The book really picked up as it went along- interesting because it was true- generates good discussion on the roles of women/mothers

Several members of our book club thought the book was tedious and slow moving in places. A couple of us (me included) thought it was a wonderful book.

I found this to be an enjoyable read with a surprising eye-opening ending! The book allowed discussion in various areas: women's issues, infidelity, motherhood, creative process, history of architecture, biographical study of Frank Lloyd Wright, etc. Loved this book! We had a very thought-provoking session at yesterday's meeting.

Provided so much to discuss. Illuminating account of life in the early 1900's.

All in all the book was very well written. I enjoyed reading it up until the end, I didn't really like how it ended. I felt really sorry for the children (Mamah's two children and Frank's children as well). I think Mamah made some very bad decisions and in the end it all came back to bite her in the butt. I really did enjoy reading this book.

Beautifuly written and engrossing to read. Don't read about Frank's life before reading because it will ruin the suprising, true ending.

This is a terrific book for discussion. For one thing, every person in my group enjoyed reading it--nobody had anything negative to say about the reading experience. There are so many topics to discuss--architecture, the hazards of trying to live with a genius, women's rights and the feminist movement, the differences between then and now, paparazzi as the price of fame. It was fascinating!

We would highly recommend this as a great read for other book clubs.

This is the unexplored story of two people who give up conventional family life and live their authentic way to a shocking end.

Great story told with cliche and tired writting.
Question ,why now... has this overlooked historical event become the subject of two new books and a to be made motion picture ?
Did somone hear or discover something ?
She does a masterfull job of bringing many many pieces of infomation together, into a story line.
Throws out many questions, betrayal , the role of a interpretor,life insuance, frank may have gone to Geishas, accident or treachery...
Would recommend this book to revisit Frank , mabie "Find Frank "
In context, we was a true Genious. Be sure to see the Mike Wallace interviews and PBS special !

I thoroughly enjoyed both reading and discussing this book. We decided that there were two stories here; a love story and a story about the women's movement. I recommend it to other groups.

Too self centered to be enjoyed fully.

This is a well written, provocative book, on love, life, and choices.

Amazingly, I had never heard the story of Frank Lloyd Wright's love affair with Mrs. Cheney or the tragic ending of their affair.

This book is a well-written, well-researched, novel with the backdrop of the woman's movement in the early 1900's. The questions on: love, happiness, and life, are as pertinent today as back then!

A great novel for book club discussions. I would highly recommend the book.

If this book was not "required" reading, I probably wouldn't have gotten past the half-way point. I'm glad I did though, as the book did get a little more interesting. What struck me about the book is how little I had known about the life of Frank Lloyd Wright. Worth reading just to learn more about this highly imperfect visionary.

Our group had a great discussion about this book. We didn't care for either of the characters and the way they validated their relationship, but were interested in viewing some of Wright's homes here in Illinois.

The book prompted many discussions about the beginnings of women's lib, the arrogance or liberties of a gifted person,FLW's architecture, a comparison to The Fountainhead and Ayn Rand's philosophy, women's rights, child abandonment, isolation, an unexpected ending, mass murderers. Most members had done independent research about different aspects of the book and the discussion was lively.

I had mixed feelings about this book. Both Frank and his married lover Mameh were too self-centered and self-absorbed to be entirely attractive to readers. But this was based on their real story. Our club talked about women's roles during this time period and how little they've changed in some ways. A lot of people hated the ending but it IS what happened in real life. The ending was not fictional. The book made us curious about Frank Lloyd Wright homes in our area and about his life after Mameh's death. Quick read. We just didn't care for the characters much.

This was a great book, whether the person liked it or not, because it created great discussions that even led into the personal lives of our book club members.

The "true" story of Frank Lloyd Wright. His illicit love affair and the shocking ending. Very interesting book..with an interesting look into Frank's life.

Whether you love the book or not, the issues it raises generates a great discussion. Definitely worth reading.

A wonderfully written and beautifully realized novel of what it means to be an "emancipated" woman in the early 1900s, lover to a famous/infamous man. I highly recommend this book to bookclubs across the country.

A grim tale of Mamah's affair with Frank Lloyd Wright and the costs to Mamah and her children.

While I didn't agree with how she left her children, it still was a really thought provoking read.

Revealing story of the romance between America's favorite architect,Frank Lloyd Wright, and his client, Mamh Cheney. Their affair ruins the lives of their families, friends and those around them, while celebrating beauty and nature. The decisions they made, which they constantly justify, end up hurting everyone involved. The story lends itself to great group discussion.

Nancy Honan weaves her fiction into history with ease. Sometimes the reader forgets where one begins and the other begins - excellent debut novel.

Our book club really enjoyed this book. A couple of us didn't like the character of mamah and thought Frank was a narcist. But we really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to people to read.

Would you be willing to sacrifice everything for love? It seems that Mamah Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright do exactly that. They begin an affair in the early 20th century when Elizabethan morals still have a strangle-hold on society and openly live together while still married to their spouses. She walks away from a loving husband, her two small children, and a comfortable, carefree lifestyle in Oak Park. While he leaves behind a loyal and dedicated wife and their six children in order to pursue a "true life". This book will provoke all sorts of discussions ranging from morality, loyalty, narcissism, and genius.

Although I was personally interested about the private and public life of the famously brilliant architect, Frank Lloyd Wright I was disappointed to learn of his tremendously selfish actions in his private life and I was also dismayed at the inconsiderate way he treated people that he considered beneath him. This was not a tragic love story but a sad tale of two people who were merely seeking self gratification while disregarding the effect of their liaison on their families.

Very good discussion book. Lots of different opinions on this book.

Was a good read with a surprising ending for me since I had never read anything about Frank Lloyd Wright. Now I want to read THE WOMEN, a new book about ALL the women in Wright's life.

An extremely interesting woman for her times.

I had just visited Taliesin West before reading this book and heard part of this story. A friend recommended the book and I really enjoyed it. It piqued my curiosity to learn more about FLW's work.

I thought it was a wonderful read... I have been a fan of FLW for many years so knew of his foibles. It was wonderful getting to know Mahmeh and finding a woman who was ahead of the curve as a feminist... It was a sad book, but all in all, very well written.

Frank LLoyd Wright was a very interesting man. He had a wonderful imagnation and was very unconventional. She was a very free spirit. You wonder how there lives would have been if they had not meet. I womdered why she didn't take over the finances?

The historical background was fascinating, and the insights into Mr. Wright - if accurate - were interesting. However, I couldn't find sympathy for either main character. He was pompous though brilliant, and uncaring about the workers who brought his plans to fruition. She was shallow and selfish, and nothing she shared could explain her deserting her children. In spite of that, the story was worth reading.

I really enjoyed the book, surprised as it's content, and was shocked at the ending.

Insightful novel into the life of Frank Lloyd Wright and his lover, Mamah. Thought-provoking, challenging insights into the genius of FLW and his love for Mamah. Their controversial lives provoke much discussion and questions.

What an insight into the love of Frank Lloyd Wright's life. A true love story which ended tragically.

shows what life chocies can affect you and others

I thought that this book was interesting, not my typical read. Somewhat historical fiction, very romantic and artistic.

Interesting book if you are interested in the life of Frank Lloyd Wright. Lots to discuss after reading this book. Controversial yet well written. An entertaining book.

Interesting but easy to put down - not intriguing.

The discussion for this book will open many opinions. A very lively discussion as long as everyone listens to others opinions.

We thought the characters were interesting and provided some great conversation at our discussion. A great pick for a book club as well as interesting history I never knew much about!

I felt the pacing was off, and it could have been copy edited down a bit. This topic and these people may have been better served in a non-fiction treatment. I recommend it to book clubs since the ladies in our book club liked the story and others might as well. I just didn't find it convincing.

Did not like either of the main characters.

Surprising story about the life of Frank Lloyd Wright. Wonderful writing. I look forward to this author's next book.

Prompted good discussion in our club about the role of a wife and mother and the sacrifices we make.

On my blog a few years ago this was my "Must Read Book of the Year."

I liked it, but it lagged in the middle for me. Using the audio book to supplement got me going again and interested in FLW's work. Unfortunately, a premature search on the internet to get a glimpse of his buildings spoiled the ultimate ending for me. So don't do that if you aren't already familiar with his story.

I loved the fact that it ignited the desire to know more about FLW's life and architecture. I spent several hours researching homes he built and finding those that are closest to me. Perhaps one day I will take some tours as I am now more interested in his architecture. Worth the read...I'd give it 3.5/5 if BKMT allowed half stars.

Difficult to know this information, but important and interesting.

Written from the viewpoint of Frank Lloyd Wright's lover, it was fascinating and disturbing to me at the same time. The story lingered with me for a long time after reading it.

Loving Frank was informative to several readers in our group who were not familiar with the life or architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. This well written story generated a diverse conversation about life choices and relationships.

self-absorbed people, though talented

It was a well written novel. The main character was very progressive for her times but sometimes in Infuriating.

Don't look up character in internet search before reading the book! What I did find interesting is the 3rd sister who lives with Mamah in the book looks to be fictional. It was interesting to see that the author felt the children needed a mother figure.

While it is fiction, it is based on fact and in depth research. Horan is a very good writer and she imbues her characters with hones, though sometimes selfish, feelings. These are real people making difficult decisions that have far reaching ramifications. You also learn about one of America's important architects.

Loving Frank is a book full of questions - questions about morality, questions about responsibility, parenthood and questions that ask how far can I go without being selfish. Frank Lloyd Wright is married with a family. Maymah Cheney is married with a family. Frank Wright is commissioned to build a home for the Cheneys and an affair/love connection begins that wreaks havoc and tragedy for all. While fictional in nature, but much like Mr. Wright's real creations, this story holds many windows that lead to the soul. Those windows cast shadows on what is morally right. The symetric walls hold hidden doorways that help block out the repercussions of their actions. The rolling topography that seems to contour itself to the flow of the outer walls begs not forgiveness, but forgetfulness for those left behind in the aftermath of their selfish acts. It is my opinion that every great artist has some degree of idiosyncracy; how else are they able to delve so deeply and passionately into their respective work? This story takes you on the journey of Frank Lloyd Wright and his quest to be understood and appreciated. It also tells the tale of the sacrifices that are sometimes made in the name of invention, notariety and creativity. I can't say this is a "feel good" story, but it is definitely a story that begs for discussion and pondering, long after the last page.

One of my all time favorite reads. Gave me a new perspective of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Very well written and researched historical fiction about the love affair between Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Cheney. While I found that I couldn't sympathize with the main characters, it was a book that I enjoyed.

great historical fiction about the famous architect. This book sparked a lot of discussion about "Mamah's" role as a mother, wife and mistress.