Loving Frank is a 2007 American novel by Nancy Horan. It tells the story of Mamah Borthwick's illicit love affair with Frank Lloyd Wright and the public shame they experienced in early twentieth century America. It is a fictionalised account told from Borthwick's perspective, based on research conducted by Horan, and it is her debut novel. It depicts Borthwick’s life as it became intertwined with Wright's between the years of 1907 through 1914. By following the artistic aspirations and travels of the two main protagonists, the novel portrays the social mores of the times in the United States and Europe.

Plot summary

The book opens with a note by Borthwick, reminiscing on her life and expressing her longing to give her perspective on what happened. The story begins with an account of Borthwick's attendance at a public talk in Oak Park given by Frank Lloyd Wright, a famous architect of the Chicago School. The author reveals that some years earlier, Wright had designed Borthwick's house at the insistence of her husband Edwin Cheney. Wright and Borthwick begin a tumultuous and intermittent affair while they are working together on the architectural plans for the house. The novel is an introspective portrayal of Borthwick's emotional turmoil as an intellectual, wife, mother, friend, and member of society. It also touches on Wright's personality and human traits in addition to his artistic talent and eccentricities. Throughout the novel, Borthwick explains the artistic or philosophical underpinnings of Wright's extravagant views. The novel goes deep into their family situations and internal conflicts, and allows the reader to see Wright through the lens of Borthwick’s deep admiration. The Swedish feminist Ellen Key unnerves Borthwick when she declares that Borthwick may have followed Wright in order to bask in his brilliance rather than accomplishing anything she can claim as her own.

Themes

Characters

Wright's architecture

Several important buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright play a role in Loving Frank.

Sources