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Loving Frank
Loving Frank
Author: Nancy Horan
I have been standing on the side of life, watching it float by. I want to swim in the river. I want to feel the current. — So writes Mamah Borthwick Cheney in her diary as she struggles to justify her clandestine love affair with Frank Lloyd Wright. Four years earlier, in 1903, Mamah and her husband, Edwin, had commissioned the renowned architect...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780345495006
ISBN-10: 0345495004
Publication Date: 6/24/2008
Pages: 377
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 587

3.7 stars, based on 587 ratings
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

taaza avatar reviewed Loving Frank on + 56 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 17
Well-told story blending historical accounts and fictional details about the sensationalized relationship of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney. Horan allows you to delve into Mamah's psyche (as she sees how Mamah Cheney may have felt). Powerful and gripping - not a book I will soon forget.
reviewed Loving Frank on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
I found this book absolutely enthralling from beginning to the end. It was quite interesting to read about a feminist in the beginning of the 1900's and her struggles with her personal decisions. It was very well written and I am interested to see what else this author will write.
reviewed Loving Frank on
Helpful Score: 7
Not being familiar with the particulars of Wright's life, I was stunned by the ending to this book. The ending made me weep, and I remained weepy for at least 24 hours. Otherwise, it's a wonderfully told story.
reviewed Loving Frank on + 234 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
The book definitely picked up at the end. I struggled getting through it in the beginning though. This book was written as a piece of fiction, however it is based on events that did happen in Frank Lloyd Wright's life. The author appeared to write as close to the historical facts as possible, but did fill in the gaps with how she imagined Mamah and Frank's love life played out. Franky Lloyd Wright's architectural elements were described throughout the story as his homes he designed, in the novel, were described well by the author. If you are a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, it is worth reading, if not, this may be a book to pass up.
reviewed Loving Frank on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I had a hard time with what seems nonessential details, there were times I wondering why I was reading this seemingly trivial information. However, this information becomes important as you read on, weaving strands together and seeing the significance in understanding the characters. I had toured some of Wrights work but was completely unaware of the tragic and horrifying scenario that took place at Talesin. I then googled him and found even more "stranger than fiction" details about many other periods and events in his life. Nancy Horan did her homework and stayed close to essence of Mamah.
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pj-s-bookcorner avatar reviewed Loving Frank on + 885 more book reviews
Mixed reviews on this book. It is a fictional account of the personal (more than the professional) life of Frank Lloyd Wright and his long-time mistress Mamah Cheney. In an era where their behavior was considered almost criminal, they encounter relentless press coverage of their affair & life together, alienation from family and friends. I knew very little of Wright's life until reading this. As in many brilliant artists, the ego was over the top. To quote a phrase in the book: "he would rather be honestly arrogant than hypocritically humble". Shocking outcome toward the end leads to heartbreak for both families.
reviewed Loving Frank on
I just recently got into Frank Lloyd Wright when we took a trip to see Falling Water. What an amazing site. Someone told me about this book. I liked it. Its different than your average story and not knowing the story, I found it to be a great read, about an entirely different time period. I really enjoyed it.
reviewed Loving Frank on
One of the best books I've read lately. It actually took me a couple of tries to get started, as the beginning is a little slow. I think lack of knowledge of the story beforehand adds to the reading. The ending is very moving.
reviewed Loving Frank on + 20 more book reviews
If this was not a true story, you would find it hard to believe.

Shocking affair of married lovers who leave their families and run away together, shocking all the good folks in Oak Park, IL, and Chicago in early 20th Century. Similar to today, reporters chased them to Europe. Frank Lloyd Wright was a larger-than-life character. The story of his great love, Mamah Cheney, is haunting.

Beautifully written book. Great for book clubs.
reviewed Loving Frank on + 75 more book reviews
I wasn't sure whether I'd like this book, but once I got started I couldn't put it down. I never knew what a complex person Frank Lloyd Wright was, nor what a mess he made of his life while producing glorious architecture. The novel is written from the standpoint of his lover/mistress who gives up everything to be with him and covers many years of their lives together.
reviewed Loving Frank on + 3 more book reviews
I found this book to run a little bit on the "harlequin" side of literature. Mamah's idealism and romanticism was a little too unrealistic and sickening at times. I did enjoy the window into the era and Frank Lloyd Wright's work. The plot turn did leave me at the edge of my seat.
reviewed Loving Frank on
This book is the true story of Frank Lloyd Wright, it includes his lifelong love affair with his mistress Mamah Cheney. I live in the city that has one of his fabulous Archetecture buildings known all around the world ,The Price Tower.
getinmybellykelly avatar reviewed Loving Frank on
I thought this was a really beautiful, true to life, heartfelt and intense book. While I didn't agree with all of Mamah's choices, I loved how honest it was and how brave she was, especially being based in the early 20th century when many women were stuck in loveless marriages and had no choices as far as making a life of their own. I love how she was brave enough to branch out and learn more about herself and do what she needed to do to be happy in her own life. I found the theme of the book for me to be "life goes on." So many things happened and there were so many hurdles throughout, but the characters learned to adapt through the years and continue on. And the end of the book was INSANE. I had goosebumps.
reviewed Loving Frank on + 4 more book reviews
I listen to it on my long commute to work. I enjoyed it, although it was a little long on the "Bad feelings" she had about the affair. I didn't really respect her but the ending of the book was a shocker for me. I didn't know the story.


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