Loving Frank: A Novel

Veteran journalist Nancy Horan spent seven years preparing her debut novel, "Loving Frank," for publication.

Maybe all first-time novelists should follow Horan's formula because she hit this one out of the park.

It's been a long time since I read such luminous prose, told by someone who pays close attention to details and the development of her characters.

"Loving Frank" is the fictional retelling of the scandalous love affair between architect Frank Lloyd Wright, struggling to make a name for himself, and Martha (Mamah) Bouton Borthwick Cheney, who, along with her husband, Edwin, commissions Wright to design a home for her in 1903 on 520 North East Avenue in the Oak Park suburb of Chicago.

The story begins with an entry from Mamah's diary:

It was Edwin who wanted to build a new house. I didn't mind the old Queen Anne on Oak Park Avenue. It was full of the things of my childhood, and I found it comforting after so many years away. I wonder if he reflects on those days now - on the fact that it was he who craved a place entirely his own.

In addition to the extensive research she did on Frank Lloyd Wright's life, Horan also had access to ten handwritten letters from Cheney to Swedish feminist philosopher Ellen Key. Cheney served as translator for several of Key's works released in the United States.

It's rare for me head straight to my computer after finishing a book, but that's what I did after closing the cover of "Loving Frank." I wanted to know more about Mamah.

If you decide to pick up this title, please hold off going to the Internet until you're finished. Let Horan's beautifully crafted work its magic before the story's ending jerks you back to reality.

I liked the book but because it was about a famous architect I wished the book contained more pictures of the homes he designed. The ending was totally unexpected.

This was a good book, that beuatifully intertwined fiction and non-fiction. It is about a love affair between Frank Lloyd Wright and a married woman, Mamah Borthwick Cheney.

At times, it was a bit slow, but over all the book moved along nicely. Mamah is a woman that was well beyond her time. I have a feeling that we all would know her name had she not fallen to tragedy. I would like to know more about her. And Mr. Wright, I believe, has a reputation for being egotistical, yet brilliant. This book shows a different side of him, although we still get a good taste of the FLW that we have all heard about.

What I found most interesting about this book was the fiction and non-fiction that were intertwined together. I found myself researching his homes and the people in the book. I became even more interested in the book once I realized that many parts are true (the end, for example). Being from Illinois, I am familiar with FLW and his work, but enjoyed hearing about how some of his designs were created and came to fruition. I will be sure to make a trip to the Dana-Thomas House in my hometown, Springfield very soon.

I knew very little about Frank Lloyd's life so I found this very interesting. The book was chosen by my book club and it was a great book for discussion since there were several issues, including women's rights, to talk about. I would highly recommend reading this book. The author had a very engaging style and kept the book moving.

This book was exactly what I thought it would be - a great insight into history combined with a fascinating love story. I couldn't put it down.