On the balcony, he meets a young actor by the name of Benjamin Trask who warns him about getting too close to Gracie, that she is mysterious and can not be trusted. Soon Conrad is surrounded by Hollywood elite as Gracie and Maxwell disappear. Conrad soon realizes that it wasn't a meeting they called him to, but a party, as guests begin to arrive. Maxwell offers Conrad a drink and Gracie puts on music as they both avoid Conrad's attempts to address any real business. Conrad drives his coupe up into the hills and arrives per their request, where he is greeted by a sleek, doe-eyed model named Evie Clark, who is one of Gracie's best friends. Enamored by Gracie's beauty and still relatively new to the Hollywood circle, Conrad easily agrees without much thought.Ī few weeks later Conrad receives a phone call from Maxwell inviting him to Gracie's residence in Studio City on Friday night to discuss the project.

Gracie was impressed by Conrad's script, and suggests that they should all go into business together to begin a project of their own.

Some time later at a bar in Hollywood, Conrad runs into Gracie and her business partner, Maxwell Price. Being young and in over his head financially, Conrad is forced to abandoned the project and begin anew, but his ambition is not easily forgotten by those around him. Utilizing his glimpse of fame, he decides to produce his first film, which brings him to the attention of Gracie Garrison, a beautiful socialite who decides to audition for the project. Upon his arrival, Conrad struggles for a while as he adjusts to the city and hones his craft, then, after a few years, he meets a group of artists and writes a play that brings him his first taste of real success. ( May 2021) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Īt the turn of the 21st century, a young man by the name of Conrad Arlington drives over the 101 freeway into Los Angeles, California for the first time to pursue his dream of becoming a great artist. Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise. This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Conrad's move to Los Angeles in order to make something of himself could be considered a look into certain aspects of the American Dream. īarnes’ first novel explores themes such as coming of age, individuality, social class, true love, and the innate the need for individual importance. From humble beginnings, Conrad begins making his way into the Hollywood circles and within a few year's time catches the eye of Gracie Garrison, a beautiful, mysterious socialite who is just as alluring as the rumors that surround her. The story tells the tale of Conrad Arlington, a young Hollywood hopeful that moves to modern day Los Angeles to fulfill his dream of becoming a great artist. True Grandeur is a 2017 novel written by American author Cal R. Hardcover, trade paperback, ebook & audio

True Grandeur by Cal R. Barnes