'Loving Frank' by Nancy Horan [5]

In the early 1900's polite Chicago society was rocked by terrible scandal as renowned architect, frank Lloyd Wright, ran off with Mamah Cheney, a client's wife.

Abandoning their families and reputations, the lovers fled to Europe and exile. Mamah's actions branded her an unnatural mother and society relished her persecution.

For the rest of her life mamah paid an extraordinary price for moving outside society's rules, in a time that was unforgiving of a woman's quest for fulfillment and personal happiness. headstrong and honest, her love for Frank was unfaltering.

This months book club read is an exceptional and unforgettable story about the love affair of Mamah Borthwick Cheney to the amazing architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

In a time when women were still trying to have the opportunity and the right to vote, a love blossoms between a client's wife and an architect who designs and builds their new home. Mamah is married to a good man, but she is not happy. Her husband decides he wants to build a new modern home and he hires the architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

It is here that a passionate love affair starts and will tear apart two families in the end. Because of the time [early 1900's], the couple flee to Europe for some rest from the hounding of the press. After travelling through Europe they finally settle in Wisconsin where Frank builds his beloved Taliesin for Mamah.

This is an amazing story that will reside with you for days after you've read it, it's mesmerizing and fascinating and the attention to the historical detail is truly brilliant. It is ultimately a very sad story and you wish that it would have had a happy ending for a couple who truly did love each other.

You come away asking yourself questions about how you would have done things if you were in their shoes. How far have women's rights change today, and do you still think it right for a mother too leave her husband and children to pursue her personal growth?

Truly thought provoking.

I rate this novel 5 stars.