Comments on: Loving Frank http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/2009/08/26/loving-frank/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:57:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Pamela Sanford http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/2009/08/26/loving-frank/comment-page-1/#comment-264942 Pamela Sanford Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:42:14 +0000 http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/?p=2625#comment-264942 I am very late with my comments because I just read the book. I'm feeling some regret that I did not know about this thought-invoking book "Loving Frank" last year, when the discussion groups, I am sure, were quite lively with comment. But, as I am sure many have experienced, I can't help thinking about this book. Some questions/comments that occurred to me are: 1. Do "intellectuals" like Frank and Mamah have something inside of them that drives them so strongly as to justify forsaking family? 2. I noted that neither family seemed to be church-going, so if it is a fact that this was absent in both of their families, was this perhaps a reason, that they did not feel a moral or religious responsibility to "do the right thing" by their families and society. 3. In essence, does "genius" or wish for "intellectual fulfillment" EVER justify leaving your marriage or children. 4. Another thought, that once you are married, your life becomes the well being and care of any children of that marriage. And that nothing outside of this, even the lack of "self-actualization" can justify abandoning this. 5. Both Frank and Mamah were "artists" in their mental makeup. Do artists have such a strong sense of having to express themselves that they cannot justify not living a life that caters wholly to their artistic expression, family or children or society notwithstanding? I am very late with my comments because I just read the book. I’m feeling some regret that I did not know about this thought-invoking book “Loving Frank” last year, when the discussion groups, I am sure, were quite lively with comment.

But, as I am sure many have experienced, I can’t help thinking about this book. Some questions/comments that occurred to me are:

1. Do “intellectuals” like Frank and Mamah have something inside of them that drives them so strongly as to justify forsaking family?

2. I noted that neither family seemed to be church-going, so if it is a fact that this was absent in both of their families, was this perhaps a reason, that they did not feel a moral or religious responsibility to “do the right thing” by their families and society.

3. In essence, does “genius” or wish for “intellectual fulfillment” EVER justify leaving your marriage or children.

4. Another thought, that once you are married, your life becomes the well being and care of any children of that marriage. And that nothing outside of this, even the lack of “self-actualization” can justify abandoning this.

5. Both Frank and Mamah were “artists” in their mental makeup. Do artists have such a strong sense of having to express themselves that they cannot justify not living a life that caters wholly to their artistic expression, family or children or society notwithstanding?

]]> By: Lisamm http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/2009/08/26/loving-frank/comment-page-1/#comment-85317 Lisamm Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:47:03 +0000 http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/?p=2625#comment-85317 My book club's discussion of this book was really something else, too. I have to say we were very critical of both Frank and Mamah. I wrote about it on my blog: http://lisamm.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/book-club-wrap-up-loving-frank-by-nancy-horan/ Oh, and I LOVED Last Night at the Lobster! But I agree that a discussion of it probably won't generate the same kind of heat as Loving Frank. I didn't read Lobster with my group but would love to have someone to talk to about it!! WIll look for your review. My book club’s discussion of this book was really something else, too. I have to say we were very critical of both Frank and Mamah.

I wrote about it on my blog:

http://lisamm.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/book-club-wrap-up-loving-frank-by-nancy-horan/

Oh, and I LOVED Last Night at the Lobster! But I agree that a discussion of it probably won’t generate the same kind of heat as Loving Frank. I didn’t read Lobster with my group but would love to have someone to talk to about it!! WIll look for your review.

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