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A review by needcoffeenow
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
5.0
I had purchased this book in the spring and it was on my "to read" shelf. Having grown up in Oak Park, the story intrigued me --- I don't know why I didn't start reading it sooner! But then....someone in my book club suggested it and it was chosen for our October book selection. I LOVED it!! I like that it told the story of the affair from Mamah Cheney's point-of-view. We hear so much about Frank Lloyd Wright and so it was nice that the author gave Mamah a voice. Prior to reading the novel, I thought of the whole affair as both of them just being extremely selfish to do what they did (running off to Europe together and leaving their families behind). Although I certainly don't agree with the choices that they made, the author did a wonderful job of getting inside Mamah's head so that I now at least empathize with her and can understand her motives. The author lived in Oak Park herself for 24 or 25 years which I really think helped her to make the story authentic. She obviously did a lot of research as well.
On a personal note, I found it neat to have mention of places that I have experienced. Mamah's son John attended Holmes Elementary School, as did I (it is located just down the street from Wright's Home & Studio, BTW). When Mamah suggests taking John to Petersen's for ice cream, that brought back many fond memories (Petersen's is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor that locals know & love --- my brother had his first job there and later returned to manage the business office for the owners).
I would highly recommend this story to anyone with any interest in Wright or in women's fiction. This is Horan's first novel (hard for me to believe!) and I look forward to seeing what she does in the future.
On a personal note, I found it neat to have mention of places that I have experienced. Mamah's son John attended Holmes Elementary School, as did I (it is located just down the street from Wright's Home & Studio, BTW). When Mamah suggests taking John to Petersen's for ice cream, that brought back many fond memories (Petersen's is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor that locals know & love --- my brother had his first job there and later returned to manage the business office for the owners).
I would highly recommend this story to anyone with any interest in Wright or in women's fiction. This is Horan's first novel (hard for me to believe!) and I look forward to seeing what she does in the future.