 Stars
I have seen some mention of this book around the blogging community, but knew nothing about it when I purchased it in January. I was not familiar with the historical background of this story, nor the popularity of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural designs. In fact, while reading the book, it had not dawned on me that this was, in fact, based on a true story. Now, I am even sadder.
As Random House summarizes above, this is a story about the woman that Wright fell in love with and became a better man for. This is more so a story of her quest for self-discovery and living a life true to her heart's desires, despite the social consequences of her decisions. Mamah (pronounced "May-Mah") and Frank fell in love with each other, over a period of years, after Frank designed a home for her and her husband, Edwin. Mamah was raising, with help, her sister's child as well as two of her own, John and Martha. Frank was married to Catherine and they had six children.
In the early 1900's, divorce was highly unattainable and required two years of separation from your spouse to obtain. In most cases, the women were not granted custody of her children in the case of divorce. Consequently, leaving Edwin to pursue a life with Frank meant a high probability of losing her kids. As hard as I try, I cannot imagine being faced with that decision and electing to chose a man over my kids. To me, a life without them would be more unbearable. For Mamah, her soul was unable to fully flourish without Frank and he became her choice.
This is a long story of Mamah's journey, commencing with the affair and leading ultimately to her divorce. In her journey, she attempts to discover a life without Frank nor Edwin and travels to Boulder, CO to stay with her friend, who was due to give birth. She spent a summer with her children in this community, away from both men, and to me was seemingly fairly happy. She considered a life there and a job there. However, Frank invited her to travel to Germany with him for two months to test their relationship and see what it would be like to live together outside of hiding. She accepted. News ran rampid in their hometown of Oak Park, IL. Headlines made waves throughout local and national papers and eventually copies made their way to Frank and Mamah in Germany.
Mamah attempted to create some distance from Frank and work on her own venture of translating a book by Ellen Key on women's rights and love. However, their separation didn't last long and they both ended up in Wisconsin on a venture to build a home and share a life. Mamah attains her divorce despite Frank's inability to obtain one. Some wounds are healed between Maham and Edwin, however her relationship with her children never fully recovers from her abandonment.
The end of the story, I will leave "unspoiled" for those who have not heard it nor read the book. I was shocked at the ending. If you end up reading this book, take some time to visit the above referenced website first. I wish I had. There are great pictures of the characters and the buildings that Frank designed. I had no idea the realm of his creative genius. He designed the Gugganheim in New York... did you know?
On Sher's "Out of Ten Scale:"
This book was excellent. However, it took me longer than most books to read. I don't know why, specifically. However, the read was not difficult and I did want to digest the details brought forth in the novel. This book contains controversy and thought provoking topics and, as such, would make an excellent book club read. This terrific read gains from me, under the genre Fiction:Historical, a 9 out of 10!
Book Review: A Passion Found
Summary: 5 Stars
Loving Frank, purchased at Amazon.com, reminded me of the role so many women play: Second fiddle to their spouses. Thank God Mamah found her passion in time to claim her independence from the man she loved, Frank Lloyd Wright. All he wanted was to possess her. That old adage of letting the bird fly free and he will return to you is so true. Frank found that out, soon enough to love her until her untimely death. It looks like I really liked the book and to tell the truth, it was hard to put it down. I cried at the end.Book Review: A REAL SHOCKER
Summary: 5 Stars
I abosolutely loved thier love story and all they went through during the time period this took place. The affair between 2 married people in the early 1920's was so scandalous it was the big story in the city/town newspaper. It was such a touching story until the very "explosive" ending which left me running to the internet so that I could google to find out if this was fact or fiction. What a shocker!!Book Review: A Slow Read
Summary: 2 Stars
This book is a slow read! I really enjoy historical fiction, and the subject matter and idea for the book is good, but it could be much, much shorter and be just as thorough.
It would be a pretty good book club book, does bring up a lot of interesting issues!
Book Review: A Treasure that's been around for a while: Gem of a first novel
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't believe I've only just now read this book when it seems to have been out there for quite some time! Growing up in Chicago, very near Oak Park, it's impossible not to have some knowledge of Frank Lloyd Wright. This brilliant first novelist takes all the facts and then weaves a tale that rings with truth about a life-altering chapter in Frank Lloyd Wright's life. What you get isn't scandal but a real love story; two people who fall in love with significant consequences because it is, after all the turn of the century, and they are each already married with children.
Get past that her name is Mamah (May-muh). Miss Horan brings you firmly into the lives of FLW and his dear Mamah, who captivates him with her ability to catch his mind, as well as his eye. The themes of allowing room and creating space for one's own inner self and soul to come to full bloom whether male or female, allowing that a woman can be brilliant irrespective of her roles as wife and mother, that a man can be both strong genius and vulnerable seeker of truth, are as fresh today as they were somewhat innovative then. There are many books written about free thinkers who were trapped by the ideology of their time. This book is about two who understood the ideology of the time but also managed to create a place for themselves in spite of it; and creating space was what FLW was all about.
I won't say much more, other reviewers have well and better beat me to it. What I will say is that this book is a journey well worth taking. Miss Horan is a beautiful, lyrical writer. Don't miss it!