Loving Frank in UB Libraries Book Group

Jan 10, 2018 NancyJ rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, early-1900s, feminism, bookclub, book-club-reads, read-in-2018

I was surprised to like this book as much as I did. When my book club selected it, I thought it might be too similar to another book we read (The Paris Wife), but I'm happy I read it. I see this book as more of a character study, rather than as a scandalous romantic tale ripped from the headlines of 1909. Though, that's a fun way to read it too. I was engrossed in Mamah's intellectual and emotional life, and her struggle to find a purpose beyond her relationships with others (children, husband, I was surprised to like this book as much as I did. When my book club selected it, I thought it might be too similar to another book we read (The Paris Wife), but I'm happy I read it. I see this book as more of a character study, rather than as a scandalous romantic tale ripped from the headlines of 1909. Though, that's a fun way to read it too. I was engrossed in Mamah's intellectual and emotional life, and her struggle to find a purpose beyond her relationships with others (children, husband, lover). Today, Mamah (as conceived by the author) would fit comfortably into a career as a college professor, with many ways to develop her intellect and express her individuality. If she had more choices to select from, she might have made very different ones!

As with all historical fiction, I always have to remind myself that this is fiction. It's not a biography based on extensive interviews, personal letters, etc., because those resources simply weren't available. I thought the author did a great job filling in the gaps to create an interesting complex character who felt real to me, even if she is quite different from the actual woman.

I was also very interested in the new information I gained about the woman's movement at that time in history. It was about a lot more than the right to vote. It made me laugh to learn that the idea of "free love" didn't originate with the hippies in the 1960's and 1970's. Mamah's struggles reminded me of the feminist ideas I was exposed to during the 1970's. I remember reading Betty' Freidan's Feminine Mystique as a young teen, and I could see how unhappy my mother was in her limited role as a housewife. (Admittedly, she had three obnoxious teenagers at the time, and if a charismatic architect came by, she might have run off with him too!) While many reviewers remark that they would never leave their children for a man, I don't think that's what she did. One impulsive action might close doors (at least temporarily) that you didn't mean to close.

When we discuss this in my book club I'm sure we'll make comparisons to The Paris Wife.` Yes, Frank Lloyd Wright and Ernest Hemingway were both arrogant, creative, larger-than-life characters, and they were set around the same time, but the female protagonists were quite different. Each book offered a glimpse of interesting locations and people. I loved Paris and the movable feast in The Paris Wife, and both couples traveled to many other places. I didn't know a lot about Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture before (the outsides of the buildings didn't wow me), but now I'm inspired to visit some of his work come Summer. I'd really like to see the interiors and the windows. Note - if you're into the story of Faust, there is a great chapter in the book about an opera, and you can see some connections to the story.

Overall, this book made me think, and that's always a good thing!* It made me reflect on my own life, and on the changing conditions for women during the past century. While more progress needs to be made, I'm very grateful for the opportunities and options I had because of where and when I was born.

*Actually, come to think of it, a couple people during the course of my life told me that I think too much. That's a foolish thing to say to anyone imo (especially in graduate school). (Would they say that to a man?) Maybe that's what helped me to relate to Mamah a little bit more. Her own mother feared that education would ruin her. Also, I imagine I'm not the only one here who has ever been told "you read too much."
January 2018 ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 03, 2013 Kirsten rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-europe-us

This little known story of Frank Lloyd Wright's wife who burned in a fire is fictional but based on the factual events in their relationship. I read this 5 years ago, and it moved me; I just recently remembered that it was read before I started a goodreads account. For those who love historical fiction, a good romance with complicated twists, or history this is a good read. Frank's wife was actually a mother and wife of one of his clients and eventually flouted convention to be with him. The sto ...more

Like · see review

Apr 07, 2014 Marie rated it liked it

I really would rather there not be so very much fictionalization of historical people. The story is okay as a story, but as about FLW and Mayma Cheney, not so much.

Like · see review

Jun 25, 2008 Ellen rated it really liked it

Like

Nov 06, 2009 Mary Ann rated it liked it · review of another edition

Like

Dec 30, 2010 Laura rated it it was ok

Like

From the Bookshelf of UB Libraries Book Group…

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

What Members Thought

UB Libraries Book Group