Felicity Merriman
Guys, I don’t know a better way to simultaneously nerd out, reminisce, AND celebrate the Fourth of July than shouting my love of one of the original American Girls (like, LITERALLY because she lived during the American Revolution), Felicity Merriman, sister, daughter, friend, horse-lover, ginger, needlepoint-hater, and Benjamin Davidson-crusher. You know what else I can’t ignore? Her name is one of my favorite words:
The bottom line is this: I LOVED the American Girl series when I was growing up (or, you know, I still have a huge soft spot for them now), and Felicity was my favorite, hands down.
So, here’s the deal with my girl, Felicity. Her family calls her Lissie, which is freaking ADORABLE. She’s lives in Williamsburg, VA, with her mom, Marth, her dad, Edward, and her younger sibs, a sister, Nan and a brother, William. Her father runs a general store that also happens to serve as gathering spot for information as the 13 Colonies slowly descend into rebellion. Benjamin Davidson is an apprentice at her father’s store, and y’all, Lissie and Ben are basically FATED to be together, I’m convinced. I shipped them before I even knew what that was. I’m clearly not the only one, either: there’s a tumblr for this ship called Stolen Breeches, after a memorable incident in MEET FELICITY where she steals a pair of Ben’s pants to wear on her nighttime quest to save a horse, Penny (more on her in a sec).
Shailene Woodley and Kevin Zegers played my American Girl OTP in Felicity: An American Girl Adventure
Anyway, the Merrimans, like all families in the colonies at the time are forced to take sides in the conflict with England. OF COURSE, Felicity and her family are Patriots (her father stops selling tea in his store waaaay before everyone else does). This leads to high drama, as well as normal, everyday shenanigans, which are inevitable because of Lissie’s spirit and independence.
For real, Felicity is an amazing, brave, impulsive girl, who believes in fighting for what’s right. She can’t sit still, and is very headstrong, but HOLY CRAP I always admired her pluck.
Also, she has a GORGEOUS horse named Penny–short for Independence–that she saved from the gross douchnozzle, Jiggy Nye. They are BESTIES.
For all that I love Felicity–and all the American Girls, to be honest–it makes me sad to see how the original ones, the ones that I knew and loved and read about voraciously when I was young, are falling out of favor or being outright DISCONTINUED, like, alas, my red-haired girl here. Maybe it’s just a sign of me being old, or maybe it’s a sign of me be averse to change, but who are all these RANDOM whippersnappers they have now? They have an American Girl from the 1960s California, for crying out loud! And listen, that’s an incredibly important time in our nation’s history, too, and a vibrant culture. But Felicity was literally present during THE BIRTH OF OUR NATION. WT actual F? Don’t play me like that, American Girl. DON’T EVEN.
Anyway, the reason that I’m giving my girl Lissie some props today is because the American Revolution–the thing we celebrate today in my neck of the woods, and many of yours–was the backdrop of her life, and it’s the historical period that I, a history NERD, love the most. And that is almost entirely thanks to Felicity, and these books.
Felicity was my favorite American girl. <3 Though I never had any o fthe dolls, I had all of the Felicity books and dearly, dearly loved them. I am so sad to see some of the original American Girls being discontinued. What a shame. 🙁
YAY! Another Felicity lover! I read as many of the American Girl books I could get my hands on from the library, and I had a few dolls, too. But What I loved the most were the books and the stories and the HISTORY. It makes me so sad that so many of the original girls aren’t around anymore, although I think you can still get all of their books. So there’s that 🙂
I LOVED American Girl. It was so good! Not to mention educational and progressive. We even read one of the Felicity books in my 4th grade history class. But alas, Mattel has ruined yet another thing I love. Here’s an article about how the once brilliant dolls become bland and unquestioning, if you’re interested.
http://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/04/american-girls-arent-radical-anymore/275199/#disqus_thread
Also, she and Ben totally got married and had little Patriot babies.
Stinking corporate toy monstrosities. Ruining EVERYTHING.
I love that you read a Felicity book in school, though! That’s awesome! I was never that lucky. I’m definitely going to check out that article, too. (I’m not even just saying that. It’s already open in my browser!)
PS. THEY TOTALLY DID. I just know it.
It makes me so giddy that you featured Felicity (and by default, American Girl) on your blog today! I loved, loved, LOVED that series when I was younger, though I was particularly fond of Samantha and then Josefina when she came along. I think Felicity’s story is truly important though, and perfect to post about to celebrate today!
Hehehe YAY! I’m so glad that you are giddy! I loved all of the girls, to be honest, and I loved Samantha because she looked the most like me. Also, because I LOVED her Aunt Cordelia! The suffragette? So awesome.
I was just growing out of these when Josefina came along. In fact, I think she was the last new girl before I officially became “too old” lol.
Oh yeah, I loved the original American Girl Books, too. My favorite was Molly (I have a real thing for WWII), but of course I loved Felicity (love that word, too!) and Samantha and Kirsten. I like that the American Girl company has added more diversity to the girls, but I also want them to keep the originals.
Great post!
Oh, I adored Molly! You remember her Christmas book when her maid/housekeeper lady makes cinnamon buns? No? Am I the only loon who remembers the food, lol? But I loved Molly. SIGH. I want to read all of these books RIGHT NOW.
I also appreciate the diversity they have now, but the originals were so special. It’s a shame that they don’t shout them out more often now and that all these young girls today (OMG that might be the old-ladiest thing I’ve EVER SAID) aren’t as exposed to them.
YESSSSSSSSSS I loved American Girl! My faves were Addy, Molly, and Felicity and I used to read all the books, get the magazine, calendar, stickers, and jacket, but never a doll. Too expensive, although I think I’ve heard of libraries that let you borrow the dolls. How cool is that??
I too am outraged at the new girls. Stick with the originals! I remember when Josefina came out and I thought that was kind of crazy, but these new girls take the cake. At least we have our memories of the originals 🙂
WOO HOOO!! You were a hardcore fan! I love it. Every Christmas for a few years when I was younger, I would ask for a different doll, but my sister would ask for stuff for Samantha. I could never decide which one I liked the very, VERY best (although in my heart it was always Lissie). I would’ve LOVED it if my library lent the dolls out! That sounds amazing!
I’m thankful for my memories, too. There’s something about the new ones that just seems…wrong to me. Like America is a man during a mid-life crisis who throws over his devoted wife of many years for a Barbie doll co-ed. BLERGH.
I love your post on Felicity! She was my favorite doll as well and I was so sad that they discontinued her! She was the doll I was hoping to get my daughter, but I did end up getting her the new Caroline doll, who lives during the war of 1812. I know a lot of people are disappointed in American Girl, but they are still doing historical dolls and the historical books. And I still love looking through the catalogs with all the dolls and their accessories, even in my 30s. (Shh, don’t tell anyone- I’m shopping for my daughters, right?)
Loved your post!
Hahaha…of course you’re shopping for them!! (I won’t tell a soul ;-).) It’s completely true that they are still sticking to the main purpose of American Girl–the historical dolls and books–and I would probably still love to read about the new ones because I’m a nerd that way. I guess I just have a soft spot for the ones I knew and loved when I was young, like I’m sure everyone does. Although Caroline during the War of 1812, huh? That sounds VERY interesting!
Thanks so much for stopping by! So glad you enjoyed my Felicity fangirling!
Omg I LOVED American Girl. My favorite was Kirsten (because we looked alike. Duh) and then loved Samantha and Molly. WHY did I not love Felicity more? I think she’s someone I might appreciate more as an adult for some reason……. And you totally made me want to go back and read them all. Kind of wish I had kept all my books, but you know… Teenagers know all and so I got rid of them. I DO hope my doll’s still around SOMEWHERE though.
I was going to say something more but alas… I have lost my train of thought! LOVE this fangirling though!!
OH! That’s what it was. SHAILENE WOODLEY WTF. Why are you everywhere!?! End rant.
BAHAHA! Right?! I had no idea that they even made a movie. At least they made her a ginger!
I loved Kirsten SO MUCH, I think because I have always been fascinated with pioneers. THAT is thanks to Little House on the Prairie. I am no blonde Scandinavian, but my goodness, I loved her.
Molly, too. Something about Molly reminded me of my grandparents, and that just cemented my love for her. <3
Oh my childhood and how I loved and adore the American Girl books.
HOW DARE THEY DISCONTINUE THE DOLLS OF OUR CHILDHOOD
I FEEL YOUR INDIGNATION, Ashley. YES.
I can’t even.
Like seriously.
I love you. I love everything about this post. I LOVE FELICITY. I was such a huge American Girl girl, I spent all of the money I would save toward buying the books/accessories, etc. My first memory of staying up all night reading was to a Samantha book. I adore Felicity. My favorite, however, is actually Kirsten. That’s because my own family was a Norwegian farm family from the Midwest, which was so similar to her own story that it felt like reading about my own ancestors. I get so sad these days when girls just have the dolls that look like them, and not these great historical icons. I remember Felicity’s stories making a HUGE impression on me because it shined a light on Loyalists in a way that not much other American Revolution lit did for me as a kit (and I read a LOT–hello Rinaldi).
I’m SO happy you posted about this, Amy. Such a fan. AND, I do have the Felicity doll which will someday be given to my own daughter. Only if she’s proven herself WORTHY.
I love you for loving this post and for LOVING American Girls so much. I’m so, so glad that you had such strong connections with them and their stories! I love Kirsten, with her looping braids and strapping Norwegian brothers.
But honestly, were these books not the best thing? I have such incredibly fond memories of these characters and their lives, it’s unbelievable. I can literally trace so many of my current must-read topics back to these books: Colonial America, pioneers…They were so important to forming my reader brain, and to the fact that I love history so much.
I’m sure that ANY daughter of yours would be more than worthy of Felicity. <333
Ooops…Kirsten was Swedish. I feel like I knew that, too. Brain fart!
I love this post! American Girls are still pretty awesome in my book. I’ve discovered that there are several bookstores in town that have American Girl book clubs. I totally want to crash a meeting. AND one of the private schools in town has an AG CLASS! They read the books and talk about the time period. Obviously, I’m very jealous.
YAY! Thank you! Now that I’ve gotten the excitement and thanks out there, let’s discuss how INSANELY jealous I am of this CLASS?! What?! I would take it right now! That’s the best idea for a class EVER! If I asked where you lived and then moved there, would that be weird? (Yes. Ignore me.)
Also, please crash one of those book clubs and report back. OOH! We should start one! I’d get down with that in a FLASH.
Okay, I need to watch that video of Felicity!
I remember reading a few of the American Girl books when I was a kid but I do not remember Felicity which makes me sad because she is totally the deal based on this post!
Felicity is my favorite American girl as well! (followed by Samantha) One of the best parts about Felicity is that the American culture actually works to preserve her time period. When I visited Williamsburg when I was little, I took my Felicity doll with me.
And what an interesting thing that the actress who played Felicity is now playing Tris in Divergent.