[.uk] Loving Frank: A Novel

Amazon.com Review:
Amazon Significant Seven, August 2007: It's a rare treasure to find a historically imagined novel that is at once fully versed in the facts and unafraid of weaving those truths into a story that dares to explore the unanswered questions. Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Cheney's love story is--as many early reviews of Loving Frank have noted--little-known and often dismissed as scandal. In Nancy Horan's skillful hands, however, what you get is two fully realized people, entirely, irrepressibly, in love. Together, Frank and Mamah are a wholly modern portrait, and while you can easily imagine them in the here and now, it's their presence in the world of early 20th century America that shades how authentic and, ultimately, tragic their story is. Mamah's bright, earnest spirit is particularly tender in the context of her time and place, which afforded her little opportunity to realize the intellectual life for which she yearned. Loving Frank is a remarkable literary achievement, tenderly acute and even-handed in even the most heartbreaking moments, and an auspicious debut from a writer to watch. --Anne Bartholomew

Complex and Surprising:
Historical fictions can get a bad review by purists who hate the fictionalization of facts. But as Frank Lloyd Wright said himself, "The truth is more important than the facts." That is the essence of this delicious story. While the characters are real, the facts may be manipulated to allow a good story to unfold. Anyone looking for research on the life of Frank Lloyd Wright may not appreciate the fictional view. Folks like me, who never gave him a special thought may actually be inclined to do some research on his life after reading this. What better compliment to an author's writing? Most reviews touch on the slow beginning of this book. I agree that I was wondering through out, "What is this coming to?" But all I will say is, stay true and stick with it. The "ending" of this story is disturbing, and yet fascinating. I reread portions just to make sure that what I thought I read actually happened. Mamah was an interesting woman. I feel sad for her that she fell in love with Frank. He was a narcissist with little sense of responsibility. My impression of him, was that he was so irrationaly in touch with his own sense of himself, that he couldn't relate to people or common rule. He was an artist and for that the world has regaled his vision. But to say he was modest and humble....well, those are not the words. I imaging it would have been difficult to feel satisfaction in loving him. Especially at that time in America with all of the social rules they were breaking. I wonder if Mamah ever felt content. What a restless life if indeed she was never able to experience that repose. Reviews abound that rate this book poorly. I suggest the poor ratings are more of a reflection on the characters than on the writing of this novel. I wish I were a member of a book review club just to discuss this amazing story. The tragedy of this womans life leaves me agitated with wanting more.

loving frank:
This was a good book and easy read. It helps bring into focus that famous people are real and have faults just like everyone else.

Made me angry until I learned it's a true story:
Like the hidden image on the cover design, this book was more than what it initially appeared to be. The story centers around the famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the long affair he had with the wife of one of his clients. I initially read the book thinking it was a historical novel based upon the architect and a fictional character. Her actions and disregard for her own family angered me the more I read, and the ending of the story enraged me for what I thought was a stereotype for the arsonist who destroyed one of Wright's houses and killed one of the main characters. But, after reading it, I did a little research and learned that the events described in the book, particularly the conclusion, were all factual and really did occur. This changed my perspective from one of anger to one of appreciation for a well written and engaging true story about two people who were not particularly nice to those around them, but enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial affair of the mind and body.

Dewey, the special library cat.:
This is a very touching story of an extraordinary cat who becomes the "King" of the a local Iowa library. He brings in people of all ages to the library to read, check out books, listen to stories read and/or to just sit and snuggle with Dewey, the orange marmalade tabby cat. It is a enjoyable read and very emotional. My only complaint was that the author spent too much of her time telling her story and all of the problems of her family instead of just letting Dewey be the star. She injected too much of her into the book and I felt it was distracting and took away from Dewey's story.

Beautiful and unique:
This descriptive tale was an interesting ride. I came in not knowing the history behind it at all. I found myself changing my views on the characters, which made for quite the reading ride.