The Heir [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Barbara Taylor Bradford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2007

The Deravenels: Their business empire is worth billions, their influence stretches across the globe. And Edward, the dashing and charismatic chosen son, is the king of his company at last. He has survived harrowing years of betrayal, threats from ruthless enemies, and countless lovers—his demanding wife among them. But the most dramatic event of Edward’s life is still to come…

A worthy heir is needed to keep the Deravenel dynasty alive. But for this family, tragedy and death remain obstacles at every turn. Now Edward must navigate a dangerous collision course between his two brothers: the loyal, beloved Richard and his middle brother, George, an alcoholic bent on ruining Edward and his good name. Or he could pursue an entirely different option—one so desperate, and scandalous, that it would leave the world of the Deravenels forever changed….

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bestseller Bradford (The Ravenscar Dynasty; Voice of the Heart) presents the serviceable second chapter in her Ravenscar trilogy, a dynastic epic spanning the 20th century. In 1918, 14 years after assuming control of the family company, 33-year-old Edward Deravenel has built it into the greatest trading company in the world, with business interests ranging from French wine to Persian oil. Edward is also blessed with the sprawling Ravenscar estate and a son he hopes will eventually take the company helm. However, Edward has enemies on all sides, most notably his treacherous younger brother, George, and jealous wife Elizabeth. Even Edward's trusted youngest brother, Richard, may not be all he seems. A series of scandals threatens to ruin Edward's heirs' claim to the company, though much of the action feels muted. The plot gains much needed direction and momentum after Edward is felled by a heart attack, his two young sons disappear and the company's fate falls on the shoulders of his oldest daughter, Bess. The last third carries the book and makes up for the plodding earlier sections. This isn't one of Bradford's better books, but it should tide over her fans. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“Rife with dastardly struggles, smoldering, illicit passion, and cowardly insidious betrayals…Fans of Bradford’s trademark brand of panoramic, multigenerational historical dramas will have plenty to sink their teeth into as the feuding Deravenels continue their rivalry.”—Booklist

“The queen of the bestseller list still rules with The Heir.”—Miami Herald

“Bestseller Bradford’s dynastic epic spanning the 20th century should tide over her fans…”
—Publishers Weekly

“Bradford’s characters are so real, readers clamor to know them better.”—USA Today

“A juicy family saga….”—BookPage

“Barbara Taylor Bradford triumphs once again.”—Fantastic Fiction

“This expertly crafted epic novel further explores the triumphs and tragedies of the Deravenel family. It will enthrall readers with its vivid characters and fast-paced, larger-than-life plot.”—Romantic Times BOOKreviews (4 ½ stars)

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 853 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press Large Print (December 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602850860
• ISBN-13: 978-0739488638
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,388,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

Barbara Taylor Bradford, OBE is one of the world's best loved storytellers. Her 1979 debut novel, A Woman of Substance, ranks as one of the top-ten bestselling books of all-time, with more than 30 million copies in print. All 25 of her novels to date have been major worldwide bestsellers. Her 26th book, Playing The Game, will be published on October 12th by St. Martin's Press.

Bradford was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire (UK) as the only child of Freda and Winston Taylor. She grew up in the Leeds suburb of Armley and after Town Street Church of England School worked in the typing pool at the Yorkshire Evening Post before going into journalism. By the age of twenty she was the fashion editor of Woman's Own Magazine and an editor and columnist on Fleet Street for the London Evening News.

Bradford's books have sold more than eighty-two (82) million copies worldwide in more than ninety (90) countries and forty (40) languages. Ten (10) of her books have been made into miniseries and television movies, making her one of the best-selling authors over the last 30 years.

In April of 2003, Mrs. Bradford was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America alongside Mark Twain, Langston Hughes and Dr. Seuss. She was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in the Queen's 2007 Birthday Honours list for her contributions to literature. Her original manuscripts are archived at the Brotherton Library at Leeds University, alongside the works of the Bronte sisters. In 2009, Barbara's publishers began a worldwide 30th anniversary celebration of A Woman of Substance. The first annual Woman of Substance Awards took place on September 10th 2009 at the Dorchester Hotel in London. She lives in New York City with her husband, of 43 years, television producer Robert Bradford.

Her official website is: www.barbarataylorbradford.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an impeccable voice performance, December 5, 2007

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Heir (Audio CD)

After his splendid performance of the audio edition of The Ravenscar Dynasty who else to give voice to the second in Bradford's trilogy than British actor and playwright John Lee? His delivery is again impeccable as he successfully brings to life a large cast of characters. His voice is deep with a slight British accent - all the better to read these roles with.

Listeners who have felt withdrawal symptoms without a Bradford saga to lose themselves in have shown they're delighted with the trials and tribulations, maladies and machinations of the Deravenel family. Bradford is deft at plotting stories of multi generational families and The Heir is not an exception as the now 33-year-old Edward Deravenel struggles to hold his company together in the midst of an influenza epidemic, and the plotting of brother George. As if this were not enough, he finds no solace or comfort in the arms of his wife Elizabeth.

While Bradford's storyline is unsurprising, it's pure magic for many.

- Gail Cooke

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Such a disappointment, December 16, 2007

By 

T. DeGolier (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Heir (Hardcover)

I loved, loved, loved "The Ravenscar Dynasty", but "The Heir" was a poor sequel. The books starts out strong, reminding the reader why they fell in love with Edward Deravanel. However, it quickly becomes apparent that Ms. Bradford must have been writing for a deadline. The book is full of tragedy, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But, more often that not, the tragedy strikes with little to no set up and even less explanation. The number of characters that die in this book is staggering.

For me the story ended with the main character. However, the book continues into 2 more generations of this family. It seems the author overlooked an opportunity for at least two or three additional books for this family. We love Ms. Bradford for the epic family stories (a la Emma Harte), so it was rather shocking to fly through a generation of this family in just a chapter or two.

Finally, her last character in this story, Harry Turner, does not seem to fit the 1970s. The ideas of his grandfather, Edward Deravanel, were actually more advanced than Harry's over 50 years later. I was relieved when the story finally ended, but horribly disappointed in the journey.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly Plotted, August 21, 2008

By 

Carol H. Davis "Heavy Reader" (SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Heir (Hardcover)

I think that Barbara Taylor Bradford forgot to plan out this story before sat down to write. I normally love her books but this was a big dissapointment. Characters keep dying, some murdered, but there is no resolution and it seems like the remaining characters don't really care to find out what happened. I kept expecting the bad guy to appear and get his just rewards, but it never happened. The story skips huge chunks of time. The characters could be interesting but are never really utilized in any manner. Reread one of the Emma Harte books and save yourself the misery of this one!