Spring Break
Author pens famous affair, finds adventure
Megan Henderson
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Culture
- Page 1 of 1
Nancy Horan had an adventure.
Horan brought her adventure to listeners as she discussed her book, "Loving Frank." This historical fiction novel is about the love affair between Mamah Borthwick Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Horan spoke Sept. 26 at Unity Temple on the Plaza. This is Horan's first novel. She was previously a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines.
Horan lived 24 years in Oak Park, Ill., where the affair between Wright and Cheney started.
She said it began when the Cheneys hired Wright to build a house. Mrs. Cheney and Wright spent time together discussing the house, and their love for one another grew.
Cheney's husband eventually agreed to a divorce, but Catherine Wright would not. Wright and Cheney ran off together to Europe.
"The book was set in a time explosive with new ideas and a plot that read like a Greek tragedy," Horan said.
After reading an excerpt from her book, Horan discussed her personal journey writing it. She revealed the book was actually her second draft. The first one, she said, did not sell.
"I was avoiding [the question], 'who was Mamah Cheney and how could she leave her children?'" Horan said.
She resumed her research.
Horan managed to locate newspapers discussing Cheney in articles not related to the scandal. She also found a neighbor's memoir and letters written by Cheney.
"It was an extraordinary moment for me. It was her actual voice, her actual words," Horan said. "I discovered a much more complex story than was in the headlines. I found a woman flawed, like most of us are. I decided to follow her footsteps and try not to judge."
The letters revealed Cheney had a great internal conflict and was also greatly in love with Wright.
Though her book is historical fiction, Horan said she stuck closely to the record.
Horan said fiction "gets at the truth of heart" that history books don't tell.
Horan was careful not to reveal the end of the book, but did allude that Wright "struggled after the loss of Mamah." She also told how the affair hurt his business and "cut it down to almost nothing."
"He never lived in the realm of social acceptability after that," Horan said.
The evening ended with a question and answer session and a book signing. Horan said she had ideas for a new book, but had not started writing.
"I'm enjoying the moment," she said.
mnhxt4@umkc.edu
Horan brought her adventure to listeners as she discussed her book, "Loving Frank." This historical fiction novel is about the love affair between Mamah Borthwick Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Horan spoke Sept. 26 at Unity Temple on the Plaza. This is Horan's first novel. She was previously a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines.
Horan lived 24 years in Oak Park, Ill., where the affair between Wright and Cheney started.
She said it began when the Cheneys hired Wright to build a house. Mrs. Cheney and Wright spent time together discussing the house, and their love for one another grew.
Cheney's husband eventually agreed to a divorce, but Catherine Wright would not. Wright and Cheney ran off together to Europe.
"The book was set in a time explosive with new ideas and a plot that read like a Greek tragedy," Horan said.
After reading an excerpt from her book, Horan discussed her personal journey writing it. She revealed the book was actually her second draft. The first one, she said, did not sell.
"I was avoiding [the question], 'who was Mamah Cheney and how could she leave her children?'" Horan said.
She resumed her research.
Horan managed to locate newspapers discussing Cheney in articles not related to the scandal. She also found a neighbor's memoir and letters written by Cheney.
"It was an extraordinary moment for me. It was her actual voice, her actual words," Horan said. "I discovered a much more complex story than was in the headlines. I found a woman flawed, like most of us are. I decided to follow her footsteps and try not to judge."
The letters revealed Cheney had a great internal conflict and was also greatly in love with Wright.
Though her book is historical fiction, Horan said she stuck closely to the record.
Horan said fiction "gets at the truth of heart" that history books don't tell.
Horan was careful not to reveal the end of the book, but did allude that Wright "struggled after the loss of Mamah." She also told how the affair hurt his business and "cut it down to almost nothing."
"He never lived in the realm of social acceptability after that," Horan said.
The evening ended with a question and answer session and a book signing. Horan said she had ideas for a new book, but had not started writing.
"I'm enjoying the moment," she said.
mnhxt4@umkc.edu
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