Loving Frank by Nancy Horan (nonfiction)
This historical novel traces the love affair between the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Mamah Cheney. Each left their respective spouse and children to be together. As a matter of fact, in 1909 they left the US and lived in Europe to get away from the scandal. Neither of them was divorced while they lived together in Europe, so the scandal in Chicago was enormous. The novel focuses on Mamah and her feminist philosophy rather than on Frank and his innovative architecture. Early in the book, when Mamah walked out on her children, I had a hard time reconciling her actions with my personal belief. However, my vision is couched in the attitudes of the 21st century, not the early 20th century where women were supposed to have children and stay home (whether they wanted to or not). I could soften toward her a bit by reminding myself that I have certain freedoms that she did not.
Mamah was unusual for a woman of her time: she had a master's degree, and she spoke several languages fluently. She translated feminist treatises written by Ellen Key, a Swedish philosopher. Eventually, she and Frank moved back to the Chicago area. Her husband agreed to divorce her, and they arranged rather respectable child visitation rights for her. (Edwin Cheney is presented as a very honorable man throughout the book.) Meanwhile Wright designed and built a home for them in nearby Wisconsin. They lived there happily for 7 years.
I would ruin the ending of the book for you if I relate much more. However, the book ends with Mamah's death in 1914 (Wright lived until 1959). I did not know much about Frank Lloyd Wright's biography, much less about Mamah Cheney or Ellen Keys. Suffice it to say, I was not prepared for the ending. I even went online and did a bit of research to see if the author had made up the ending. Although some of the intimate details of the love affair were created by Nancy Horan, the basic events and people in the book seem historically accurate. Even the newspaper articles included in the book are the actual articles.
This book is not easy reading; there is a great deal of philosophy discussed. Both Mamah and Frank seemed to be deeply intellectual people. Much of their discussion has been created by the author, although the basic tenets seem to be what they believed. Overall, a good historical novel. Just give yourself plenty of time to read and absorb as you go along.
Mamah was unusual for a woman of her time: she had a master's degree, and she spoke several languages fluently. She translated feminist treatises written by Ellen Key, a Swedish philosopher. Eventually, she and Frank moved back to the Chicago area. Her husband agreed to divorce her, and they arranged rather respectable child visitation rights for her. (Edwin Cheney is presented as a very honorable man throughout the book.) Meanwhile Wright designed and built a home for them in nearby Wisconsin. They lived there happily for 7 years.
I would ruin the ending of the book for you if I relate much more. However, the book ends with Mamah's death in 1914 (Wright lived until 1959). I did not know much about Frank Lloyd Wright's biography, much less about Mamah Cheney or Ellen Keys. Suffice it to say, I was not prepared for the ending. I even went online and did a bit of research to see if the author had made up the ending. Although some of the intimate details of the love affair were created by Nancy Horan, the basic events and people in the book seem historically accurate. Even the newspaper articles included in the book are the actual articles.
This book is not easy reading; there is a great deal of philosophy discussed. Both Mamah and Frank seemed to be deeply intellectual people. Much of their discussion has been created by the author, although the basic tenets seem to be what they believed. Overall, a good historical novel. Just give yourself plenty of time to read and absorb as you go along.
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