Part 9/13:
The overarching plot follows Cornelia’s ascent to influence through beauty and wit, only to become disillusioned by the emptiness of her achievements. She faces a pivotal choice: continue pursuing power or seek genuine connection.
This internal conflict forms her character arc, and Shapiro envisions splitting the story into a duology:
Book 1: Ascension — her rise to prominence
Book 2: Descent — her reckoning and search for meaning
He sees her journey as a reflection of the broader societal decline—personal ambition intertwined with historical change. The story explores themes of the fragility of success, the dangers of external validation, and the importance of inner fulfillment.