Frederick's Heir

Joan Clark

Sep 2004 · Author House

About this ebook

Set in the 19th century and inspired by Edith Whartons women who were not passive victims of their lives, Fredericks Heir is the story of two girls who defy the conventions of convent school and parties, the social system of Paris. Fredrica Navarreau, known as Rica, tries to live up to her grandfathers expectations. Preparing to inherit his shipping company she tries to learn about the ships and cargo ledgers, activities far outside the constrictions of her French familys position. Unable to understand her desire to use her mind her grandfather diverts her attention with the celebration of the opening of the Suez Canal and a trip to the Far East.

Celine Rabut, inchanted by the theatre and theatre people, begins studying acting in Paris. She lives in the Navarreau home while Rica is away and tries to help the family during the Prussian War. On her return Rica is dispatched to London to marry the son of family friends. The young women fee to New York where Celines career slowly grows as her parts become more important. Rica, fearing she has alienated her family, returns to Paris to find her grandfather has died and someone has snatched her inheritance.

About the author

From Joan G. Clark: Researching for a class at The University of Texas at Dallas, I came across Walter Bower's book, "Studies in Genius." On his list of female geniuses in the American theatre was the name Adah Isaacs Menken. This unfamiliar name lead me to a trip to New Orleans and the beginning of the plot of "Brief Bright Star." I learned that in the late 19th Century there was a difference between the acting styles of Europe and America. This inspired me to write the character of Celine, who is one of the two leading players in my second book "Frederick's Heir." In turn of the century New York City, celebrity photographer Napoleon Sarony photographed all of the famous names of the day: Sara Bernhardt, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde. His red signature scrawled up the side of each portrait he took made him the perfect flamboyant central character of "Double Shot! a Napoleon Sarony Mystery" co-written with Kay Sanford. Joan G. Clark received her BA from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. and her MA from The University of Texas at Dallas. Her children's play, "Lundy's Child" won an award at the National Youth Playwriting Competition sponsored by IUPUI, Indiana University/Perdue University of Indianapolis. Researching nineteenth century American theatre inspired her transition from writing for the theatre to writing about the theatre. Joan G. Clark's first two books were "Brief Bright Star" and "Frederick's Heir." She then co-wrote "Double Shot! A Napoleon sarong Mystery" with Kay Sanford. Joan G. Clark's first two books were "Brief Bright Star" and "Frederick's Heir." She then co-wrote "Double Shot! A Napoleon Sarony Mystery" with Kay Sanford.