A WORLD OF ENLIGHTENMENT, REVOLUTION, AND INTRIGUE
1776: Benjamin Franklin sails to Paris, carrying a copy of the Declaration of Independence, freshly signed. His charge: gain the support of France for the unfolding American Revolution. Yet Paris is a city of distractions. Ben’s lover, Marianne Davies, will soon arrive, and he yearns to rekindle his affair with the beautiful musician.
Dr. Franz Mesmer has plans for Marianne too. He has taken Parisian nobility by storm with his discovery of magnétisme animale, a mysterious force claimed to heal the sick. Marianne’s ability to channel Mesmer’s phenomena is key to his success.
A skeptical King Louis XVI appoints Ben to head a commission investigating the astonishing magnétisme animale. By nature, Ben requires proof. Can he scientifically prove that it does not exist? Mesmer will stop at nothing to protect his profitable claim.
The Wisdom of The Flock explores the conflict between science and mysticism in a time rife with revolution, love, spies, and passion.
Writing interview questions.
Why did you choose to write your book in this era?
I think that the era chose me. I was reading a paper about the interaction between Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Franz Mesmer – specifically the French commission headed by Franklin which was formed to investigate the practice of Mesmerism. The conflict between science and mysticism interested me from the start but the more I looked into the story, the more I was hooked. I realized that there were many prominent historical figures around at the time (Marie Antoinette, John Paul Jones, Pierre Beaumarchais, Amadeus Mozart, even Casanova) that all interacted with Franklin during his time in France and that I could include in the story. The American revolution was happening in the background. When I also discovered the (fictional but plausible) love triangle between Franklin, Mesmer, and a young musician named Marianne Davies, I knew that I had to write it.
What is the most surprising thing you discovered while you were researching this era?
I am sure that I never knew before writing the book that Ben Franklin had invented a musical instrument that he called his glass armonica. He invented it specifically for Marianne Davies in 1761 when Ben lived in London before the time period of this book. Mozart and Hayden wrote music for the glass armonica and musicians still play it today.
Can you share something about the book that isn’t covered in the blurb?
The true meaning of life is revealed - at least according to Casanova.
If you had to describe your protagonist, in three words, what would those three words be?
I would describe Ben Franklin as a pragmatic virile hedonist – not the corpulent gouty statesman you think he was.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently researching the period when Franklin was in England (1757-1762 and 1764-1775) prior to his time in France portrayed in this book (1776-1785). It will ultimately likely become a “prequel” to this book.
I also have been doing some research into the period after his return from France to America (1785 until his death in 1790) as a possible sequel.
Personal Interview questions.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Bicycling or photography.
What’s your favourite food?
Any kind of seafood except scallops – not sure why that is.
What is the best part of your day?
Relaxing, petting my dog on the back deck at sunset.
Either or!
Tea or coffee: Coffee
Hot or cold: Hot
Movie or book: Either, but I always like to read the book first if there is one.
Morning person or Night owl: Morning
City or country: City
Social Media or book: Book
Paperback or ebook: Hardcover – I am a boomer!
Steve Gnatz is a writer, physician, bicyclist, photographer, traveler, and aspiring ukulele player. The son of a history professor and a nurse, it seems that both medicine and history are in his blood. Writing historical fiction came naturally. An undergraduate degree in biology was complemented by a minor in classics. After completing medical school, he embarked on an academic medical career specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. There was little time for writing during those years, other than research papers and a technical primer on electromyography. Now retired from the practice of medicine, he devotes himself to the craft of fiction. The history of science is of particular interest, but also the dynamics of human relationships. People want to be good scientists, but sometimes human nature gets in the way. That makes for interesting stories. When not writing or traveling, he enjoys restoring Italian racing bicycles at home in Chicago with his wife and daughters.
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What a great interview!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting today's tour stop.