TC Boyle and Frank Lloyd Wright

Not Afraid · 02-09-2009, 11:02 AM

I adore TC Boyle's work. He's one of the few authors I follow completely. I've been waiting impatiently for the release of his new novel "The Women" which comes out tomorrow. I know we have some FL Wright fans on here, so I thought I'd share.

Here's a description:

Quote:

Having brought to life eccentric cereal king John Harvey Kellogg in The Road to Wellville and sex researcher Alfred Kinsey in The Inner Circle, T.C. Boyle now turns his fictional sights on an even more colorful and outlandish character: Frank Lloyd Wright. Boyle’s account of Wright’s life, as told through the experiences of the four women who loved him, blazes with his trademark wit and invention. Wright’s life was one long howling struggle against the bonds of convention, whether aesthetic, social, moral, or romantic. He never did what was expected and despite the overblown scandals surrounding his amours and very public divorces and the financial disarray that dogged him throughout his career, he never let anything get in the way of his larger-than-life appetites and visions. Wright’s triumphs and defeats were always tied to the women he loved: the Montenegrin beauty Olgivanna Milanoff; the passionate Southern belle Maud Miriam Noel; the spirited Mamah Cheney, tragically killed; and his young first wife, Kitty Tobin. In The Women, T.C. Boyle’s protean voice captures these very different women and, in doing so, creates a masterful ode to the creative life in all its complexity and grandeur.

I will be picking the book up tomorrow (I hope) and it will be my next read. If anyone wants to join me - book club style - in reading, I'd love to discuss it when we're done.

Article about The Women
Interview with Boyle

Ghoulish Delight · 02-09-2009, 11:16 AM

Oooh.

flippyshark · 02-09-2009, 11:33 AM

Re: The Women. The subject matter appeals to me greatly, but I will sheepishly admit that I got nervous when I heard an NPR reviewer state that the book is written in reverse chronology. This causes me a slight sigh, because 1) it's been done before (Pinter, Sondheim, Christopher Nolan) and 2) it's a technique that usually gives me a headache. Totally my own shortcoming, I confess. So, I'll wait for everyone else's reviews.

JWBear · 02-09-2009, 01:11 PM

Considering that I live with a FLW fanatic, I have no doubt that a copy will at some point take up residence in our house.

Strangler Lewis · 02-10-2009, 07:19 AM

I'm sure I'll get it, but I've been a bit disappointed with Boyle in recent years. Too much cranky environmentalism, and his word choices no longer seem as magically perfect.

Not Afraid · 02-10-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

I'm sure I'll get it, but I've been a bit disappointed with Boyle in recent years. Too much cranky environmentalism, and his word choices no longer seem as magically perfect.

I understand. You were the one who turned me on to Boyle many years ago and he was pure magic back then. I don't think he'll ever match Water Music or World's End (or Greasy Lake) for perfection, but I'm still enjoying his writing. I thought his Kinsey novel was wonderful.

Not Afraid · 06-24-2009, 08:36 PM

I'm reviving this decrepit thread because BOTH of us have read The Women and I have gone on to read Loving Frank - another piece of historical/biography fiction about Wright. I actually enjoyed Loving Frank even more than the Boyle version. But, I really do recommend them both to any Wright aficionado.

I'm also continuing with my Boyle kick by re-reading World's End. It is very interesting to re-read something that was first read 20 or so year s ago. Still loving it, but in an entirely different way.

Hey what else do you do when you're sick besides sleep. Reading is the next best option.

02-09-2009, 11:16 AM	#2
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Oooh. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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02-09-2009, 11:33 AM	#3
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	Re: The Women. The subject matter appeals to me greatly, but I will sheepishly admit that I got nervous when I heard an NPR reviewer state that the book is written in reverse chronology. This causes me a slight sigh, because 1) it's been done before (Pinter, Sondheim, Christopher Nolan) and 2) it's a technique that usually gives me a headache. Totally my own shortcoming, I confess. So, I'll wait for everyone else's reviews.
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02-09-2009, 01:11 PM	#4
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	Considering that I live with a FLW fanatic, I have no doubt that a copy will at some point take up residence in our house. __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
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02-10-2009, 07:19 AM	#5
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	I'm sure I'll get it, but I've been a bit disappointed with Boyle in recent years. Too much cranky environmentalism, and his word choices no longer seem as magically perfect. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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06-24-2009, 08:36 PM	#7
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I'm reviving this decrepit thread because BOTH of us have read The Women and I have gone on to read Loving Frank - another piece of historical/biography fiction about Wright. I actually enjoyed Loving Frank even more than the Boyle version. But, I really do recommend them both to any Wright aficionado. I'm also continuing with my Boyle kick by re-reading World's End. It is very interesting to re-read something that was first read 20 or so year s ago. Still loving it, but in an entirely different way. Hey what else do you do when you're sick besides sleep. Reading is the next best option.
	Submit to Quotes