Loving Frank by Nancy Horan Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Loving Frank
Book Review: Quite an intriguing story...
Summary: 3 Stars
As a designer living in Los Angeles, FLW looms fairly large in my world as a general influence on the architecture and aesthetic of the 20th century. I don't know much about him, but I know I can't throw a rock without hitting a FLW building, FLW furniture at the flea market, or some kind of design element influenced by him. Therefore, even on a base level, it was interesting to read this book just to glean some insight on the history of his career, if only for the period of time he was with Mamah Cheney. However, I found myself enjoying the novel purely for the fictionalized aspects of the relationship as well as the elements of truth.
The thing that always gets me about biographies is that somehow, they are all the same. Perhaps it's the lives that are chosen to be depicted, or just the structure inherent in describing the course of a life, but they always follow the same pattern, a sort of rise-fall-rise so we're left with the idea that we should be elevated by how this person pulled themselves out of the pit to end in triumph. Interestingly, this is not the case with this book, which might also be its problem. I had no idea who Mamah Cheney was, much less about her life works and what happened at the end of her life, so things were somewhat of a shock to me because they lacked the typical rigid structure I've always found in biographies. Mamah's actions happened with little preparation and played out with even less understanding. This might be the way it actually happened, or, by the author's own admittance, it might not; but regardless, it was a curiously jarring series of events culminating in a truly bizarre conclusion.
Book Review: Interesting story of a great architect.
Summary: 5 Stars
A novel based on fact. The places,people and events are real. Nacy Horan brings these people to us in such away, you feel like you are right there with them.Book Review: You will walk in her shoes for better or worse!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love the escape of historical fiction. Reading this book was like living another life (or at least seven years) with these characters. They are not always loveable, but they seemed very authentic to me. If you are very judgemental about extra-marital affairs, it may be hard to even like these characters. But if you allow yourself to fall into step through the mundane and tragic, you will never forget this one!
Personally, I fell in love with Mamah. Some reviewers despised her because she seemed to leave her husband without justification. To me, that is the one of the most intriguing actions of a woman in her time. She might have had more cause for desertion in real life, but I chose to see her as someone who couldn't pretend to love her husband as much as she loved Frank. I wish that the author would have given us more insight into their private love affair, but considering all that Mamah gave up and endured, it must have been a powerful connection.
Highly recommended for those who love a good cry!
Book Review: Loving Frank
Summary: 5 Stars
An incredible story of an icon in American architecture. Reading this has not only given me perspective into the age of Frank Lloyd Wright, but has made me passioante about seeing his work & studio firsthand! Our book club read this selection, and we all enjoyed a great discussion of the issues the book brought up.Book Review: Seeing Frank Lloyd Wright from a different perspective
Summary: 4 Stars
Loving Frank was a book club selection. I was raised in Wisconsin and have visited Spring Green, and reading about this area and Frank Lloyd Wright's personal life from Mamah's perspective was interesting to me. Realizing that it is fiction, but historically correct, this book was a good read, and a great book club discussion novel.