I didn’t set out to reread Frederica, but the Folio Society just brought out a couple of beautiful editions of some of Heyer’s books, so I had to buy them. My original review is here, but I thought I’d talk about some things that struck me this time around.
Heyer has a great sense of humor, and I was tickled by the situation that brings about the climax of the book. Frederica has spent a good deal of ill-afforded money and enlisted Lord Alverstoke’s help with the aim of making a good match for her beautiful but dim-witted sister, Charis. Unfortunately, Charis has fallen in love with Endymion Dauntry, Alverstoke’s handsome but stupid heir. Frederica is skeptical of Charis’s affections because she has fallen in love many times before. Endymion has convinced himself that Alverstoke would prevent the match by having him sent on a mission. Not only does Alverstoke have no power to do so, but he doesn’t really care who Endymion marries. He thinks Endymion isn’t serious because he hasn’t consulted him about getting married.
Endymion is friends with Harry, Charis’s and Frederica’s brother, and the two have been confiding their star-crossed misfortunes to him. Frederica makes him angry for some trivial reason, and he suddenly realizes he is Charis’s guardian. So, the three of them stage a totally unnecessary runaway marriage.
Felix and Jessamy, Frederica’s young brothers, are especially delightful characters. Heyer is an amusing writer and a master of silly situations such as the one that Charis and Endymion create for themselves.
What? Me Read? 
WOW!
What a gorgeous edition of this book!
The illustration you included represents the first of my favorite scenes in the book. I especially like the way both Frederica and Alverstoke handle the entire incident.—and Luff—along with Felix and Jessamy, are my favorite characters in this book.
Penguin Classics has put out a new recording of this book, and the reader—Joe Jamieson—is excellent. I listen to this book often at night to put me to sleep. The juxtaposition of the family dynamics of the two main characters is so stark, and SO funny. Every family scene with the Merrivilles is enjoyable and so normal, while Alverstoke’s relations are so obnoxious. As you say, Felix and Jessamy are delightful: in my opinion, their antics carry the story. The two love affairs are really secondary to my appreciation of this book, although I must admit that Charles Trevor’s recounting of the elopement in the last chapter is priceless. In all of Heyer’s other works, I can’t think of another couple as beautiful and dimwitted as Charis and Endymion.
Sue
Heyer does dimwitted people so well, too!
The Folio Society books are a real temptation! I’m sure I’ve read this one, since the plot sound vaguely familiar, but clearly it’s time for a re-read…
I have failed to be delivered from temptation.
Hahaha!
The FS do beautiful editions, don’t they? I love my Jane Austen boxed set.
I have two Austen sets from them. For the second one, which was more beautiful, they never released all her novels, which I think is a shame.
That is a shame, it’s much nicer to have a complete set.
I think so, and now I think they have another set they’re selling. I have the first full set, but I don’t think I’m going to get anymore.
I love the dog scene. What a lovely edition.
That is a gorgeous edition of this book!!
Thanks for sharing your review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge!
Yes, it is, isn’t it! Thanks for posting my reviews!