Overview
En 1903, Edwin y Mamah Cheney encargan la construcción de su casa a Frank Lloyd Wright, un renombrado arquitecto que luego se convertiría en uno de los mayores talentos de la arquitectura contemporánea, autor de la célebre Casa de la Cascada y del Museo Guggenheim de Nueva York. Desde el principio, Mamah se siente atraída por su carisma, y también Frank parece disfrutar de su compañía. Al cabo de unos años, vuelven a encontrarse y se embarcan en un viaje que conmocionará a la sociedad de Chicago y cambiará para siempre sus vidas.
A partir de una minuciosa investigación, Nancy Horan retrata los Estados Unidos de la época y la Europa de las vanguardias, la controvertida personalidad de Frank Lloyd Wright y la lucha de Mamah Cheney, una mujer obligada a elegir entre los roles de madre, esposa, amante e intelectual, que supo abrazar el feminismo y también ponerlo en tela de juicio. Amar a Frank ha sido best-seller en Estados Unidos y ha recibido las críticas más elogiosas.
Synopsis
En 1903, Edwin y Mamah Cheney encargan la construcción de su casa a Frank Lloyd Wright, un renombrado arquitecto que luego se convertiría en uno de los mayores talentos de la arquitectura contemporánea, autor de la célebre Casa de la Cascada y del Museo Guggenheim de Nueva York. Desde el principio, Mamah se siente atraída por su carisma, y también Frank parece disfrutar de su compañía. Al cabo de unos años, vuelven a encontrarse y se embarcan en un viaje que conmocionará a la sociedad de Chicago y cambiará para siempre sus vidas.
A partir de una minuciosa investigación, Nancy Horan retrata los Estados Unidos de la época y la Europa de las vanguardias, la controvertida personalidad de Frank Lloyd Wright y la lucha de Mamah Cheney, una mujer obligada a elegir entre los roles de madre, esposa, amante e intelectual, que supo abrazar el feminismo y también ponerlo en tela de juicio. Amar a Frank ha sido best-seller en Estados Unidos y ha recibido las críticas más elogiosas.
Library Journal
In 1904, architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed a house for Edwin and Mamah Borthwick Cheney, respectable members of Oak Park, IL, society. Five years later, after a clandestine affair, Frank and Mamah scandalized that society by leaving their families to live together in Europe. Stunned by the furor, Mamah wanted to stay there, particularly after she met women's rights advocate Ellen Key, who rejected conventional ideas of marriage and divorce. Eventually, Frank convinced her to return to Wisconsin, where he was building Taliesin as a home and retreat. Horan's extensive research provides substantial underpinnings for this engrossing novel, and the focus on Mamah lets readers see her attraction to the creative, flamboyant architect but also her recognition of his arrogance. Mamah's own drive to achieve something important is tinged with guilt over abandoning her children. Tentative steps toward reconciliation end in a shocking, violent conclusion that would seem melodramatic if it weren't based on true events. The plot, characters, and ideas meld into a novel that will be a treat for fans of historical fiction. Highly recommended. [LJ 7/1/07]
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Editorials
Library Journal
In 1904, architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed a house for Edwin and Mamah Borthwick Cheney, respectable members of Oak Park, IL, society. Five years later, after a clandestine affair, Frank and Mamah scandalized that society by leaving their families to live together in Europe. Stunned by the furor, Mamah wanted to stay there, particularly after she met women's rights advocate Ellen Key, who rejected conventional ideas of marriage and divorce. Eventually, Frank convinced her to return to Wisconsin, where he was building Taliesin as a home and retreat. Horan's extensive research provides substantial underpinnings for this engrossing novel, and the focus on Mamah lets readers see her attraction to the creative, flamboyant architect but also her recognition of his arrogance. Mamah's own drive to achieve something important is tinged with guilt over abandoning her children. Tentative steps toward reconciliation end in a shocking, violent conclusion that would seem melodramatic if it weren't based on true events. The plot, characters, and ideas meld into a novel that will be a treat for fans of historical fiction. Highly recommended. [LJ 7/1/07]Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.