Loving Frank: A Novel by Nancy Horan Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Loving Frank: A Novel
Book Review: I was loving Loving Frank!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the fictionalized story of the mistress of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Mamah Borthwick Cheney. She was a real woman who lived an interesting life, but certain private details are added to the facts to round out an enjoyable read. It wasn't a happily ever after love story, but Ms. Horan stayed true to what really happened to this woman in the early part of the century as she struggled against the norms of the times and the conflict within herself as a wife, mother, and woman in love. This was fascinating fiction.
Book Review: Entering another world
Summary: 4 Stars
I found Horan's read to be a fascinating look at another world and culture. The events occur one hundred years ago, yet remain relevant in today's celebrity obsessed world.
Mamah Borthwick's story is a compelling one. It's somewhat astounding that her tale is so often relegated to a mere footnote or aside in the Frank Lloyd Wright story. But here, that slight is corrected as she stands front and center in this fictionalized account of her life. Horan does a good job of presenting Mamah's search for herself in the context of the times. Mamah's decisions all have huge repurcussions for herself, her husband, her children and her lover, but she's willing to risk all for the combined passions of finding herself and loving Frank.
It's interesting how in our modern world, taking time to find one's self is deemed meritorious and reasonable. Contrast it with the rigid societal expectations of the turn of the century. Add in an affair that warranted front page treatment, and perhaps the time is now.
Although the book can be a bit pedantic, and the passion that flamed this relationship merely treated circumspectly, it's definitely worth reading.
Book Review: Loving Frank
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent book from beginning to end. Slow read, really pulls you into the story and you want to take your time when you read it. The end is incredible and not what the reader would expect. If you don't know about the life of Frank Lloyd Wright or his lover Mamah, do not look at any of his work or anything about his life on the internet. It will spoil the book for you. Book Review: Entertaining but could be better
Summary: 3 Stars
I give the author credit for creating an interesting story based on very few remaining sources. My quibble is with the writing. It is hard to be original, but at times the author resorts to romance novel cliches that detract from the storytelling.Book Review: very good and interesting
Summary: 4 Stars
Very good book. I would have been more connected to it if there was deeper character development. It gave good insight into the views of marriage and women in the early 1900s as well as the early career of Frank Lloyd Wright. Mamah and Frank were two people who lived before their times. The decisions that Mamah made were extremely difficult and I'm not sure what I would have done. I very much believe in being in a true, fulfilling, passionate relationship, but having to achieve that at the expense of your children... not so sure. I want to read more about FLW because although he was brilliant and very compelling he seemed like a real narcissist!! I mean, he was FLW, but everything was definitely about him!
But I definitely enjoyed the book and it's definitely worth reading--especially if you like learning while reading fiction which is my favorite.