Joan Clark Frederick's Heir

Annotation

Set in the 19thcentury and inspired by Edith Whartons women who were not passive victims oftheir lives, Fredericks Heir isthe story of two girls who defy the conventions of convent school and parties,the social system of Paris. Fredrica Navarreau, known as Rica, tries tolive up to her grandfathers expectations.Preparing to inherit his shipping company she tries to learn about theships and cargo ledgers, activities far outside the constrictions of her Frenchfamilys position. Unable to understandher desire to use her mind her grandfather diverts her attention with thecelebration of the opening of the Suez Canal and a tripto the Far East.Celine Rabut, inchanted by thetheatre and theatre people, begins studying acting in Paris. She lives in the Navarreau home while Rica isaway and tries to help the family during the Prussian War. On her return Rica is dispatched to Londonto marry the son of family friends. The young women fee to New York whereCelines career slowly grows as her parts become more important. Rica, fearing she has alienated her family,returns to Paris to find hergrandfather has died and someone has snatched her inheritance.