Frederica
By Georgette Heyer
When I first heard about Georgette Heyer I thought she was just another "chick-lit" writer. I definitely wasn't expecting a story this charming!
Set during the Regency period of England's history Frederica is a sweet novel depicting the trials and tribulations of Frederica and her siblings. Their parents are dead leaving Frederica as the head of the family. Technically her older brother Harry is the head of the family but "Freddy" is much more capable. Frederica brings her beautiful sister Charis to London for the Season so that she might make a wonderful match. Accompanying them are the younger brothers Jessamy and Felix and their unhappy aunt. Frederica makes an appeal for help to their distant cousin the Marquis of Alverstoke who is indolent and selfish.
Frederica doesn't want financial support, she wants the Marquis to use his social influence to launch Charis into Polite Society. The Marquis of Alverstoke surprisingly agrees to do so; but only because he wants to spite his arrogant, demanding sisters who want him to launch their own daughters into Society.
The Marquis soon finds that his Merriville cousins do not always follow the precedents set down by their peers, inadvertently of course they always seem to be getting into scrapes. Along the way Charis gains a large set of suitors and to her surprise, and Alverstoke's, so does Frederica.
This novel was delectable! Although at times I had trouble understanding the vocabulary because of the liberal use of nineteenth century British slang, I enjoyed it so much that using the context was enough. It was like reading Jane Austen; the author had done so much research that the background and diction could have easily been Austen.
This is recommended for anyone who loves historical settings, Austen, and a good story!
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