Next Century — H.C. Turk

NEXT CENTURY tells the same story set in three different eras: 1799, 1999, and 2099.

Born in 1799, Claire Easton continues a line of women dissatisfied with the gentleman's world of London. Playing with a lad named Walter, Claire learns that boys are sent to school for an education, though girls are taught to sew at home. She learns of social punition by seeing her mother receive a caning from her husband for not having born an heir.

As a young adult, Claire tries to gain employment, but is reviled for behaving like a man. The only job she can gain offers sheer drudgery. Seeing her mother beaten once too often, Claire goes to Walter. She convinces him to lead her to a thugs' roost, where Claire will purchase a thrashing for her father. Instead, thugs force Walter to have sex with Claire. The men are enjailed, and Claire becomes pregnant.

Claire is fired due to her wanton behavior. But her employer's son, Richmond, proves himself a true gentleman by proposing marriage. Claire accepts, but never comes to love Richmond. After the child is born, Claire petitions for Walter's release from prison, insisting that she does not feel love for Walter, only responsibility. She tries to achieve an emotional bond with her husband, but fails. Two years later, hearing that Walter will be freed, Richmond kills himself.

Though not in love, Claire and Walter are together in life. Claire now understands that she can best succeed not by attacking society, but by progressing with her living. In 1825, Claire, Walter, and their daughter leave for America.

Book II tells the story of Claire East, born in Midwest America, 1980. The last story, Book III, is of the final Claire, who is born in 2099, on the moon.