false 898885 0345494997 9780345494993 10993 3267 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179285637m/898885.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/898885.Loving_Frank 460979 Nancy Horan 11589 3476 2 31 false Wed Jun 25 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Wed Apr 16 07:04:31 -0700 2008 Wed Jun 25 10:29:22 -0700 2008
What I didn't like was Mamah, who was unfortunately the main character of the book. Mamah Cheney was a client of FLW's and they had an affair that spanned several years. It didn't bother me to read about their affair (the book was fairly tame in that regard), but I did find it highly objectionable that Mamah felt in order to be herself as a woman, she needed to abandon her children and husband.

I detest the idea that being a strong woman means being selfish, which I felt was implied throughout this book by Mamah's thoughts and actions. Isn't it MORE difficult to fulfill your obligations than to do whatever you want? Doesn't it make you a stronger woman to be responsible instead of meeting only your own needs?

I would like to think I'm a strong woman (perhaps too strong sometimes?) and I hope my daughters and others will look back on my life as something of value because I worked to stay myself while still loving others deeply and putting those I love before my own wishes, hopes and desires. I guess I was left feeling that "Loving Frank" was not a worthwhile proposition if loving him meant giving up so much of what is really important.]]>