Loving Frank: A Novel
by Nancy Horan
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.49 You Save: $10.51 (70%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Loving Frank: A Novel
Book Review: Searching for Self: Mamah Borthwick Cheney's Story
Summary: 3 Stars
In her first novel, "Loving Frank," Nancy Horan attempts to explore the architecture of the at-the-time scandalous relationship that brought Frank Lloyd Wright, famed creator of Taliesin and other organic building structures, to the sacrificial altar of the predatory yellow press from the perspective of his lover and supposed soul mate, Mamah Borthwick Cheney. As little is known about Mrs. Cheney other than a smattering of facts, history pigeonholes her as either the notorious married woman who after commissioning Wright to build her Oak Park, Illinois `Prairie Home' in 1903, seduced him and eventually ran off with him despite the existence of respective long term spouses and young children, or the burgeoning feminist whose particular stance in an atmosphere peppered with the likes of suffragettes, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony centered around the issue of free love. Having no other choice, Horan uses her imagination along with her garnering of information from Wright's autobiography and sensational newspaper articles besmearing the couple to facilitate a seemingly insider's view of Cheney's relationship with Wright and build an entire 400-page novel around her mind's vision of the pair's psychology.
Whether or not she succeeds or not is left to the reader. For me, Horan's telling attempts to connect the dots between the only known four major factual backdrops from the time period the novel spans with imagined filler that gets the reader from point A to point D--in this case, Oak Park, Europe, Japan and Wisconsin. Beginning in Illinois, the author introduces the reader to Mamah's typically feminist perspective regarding her personal lot in life. We are not present at her first meeting with Wright, the object of her affection; this occurs prior to the novel's start. However, rather immediately, the reader knows intrinsically that Mamah, unhappy with her role as Edwin Cheney's wife searches for what she believes may be more. Conveniently and serendipitously, Wright acts as both fuel to fire her independence and an obsession that for the most part adversely clouds her personal career objectives. Is she giving it all up for love? Or is she merely bored and willing to be swept away by the flamboyant and narcissistic architect? Wright is more than able to envision his world and move heaven and earth to achieve it without regard for whom he leaves flailing in his wake. However, does Mamah pursue her dreams with the same blind ambition? Does she even have a dream other than living and breathing all things Frank Lloyd Wright? Because the actual facts are scant, Horan substitutes the character's dilemma with regard to her mindset in opposition to the times and its mores to flesh out the story. In this light, whether it be a true or false depiction of the flesh and blood woman, the fictional Mamah transforms from a tragic victim to an everywoman who desires that purposefulness that has become synonymous with the present day campaign to live one's passion. As Horan follows the historical timeline, she switches the venue to Europe in 1909 as Wright heads to Germany to work on the Wasmuth Portfolio--the first publication of any of Wright's work--then onward to Japan--the scene of Wright's bargaining to acquire ukiyo-e woodblock prints--and finally, to the creation of his artistic Mecca in Wisconsin, as he creates the world-renowned Taliesin and sets a media-feeding frenzy in motion that inadvertently lead to the horrendous slaughter at his conclave on August 15, 1914.
As Wright moves steadfastly towards Taliesin and the founding of his architectural training ground, Mamah continues to struggle for self-occupation and self-purpose. Immersing herself in the study of Swedish to enable her to translate the works of contemporary feminist writer Ellen Key, she holds fast to her nebulous ponderings that attempt to justify the leaving of her children for a life with Wright against a tide of disfavor from family, friends and the general news-reading public. Sadly she fails to accomplish this reckoning. Instead, she retreats, choosing the contained seclusion of Taliesin where her main activities include the difficult task of keeping Frank financially solvent.
Bottom line? Horan's "Loving Frank" transforms from a mere recounting of the love affair between Mamah Borthwick Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright to a story of every woman who disillusioned by a conventional life struggles to find a balance between who she loves and what she wants to achieve for herself. Because Horan aligns her story to an actual timeline, she is constricted by events that allows her heroine plenty of angst but denies her any real growth. The telling of this tale lacks a feeling of authenticity; again, as Mamah remains an enigma due to a lack of documentation, I wonder if Horan herself struggled with the middle portion of this novel and allows Mamah's internal strife to become almost a clichéd filler for the climatic end tragedy. Interesting, but not always as compelling a read as so many of the other reviewers have suggested. Recommended with the caveat that the author seems to stretch out the body of the novel to remain true to the actual story's placement in time. I look forward to reading Death in a Prairie House: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Murders for more facts regarding this tale.
Diana Faillace Von Behren
"reneofc"
Book Review: Loving Frank, Losing Mamah...
Summary: 3 Stars
Loving Frank, while an interesting interpretation of Frank Lloyd Wright's and Mamah Cheney's life together, is far from satisfying in its psychological exploration of them and the times. Perhaps it is too easy for today's historical writers to serve up subjects of historical interest to book clubs with some members members starving for the sensation that what they're reading contains more than the psychological insight of say, literary fiction. There are those who yearn for facts or information about historical figures more than the wisdom implicit in well crafted, intelligent fiction. Moreover, as in the case of Nancy Horan's book, we see language and a narrative thrust that are less than compelling. While not a bad book, it is mediocre, kitchen fiction providing little insight into the complicated protagonists. Wright emerges as a narcissist, which he may well have been, but Mamah fares no better. While it is not essential that the reader like the main characters, in my mind it is necessary that we see in them some complexity and depth, if indeed the writer seems to imply that depth. "Show us!" I wanted to say throughout this book.
One of the most talented men of his generation and by Horan's account a devoted lover, Wright emerges as partially developed, perhaps a womanizer, a driven narcissist. Mamah, a self-described ardent feminist and intellectual, presents as someone trying to justify her sexual attraction and subsequent abandonment of her husband and family. Today most of us are tolerant of adultery and accepting of the mess it causes in the lives of those involved. However, most feminists and intellectuals I know would not see in Mamah's voice a convincing feminist or a woman of much depth and complexity. Rather she emerges as dominant in her personality, an adventuress and clinging woman, and a cold, remote personality in relation to all but Frank. She is vain and shallow in that she assumes her life after leaving her family to their own devices will open up like a rare flower and that because she is aligned with one of the most fascinating men of his time that somehow doors will open for her that were previously closed. She impresses one as a woman who watched herself step onto the stage of world events, preparing to take her place alongside those deserving of the honor of fame and fortune, but instead she finds herself justifiably scorned for what she was: an interloper and a fake.
This is not to say that Mamah wasn't accomplished for a woman of her time. She was educated and informed, but one can't help but wonder how feminism really affected her life since it seems more a rationalization for her irresponsible behavior than a truthful explanation for her actions. Perhaps her dull marriage to Cheney was simply too intolerable for her to continue; perhaps she lacked the necessary inner resources to cope with her mundane life. Of course, the charismatic Wright would sweep a vain, unhappy woman off her feet. So what else is new? We all know that men can do that, owning as they did then all the power, but men can also be so easily duped by an adoring woman, such as Mamah. All this is old fodder and Horan does not impart enough insight into the attraction on either Wright's or Mamah's parts. It is if Horan understood the relationship was a result of Mamah's boredom and a casualty of her basic rejection of the conventional roles of mother and wife as much as her sexual attraction and romantic notions. The story is predictable, not unlike any story of adultery.
What hits the reader so hard is the horrible fate that awaits Mamah and her children. No foreshadowing hints at that. It is not unlike the unpredictable destinies of serial murder victims or those in the wrong place at the wrong time when a bomb goes off. The horrific murders and the burning of the great architectural monument to Wright's and Mamah's love are as banal and senseless as was the relationship of the two lovers. Unfortunately, I could not grieve for Mamah; she didn't arouse my sympathy because I did not view her as strong, interesting or compassionate. Instead I saw her as single minded, silly and unrepentant woman, when in fact, she should have been sorry for the devastation she caused to her husband and family, however justified she allowed it to be in her own mind. She could have at least voiced remorse; she could have respected her ex-husband enough to communicate with him, even if she chose not to live with him. These are elements that make her an unsympathetic character; that is fine, but we need to be convinced of her complexity if the book is to impart any insight.
Mostly I wish Horan's language, structure and dialogue were more developed. I felt the story unfolded in a clumsy manner, that there was too much discussion of her feminist idol and that ultimately Mamah was a boring, foolish woman not to have anticipated her isolation and rejection by society. I'd rather read historical fiction of the likes of "The Confessions of Nat Turner" by William Styron. There you have psychological complexity in the characters, vivid description, fluid language, and a strong sense of place, all of which elements I did not see here.
Marjorie Meyerle, Reviewer, Colorado
Author:Bread of Shame
Book Review: More than just a retelling of their ill-fated romance
Summary: 5 Stars
Nancy Horan's impressive first novel, LOVING FRANK, recreates the life of Mamah Borthwick Cheney and her shocking love affair with famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The two met while living in Oak Park, Illinois, and both were married with children. After consulting on a house for her and her husband, Mamah began an affair with Frank that culminated with the pair eloping in Germany to escape the prying eyes of the judgmental press and the decimated families they left behind.
Once in Europe, Frank sets to work on several architectural projects, and Mamah, a modest feminist in her time, begins translating the works of popular European suffragist Ellen Key. Mamah thinks that Key is speaking directly to her, especially when Key talks about marriage, family and the struggle to feel complete as a person. Mamah feels horrible about abandoning her children yet at the same time realizes that she was dying a slow but no less painful death in an unhappy marriage. She desperately wants to work and believes that this --- much more than motherhood --- completes her, although she has never stopped thinking about her children and whether or not they would ever understand her plight.
Of that time back in Oak Park, Mamah writes in her journal: "I've been standing on the side of life, watching it float by. I want to swim in the river. I want to feel the current." She throws caution to the wind and dives into life with Frank, which has its share of ebbs and flows. She learns that her beloved can be boastful, prickly and not very forthright about money, but still she is committed to forging a life with him. Soon after arriving in Germany, the American press tracks them down and the couple must flee to another town.
When the pair returns from Europe, they look to Wisconsin to give them the wide open spaces necessary to build Frank's latest creation, Taliesin, a home like no other. Once there, both Frank and Mamah take greater steps in rekindling relationships with their children, which proves to be more difficult than anticipated. She cannot make up for her years abroad but tries to find some middle ground with her son and daughter. As she attempts to reconcile her relationship with the moody architect and her neglected kids, Mamah and her family are struck by a violent and incomprehensible tragedy.
More than just a retelling of their ill-fated romance, LOVING FRANK delves into Mamah's life and personality, turning her into a fully fleshed-out character. She is not a long-suffering wife nor a pitiful object of scorn. Rather, she is trying to figure out what centuries of women before her and since have been trying to determine: how to reconcile one's private self with one's role as mother and wife. Her struggles are still relatable to this day, which is exactly what Leslie Bennetts's recent book, THE FEMININE MISTAKE: Are We Giving Up Too Much? addresses.
Frank is an incredibly talented and somewhat smug character, with his own particular way of doing things. He feels that "laws and rules are made for the average man" and clearly acknowledges that it's his genius "...that causes people to make allowances." Mamah is both in awe of his talent and amazed in his confidence, finding both comfort and inspiration in his bravado.
LOVING FRANK is told in the third person, mostly from Mamah's perspective. By choosing to focus on her thoughts and feelings, Horan is able to illuminate a certain time and place, not only for an unmarried couple, but for a woman of that time as well. Mamah has tried to balance her life as a wife and mother, and also as an individual. Through her relationship with Frank, she thinks she has finally discovered a way to do just that --- but at what price? When their perfectly constructed lives are violently shattered, one wonders if that is the price for living unfettered, or were they merely in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Horan's meticulous descriptions reveal that this relationship was not a mere sexual dalliance, but rather a bond cultivated over years of friendship and mutual respect. It was the fact that Frank appealed to Mamah's intellect rather than her passion that she found so intoxicating. We see their relationship being built over time and then becoming an inevitable force all its own. Yes, they both made a conscious choice to leave their families behind, but Horan is careful to demonstrate that this was done with much reflection (and guilt) on Mamah's part.
We may not agree with their actions, but we certainly can see Mamah's predicament and empathize with the characters rather than judge them too harshly. Many years into the relationship, Mamah realizes that she and Frank's first wife, Catherine, shared a painful reality: "The price both of them had paid for loving Frank was dear indeed."
Book Review: Book Review: Loving Frank
Summary: 4 Stars
MY REVIEW
I have seen some mention of this book around the blogging community, but knew nothing about it when I purchased it in January. I was not familiar with the historical background of this story, nor the popularity of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural designs. In fact, while reading the book, it had not dawned on me that this was, in fact, based on a true story. Now, I am even sadder.
As Random House summarizes above, this is a story about the woman that Wright fell in love with and became a better man for. This is more so a story of her quest for self-discovery and living a life true to her heart's desires, despite the social consequences of her decisions. Mamah (pronounced "May-Mah") and Frank fell in love with each other, over a period of years, after Frank designed a home for her and her husband, Edwin. Mamah was raising, with help, her sister's child as well as two of her own, John and Martha. Frank was married to Catherine and they had six children.
In the early 1900's, divorce was highly unattainable and required two years of separation from your spouse to obtain. In most cases, the women were not granted custody of her children in the case of divorce. Consequently, leaving Edwin to pursue a life with Frank meant a high probability of losing her kids. As hard as I try, I cannot imagine being faced with that decision and electing to chose a man over my kids. To me, a life without them would be more unbearable. For Mamah, her soul was unable to fully flourish without Frank and he became her choice.
This is a long story of Mamah's journey, commencing with the affair and leading ultimately to her divorce. In her journey, she attempts to discover a life without Frank nor Edwin and travels to Boulder, CO to stay with her friend, who was due to give birth. She spent a summer with her children in this community, away from both men, and to me was seemingly fairly happy. She considered a life there and a job there. However, Frank invited her to travel to Germany with him for two months to test their relationship and see what it would be like to live together outside of hiding. She accepted. News ran rampid in their hometown of Oak Park, IL. Headlines made waves throughout local and national papers and eventually copies made their way to Frank and Mamah in Germany.
Mamah attempted to create some distance from Frank and work on her own venture of translating a book by Ellen Key on women's rights and love. However, their separation didn't last long and they both ended up in Wisconsin on a venture to build a home and share a life. Mamah attains her divorce despite Frank's inability to obtain one. Some wounds are healed between Maham and Edwin, however her relationship with her children never fully recovers from her abandonment.
The end of the story, I will leave "unspoiled" for those who have not heard it nor read the book. I was shocked at the ending. If you end up reading this book, take some time to visit the above referenced website first. I wish I had. There are great pictures of the characters and the buildings that Frank designed. I had no idea the realm of his creative genius. He designed the Gugganheim in New York... did you know?
On Sher's "Out of Ten Scale:"
This book was excellent. However, it took me longer than most books to read. I don't know why, specifically. However, the read was not difficult and I did want to digest the details brought forth in the novel. This book contains controversy and thought provoking topics and, as such, would make an excellent book club read. This terrific read gains from me, under the genre Fiction:Historical, a 9 out of 10!
Book Review: A Novel Menagerie's Perspective on LOVING FRANK
Summary: 4 Stars
I have seen some mention of this book around the blogging community, but knew nothing about it when I purchased it in January. I was not familiar with the historical background of this story, nor the popularity of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural designs. In fact, while reading the book, it had not dawned on me that this was, in fact, based on a true story. Now, I am even sadder.
As Random House summarizes above, this is a story about the woman that Wright fell in love with and became a better man for. This is more so a story of her quest for self-discovery and living a life true to her heart's desires, despite the social consequences of her decisions. Mamah (pronounced "May-Mah") and Frank fell in love with each other, over a period of years, after Frank designed a home for her and her husband, Edwin. Mamah was raising, with help, her sister's child as well as two of her own, John and Martha. Frank was married to Catherine and they had six children.
In the early 1900's, divorce was highly unattainable and required two years of separation from your spouse to obtain. In most cases, the women were not granted custody of her children in the case of divorce. Consequently, leaving Edwin to pursue a life with Frank meant a high probability of losing her kids. As hard as I try, I cannot imagine being faced with that decision and electing to chose a man over my kids. To me, a life without them would be more unbearable. For Mamah, her soul was unable to fully flourish without Frank and he became her choice.
This is a long story of Mamah's journey, commencing with the affair and leading ultimately to her divorce. In her journey, she attempts to discover a life without Frank nor Edwin and travels to Boulder, CO to stay with her friend, who was due to give birth. She spent a summer with her children in this community, away from both men, and to me was seemingly fairly happy. She considered a life there and a job there. However, Frank invited her to travel to Germany with him for two months to test their relationship and see what it would be like to live together outside of hiding. She accepted. News ran rampid in their hometown of Oak Park, IL. Headlines made waves throughout local and national papers and eventually copies made their way to Frank and Mamah in Germany.
Mamah attempted to create some distance from Frank and work on her own venture of translating a book by Ellen Key on women's rights and love. However, their separation didn't last long and they both ended up in Wisconsin on a venture to build a home and share a life. Mamah attains her divorce despite Frank's inability to obtain one. Some wounds are healed between Maham and Edwin, however her relationship with her children never fully recovers from her abandonment.
The end of the story, I will leave "unspoiled" for those who have not heard it nor read the book. I was shocked at the ending. If you end up reading this book, take some time to visit the above referenced website first. I wish I had. There are great pictures of the characters and the buildings that Frank designed. I had no idea the realm of his creative genius. He designed the Gugganheim in New York... did you know?
On Sher's "Out of Ten Scale:"
This book was excellent. However, it took me longer than most books to read. I don't know why, specifically. However, the read was not difficult and I did want to digest the details brought forth in the novel. This book contains controversy and thought provoking topics and, as such, would make an excellent book club read. This terrific read gains from me, under the genre Fiction:Historical, a 9 out of 10!