Loving Frank by Nancy Horan Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Loving Frank
Book Review: Love doesn't always conquer all
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a beautifully written book, a novelization of the life of two real people who famously created a scandal by falling in love and running off together, even though both were married to others at the time. You understand clearly the overwhelming passions that caused them to feel that they were meant for one another. But you also understand the pain and problems caused by what can only be seen as their selfishness in pursuing their dream at the expense of others. It is interesting also as a picture of a different time with different ideas of, and ways of dealing with morality as well as a look at how feminism was affecting everyone. Also,there is fascinating detail about Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture. Book Review: A masterpiece for a first-time writer
Summary: 5 Stars
I have just finished this exceptional work and can only now exhale. Such an exquisite experience as Nancy Horan provides with this telling of the intertwining lives and love of Mamah Borthwick Cheney and Wright can only be savored in its fullness breathlessly as you turn the pages, devouring each delicious and disturbing twist as the characters' changing relationship and ideals unfold. When my Bas Bleu catalog came two days ago, the review of this book caught my eye and I called our library and learned they had it. Having seen it on the NY Times Best Sellers list for several weeks with its rather dull description, something about Frank Lloyd Wright, I'd not been interested. Do not be misled - this is a masterpiece that will grip and stretch you until you want to enfold these characters and their whole world - their joys, their sorrows, their humiliations, their honesty, their courage, their grace, their tenderness, their ideals - in your heart. And you will.Book Review: Liking Frank
Summary: 3 Stars
After reading several lackluster reviews, I almost passed on this. Don't make that mistake.
I can't think of a recent book that has earned more groundless two-star reviews. It's certainly understandable that isn't for every taste, but the specific criticisms on the book's style simply are not valid.
The prose is not plodding nor is it purple. Mameh is not one-dimensional. Conflict comes naturally from the characters, and the characters are created with care, credibility, and (as much as we can know) historical accuracy.
Book Review: Four and a half stars
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a terrific novel. The dialog was witty and natural and the events, especially at the end, read like the plot of a best-selling thriller, except for the unfortunate outcome. The moral dilemma inherent in the story is not down-played in the least, but in fact creates the dramatic tension in the book. Horan is a first-class writer; I would not hesitate to buy her next work.Book Review: Loving Frank a little less....
Summary: 3 Stars
For Frank Lloyd Wright fans, familiar with his somewhat scandalous personal history will enjoy this story - but it does somewhat dredge on, and frankly (no pun intended) I am not at all sure why Frank so addored Mamah - she is not the most "loving" character, actually quite selfish, although she did put up with alot of Frank's shenanigans - however, in the end, they lead to her and her children's tragic end, as selfishness often does. A cautionary tale, interesting for history buffs - but not great reading or writing.