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I actually didn't love this book, but I couldn't put it down. I didn't relate to the characters decisions, but they were very well drawn. I guess what I'm saying is that it was a fantastic book, a well told story, but I'm disappointed to learn how self-centered FLW was. But the truth, as they say, is stranger than fiction. I hope the author writes more!
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Horan really put together a well-thought out and interesting piece of historical fiction here. The novel centers around Mamah Borthwick, the mistress of Frank Lloyd Wright at the turn of the 20th century. What at first blush sounds like something out of a romance novel or tabloid magazine with some references to architecture thrown in becomes so much more. The novel speaks to one's right to privacy and to an age where feminism is taking stronger roots while women still struggle for the right to
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I was excited to read this book when I first picked it up. I have always loved the work of FLW and to have a piece of his personal life (even though it was fictional to a point) was intriguing.
That being said, it took me almost 3 weeks to read this. Parts of it were hard to read, parts had me angry at Mamah and FLW, parts saddened me, then of course, parts surprised me. At times I would get so sickened by the selfishness of the two main characters.....others angry at the people who tried to ma ...more
That being said, it took me almost 3 weeks to read this. Parts of it were hard to read, parts had me angry at Mamah and FLW, parts saddened me, then of course, parts surprised me. At times I would get so sickened by the selfishness of the two main characters.....others angry at the people who tried to ma ...more
What a compelling read and such a shocking ending. How did I know nothing about this true story. Utterly absorbing. Loved it and so sympathized with the characters.
If this was based on true, then Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect, was not so emotionally intelligent. Nor was the lover pursuing Frank. This is a unrequited love affair of woman who leaves her family to pursue Frank. Not a fun book.
Wow, this book blew me away. I was prepared to be judgemental of this woman who left her children and her husband and had an affair with Frank Lloyd Wright. Instead I found myself applauding her choices and understanding her motives. The ending quite literally shocked me and I am still thinking about it. Next time I go to Illinois I am making a side trip to Oak Park to see Mamah's house and Frank's studio.
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Enjoyable and interesting. I had difficulty relating to the main character because I just couldn't understand how she thought she was making the morally right choice. (Which did force a lot of internal thinking as I read... which is always a sign of a good book!)The events kept me reading (although it lagged a bit in the middle) right on to the riveting end. Definitely recommended.
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A broad and surprisingly nonpartisan telling in spite of the thorny issues of infidelity and womens' roles - Horan captures the tension between faithfulness and dreaming and doesn't shy from the difficult questions that arise. Mamah comes wholly alive as a character, so much so that you wish you could offer your shoulder to her.
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Sep 14, 2009
Diane
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
empty-nests-bookclub
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Jan 27, 2008
Janna
marked it as to-read
Mar 02, 2008
Sara
marked it as to-read
Aug 06, 2008
Kaley
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
on-the-back-burner,
bookclub
Aug 29, 2010
Terri FL
added it
Nov 13, 2010
Deedee
marked it as to-read
Feb 16, 2015
Carolyn
marked it as to-read
Dec 29, 2015
Jocelyn
marked it as to-read
