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Loving Frank
by Nancy Horan
by Nancy Horan
So I realize I have a problem of, you, know, praising a LOT of books I read. And I'm sorry, I try to be honest, I do (and I AM. I just think I pick a lot of winners - ha ;)
But seriously, this book. WOW. WOW. WOW. I love it in a way I haven't loved a book in a while (even all the ones I've said I loved).
First off, for those unfamiliar with the plot, this is historical fiction at its finest — detailing the love affair between FLW and Mamah Cheney. It's a real affair, and the timeline (including an ending I won't say a peep about other than to say IT IS RIVETING) is true.
Sooo.... if you know nothing about the tryst, read about it in this book because it makes it that much more magical.
Remarkably, this is Horan's first book and it is beautiful. She managed to put pieces together of a puzzle that equates to an unbelievable love story but also one that is so true to the time period. And for a story about adulterers (early 20th century adulterers no less!), her even-handed approach to the story leaves you feeling both the joy and sorrow for these two individuals for what they were never allowed to really have.
PS - I'll just add that I know a writer has done a remarkable job when I finish a book and feel so compelled by it that I have to know more about the characters, the settings, etc. Horan has me wanting to read everything about FLW, Taliesin and Mamah Cheney that I can.
PPS - I often write these reviews right after finishing a book, so sorry if I gushed quite a bit. I so wish I could talk about this book with someone else, so people, GET ON IT! ;)
But seriously, this book. WOW. WOW. WOW. I love it in a way I haven't loved a book in a while (even all the ones I've said I loved).
First off, for those unfamiliar with the plot, this is historical fiction at its finest — detailing the love affair between FLW and Mamah Cheney. It's a real affair, and the timeline (including an ending I won't say a peep about other than to say IT IS RIVETING) is true.
Sooo.... if you know nothing about the tryst, read about it in this book because it makes it that much more magical.
Remarkably, this is Horan's first book and it is beautiful. She managed to put pieces together of a puzzle that equates to an unbelievable love story but also one that is so true to the time period. And for a story about adulterers (early 20th century adulterers no less!), her even-handed approach to the story leaves you feeling both the joy and sorrow for these two individuals for what they were never allowed to really have.
PS - I'll just add that I know a writer has done a remarkable job when I finish a book and feel so compelled by it that I have to know more about the characters, the settings, etc. Horan has me wanting to read everything about FLW, Taliesin and Mamah Cheney that I can.
PPS - I often write these reviews right after finishing a book, so sorry if I gushed quite a bit. I so wish I could talk about this book with someone else, so people, GET ON IT! ;)
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Melanie
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rated it 5 stars
Jul 31, 2008 08:33pm
I just finished the book myself and loved it. nice review! i too went straight to the internet to research if this really was based in truth...wow...
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I'm going to Chicago in a few weeks and I plan to make a detour thru Oak Park. Nick and I were in a book store in San Fran (used) and of the MILLIONS of books in there, I found myself sitting and reading this old, beat-up FLW biography. I bet you this book has sparked a lot of people's curiosity about this man! PS - In the biography it said that the Midway Gardens he built (and Horan focused on) was shortly after demolished; in part b/c prohibition did it in. I found that kind of sad ...
Wow. that was such a beautiful scene in the book, too. Yea, i had very little knowledge of FLW and absolutely NONE about Mameh, but I came to admire them both over the past week and will definitely be looking to further my knowledge...
I think what got me was learning about Taliesin. I guess I always thought his big personal architectural achievement was Fallingwater.It's amazing how prolific this guy was. Check out the properties of his still for sale today:
http://www.savewright.org/index.php?p...
Don't apologize for your enthusiasm...it's absolutely contagious. After only reading half the book, I was curious about what others who had read it thought, and yours was the first review that didn't make me feel as if I was completely nuts for falling in love with this book, and it's unlikely heroine, Mamah. Keep gushing!
Laura,So glad you liked the book! I would be curious to know your thoughts when you finish. I got to the last 30 pages and my jaw literally dropped. It's a doozey!
Also, if you're curious, here are some photos I took of FLW's house and also Mamah's during a recent trip last summer to Oak Park:
http://gailwernerphotography.com/?p=277
Gail,I knew OF this book but had never heard anything about it. Obviously, it's an affecting read so I'll add it to my lengthy to-read list.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the Guggenheim Museum and Newsweek published an article about that and one of Frank Lloyd Wright's earlier masterpieces--The Larkin Building in Buffalo, New York (unfortunately, long since demolished). I've long been a big FLW fan and have toured many of his buildings. (Did you know there is a house in Marion, IN designed by him?) But the one nugget that most interested me in the Newsweek article was the fact that T.C. Boyle just released a book about FLW and his tumultuous affairs entitled The Women. Boyle is one of my favorite authors so that will be a must read.
Yes, I just saw that book out by Boyle when I was at the bookstore last. But not being familiar with Boyle, I kind of just thought, "Wow..everybody's jumpin' on the FLW bandwagon here."If you know anything at all about what happens regarding his affair with Mamah, then you might not be as surprised (or moved) by the ending of this book. But if your knowledge of him is more with architecture and less his personal affairs (literally and figuratively), then you'll be in for a whammy with this one! Would be interesting to compare this with Boyle's. I have a feeling this account is far more fictionalized.
I read this book years ago and have been searching for another to make me feel this way again. I also thank you for gushing the way I would have immediately following and still I this day. The words in this book made me think about things below the surface, deeper emotions that I could touch while enjoying this fantastic story about one of my most favorite architects.
Ali wrote: "I read this book years ago and have been searching for another to make me feel this way again. I also thank you for gushing the way I would have immediately following and still I this day. The word..."Glad you enjoyed the review, Ali. And yes, this is still one of those books that, years removed, I feel much the same about. Nancy Horan did such a wonderful job with it!
Suzanne wrote: "You've sold me on this book. I've added it to my list of books I'm going to read!"Suzanne, it won't disappoint! And if you know next to nothing about FLW (or Mamah) even better. Still, to this day, it's one of the most explosive endings to a book I've ever encountered (made all the more powerful because it's REAL)
Don't feel bad, it seems I share your affliction of loving everything I read. Even when I don't LOVE a book I generally LOVE the experience of reading and the idea that I'm enjoying something that someone put their whole heart into and devoted themselves to for months. Perhaps I'm a frustrated writer, but I cannot help but at least admire what it took to write and publish a book.
