Writing though Mamah Cheney's point of view was an excellent choice. One could see Mr. Wright in a different light as well learn about Mamah's intellectual achievements were and feel what Mamah's inner struggles, her joys and total sacrifices really were.
Mr. Wright seems the type that is certainly captivating and charismatic and had the ability to sweep anyone around him off their feet. One would be willing to do anything at any price if you were in the right mind set. That is what Mamah did. I was captivated as I read about her inner struggle of separation with her children, trying to rationalize, arguing with herself and then finally seeing what did the relationship cost her, her family, sister, friends and of course her children.
Her book let me wanting to know more. What does the monograph look like or the photo book that he worked on for Wasmuth? What did happen to Mamah's sister? What did Anna Wright do when the tragedy occurred? Did she really have a friend named Mattie?
I liked how she used parts of My Father, Frank Lloyd Wright, by John Wright almost word for word. How his father and Ed Cheney were on the same train to Taliesin after the fire. (I caught the mistake that John had written that Mamah had 2 daughters instead of a daughter and a son. I cross read both books.) I liked how Ms. Horan describes a photo being taken of the working men at Taliesin (pg. 233). I saw the photo on the Wisconsin Historical Society website.
Following are photos that I have taken. They kind of go with the book. I regret that I didn't take a picture of the Cheney home. Next time I go to Oak Park I will do just that. I have used the William Storrer numbering system to identify the houses.
S.074 Aurthur & Grace Heurtly Residence (1902) This is the house that the Cheney house was based on.
Name plate on his studio.
S.004 Frank Lloyd Wright Studio (1897)
S.002 Oak Park Residence (1889)
Valley of the Lloyd Joneses
S.218 Taliesin III (1925) It is easy to see why the name Taliesin, "shining brow" was chosen.Of the hill..is a most descriptive term.
I put this picture in so that one can see the setting of Taliesin I.
S.134 Andrew Porter Residence, Tanyderi (1907) Meaning under the oaks. Build for his sister Jane and her husband Andrew. This isn't too far from Taliesin.
S.037A Romeo & Juliet II (1938) Rebuilt 1992
I only wish that I were the one to run up the hill. Then I would have seen the view of the valley from Taliesin. It really helped that I have been to Oak Park and Taliesin so I could visualize the settings in the book.
Here are a couple sites that I think are very interesting.
Loving Frank, By Nancy Horan published by Random House
Mr. Storrer's site
Background of Frank and Catherine Wright's marriage
Find Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings
I highly recommend this book. I recommend seeing for yourself whatever Wright buildings that you may come across in your travels. I love the personal discovery of seeing new houses with my own eyes. Reading and researching help make everything come together.
-Kim
