** spoiler alert ** I have long been a fan of Wright's architectural genius, knowing full-well that he was a somewhat difficult (to say the least!) person. While a work of fiction, this book is really successful at humanizing Wright and suggesting why Mamah Borthwick Cheney could so readily have risked everything for his affection in the first decades of the 20th century. The book reads as good fiction with an architectural and social history backdrop, and raises all sorts of fascinating questions as to how an author writes about real people and events in a respectful fashion. I enjoyed the book tremendously, but couldn't help thinking what a selfish, egotistical SOB Wright was. Mamah met with a terrible end, and you mourn her loss and the terrible loss of her children in a senseless murder at the hands of an unstable servant at just the moment when she and Frank seem to be putting their lives together and coming out the other side. This loss is only worsened by the fact that, if I'm not mistaken, Wright married twice subsequent to this affair. While the man's not likeable, Mamah Borthwick certainly is, and this fascinating chapter in his life points to the fact that Mamah was as much an influence on Wright as he--and her mentor feminist writer Ellen Keys--was upon her. This is a well written and cleverly researched piece of fiction. Since it's from Mamah's point of view, it necessarily ends with her death--leaving much unknown and prompting the reader to additional research and learning. A provocative read in so many ways, and an oustanding first novel by Horan, who lived in Oak Park, IL, for 20+ years. This is a great read and a fabulous book club selection--so much food for discussion. Enjoy!