WOW - I did not see the ending coming! That was a stunner!I really liked this book. The tone and writing style are a lot like "The Paris Wife," which I also really liked. The most interesting parts to me, were the descriptions of Frank Lloyd Wright's work and creative process, including his faults, like believing that he didn't have to pay his contractors or suppliers until Mamah laid down the law with him.Mamah was also an interesting character. Her struggles really highlight how difficult life was for women only 100 short years ago. As a woman, your choices were either get married and be a housewife and mom, or be a spinster teacher. Women didn't have rights to see their children if they left their husbands and were ostracized to the extent that they couldn't even work to support themselves, which left most women trapped in loveless marriages because there was nothing else they could do. Mamah had the courage to follow her heart, even though she hurt some people along the way.The saddest part of the story, to me, is that women are still fighting the battles that Mamah was fighting in the early 1900s. We have the right to vote, but we still don't have equal pay for equal work and women are still doing the lion's share of housework (while also working a full time job) in a lot of families. While we've made great strides, there's still a long way to go.I'd recommend this book to people are interested in Frank Lloyd Wright, the Women's Movement of the early 1900s and people who like a great love story. Just be prepared for the absolutely stunning ending!
Reading Junkie
Books are my crack.
WOW - I did not see the ending coming! That was a stunner!I really liked this book. The tone and writing style are a lot like "The Paris Wife," which I also really liked. The most interesting parts to me, were the descriptions of Frank Lloyd Wright's work and creative process, including his faults, like believing that he didn't have to pay his contractors or suppliers until Mamah laid down the law with him.Mamah was also an interesting character. Her struggles really highlight how difficult life was for women only 100 short years ago. As a woman, your choices were either get married and be a housewife and mom, or be a spinster teacher. Women didn't have rights to see their children if they left their husbands and were ostracized to the extent that they couldn't even work to support themselves, which left most women trapped in loveless marriages because there was nothing else they could do. Mamah had the courage to follow her heart, even though she hurt some people along the way.The saddest part of the story, to me, is that women are still fighting the battles that Mamah was fighting in the early 1900s. We have the right to vote, but we still don't have equal pay for equal work and women are still doing the lion's share of housework (while also working a full time job) in a lot of families. While we've made great strides, there's still a long way to go.I'd recommend this book to people are interested in Frank Lloyd Wright, the Women's Movement of the early 1900s and people who like a great love story. Just be prepared for the absolutely stunning ending!
