Favorite character or type of character?

[Anonymous]

A favorite book of mine is "Pillards of the Earth" because of the character Tom Builder. And I like characters like that in most of my books now. But it's hard to find books based on that specific characteristic.

Someone asked why I like him. He has a pretty formulaic background that makes him easy to root for
. Humble beginnings
. Hard worker
. Went against corruption

There are several other characters who have this background and aren't as likeable so the writing definitely has something to do with it. But this goes against guys who are arrogant or who luck into everything and do nothing on their own.

What about you? Are there any characters you like and why?

[Anonymous]

One of my favorite characters among all the books I've read is Morgaine (aka Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's sister) from The Mists of Avalon. She is complicated, passionate, flawed, and deeply human. I have a lot of criticisms about the book itself, but Morgaine's character has stayed with me ever since I first read the book in HS, and then through numerous re-readings.

Another is Kurt Wallander, of the Wallander mystery series. I post a lot on DCUM about Nordic noir, as it's one of my favorite genres; this is the series that got me into it. Wallander, a police officer in a town in Sweden, is methodical in his investigations and considered an ace on the police force. But he's also deeply human--a divorced father of an adult daughter, a son worrying about his own aging father (with whom he has a very complicated relationship), a lonely soul looking for love, and a worrier, uncertain about his place in a changing Sweden. Over the 10 or so books of the series, you really get to see his character evolve.

[Anonymous]

complex anti-heros

Mme Flaubert, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my favorite characters among all the books I've read is Morgaine (aka Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's sister) from The Mists of Avalon. She is complicated, passionate, flawed, and deeply human. I have a lot of criticisms about the book itself, but Morgaine's character has stayed with me ever since I first read the book in HS, and then through numerous re-readings.

Another is Kurt Wallander, of the Wallander mystery series. I post a lot on DCUM about Nordic noir, as it's one of my favorite genres; this is the series that got me into it. Wallander, a police officer in a town in Sweden, is methodical in his investigations and considered an ace on the police force. But he's also deeply human--a divorced father of an adult daughter, a son worrying about his own aging father (with whom he has a very complicated relationship), a lonely soul looking for love, and a worrier, uncertain about his place in a changing Sweden. Over the 10 or so books of the series, you really get to see his character evolve.

Do you have a favorite in the Kurt Wallander series? I could start with the first one, but if there’s another one that’s more likely to pull me into reading the series, I’d appreciate recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my favorite characters among all the books I've read is Morgaine (aka Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's sister) from The Mists of Avalon. She is complicated, passionate, flawed, and deeply human. I have a lot of criticisms about the book itself, but Morgaine's character has stayed with me ever since I first read the book in HS, and then through numerous re-readings.

Another is Kurt Wallander, of the Wallander mystery series. I post a lot on DCUM about Nordic noir, as it's one of my favorite genres; this is the series that got me into it. Wallander, a police officer in a town in Sweden, is methodical in his investigations and considered an ace on the police force. But he's also deeply human--a divorced father of an adult daughter, a son worrying about his own aging father (with whom he has a very complicated relationship), a lonely soul looking for love, and a worrier, uncertain about his place in a changing Sweden. Over the 10 or so books of the series, you really get to see his character evolve.

Do you have a favorite in the Kurt Wallander series? I could start with the first one, but if there’s another one that’s more likely to pull me into reading the series, I’d appreciate recommendations.

My favorite was actually Book 3 in the series: The White Lioness. This is probably one series that is better suited for reading chronologically, so you get the full sense of the character's evolution and progression, but Book 3 is far better and more complex than Books 1 and 2. Book 3 rehashes to a certain extent Wallander's personal background (e.g. his divorce, relationship with his adult daughter and father, etc.) and place within the police force so it's not like you miss a ton of key information if you started right with Book 3.

A close second is One Step Behind (book 7).

[Anonymous]

I opened this to say Wallender also! (pp, I would just start with the first one). I also think Thomas Cromwell in the Bring Up the Bodies series is a great character-it's fascinating how Mantel develops interiority for this character who exists before the age of psychology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my favorite characters among all the books I've read is Morgaine (aka Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's sister) from The Mists of Avalon. She is complicated, passionate, flawed, and deeply human. I have a lot of criticisms about the book itself, but Morgaine's character has stayed with me ever since I first read the book in HS, and then through numerous re-readings.

Another is Kurt Wallander, of the Wallander mystery series. I post a lot on DCUM about Nordic noir, as it's one of my favorite genres; this is the series that got me into it. Wallander, a police officer in a town in Sweden, is methodical in his investigations and considered an ace on the police force. But he's also deeply human--a divorced father of an adult daughter, a son worrying about his own aging father (with whom he has a very complicated relationship), a lonely soul looking for love, and a worrier, uncertain about his place in a changing Sweden. Over the 10 or so books of the series, you really get to see his character evolve.

Do you have a favorite in the Kurt Wallander series? I could start with the first one, but if there’s another one that’s more likely to pull me into reading the series, I’d appreciate recommendations.

My favorite was actually Book 3 in the series: The White Lioness. This is probably one series that is better suited for reading chronologically, so you get the full sense of the character's evolution and progression, but Book 3 is far better and more complex than Books 1 and 2. Book 3 rehashes to a certain extent Wallander's personal background (e.g. his divorce, relationship with his adult daughter and father, etc.) and place within the police force so it's not like you miss a ton of key information if you started right with Book 3.

A close second is One Step Behind (book 7).

Thanks! It’s always fun to start reading a new-to-me series.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I opened this to say Wallender also! (pp, I would just start with the first one). I also think Thomas Cromwell in the Bring Up the Bodies series is a great character-it's fascinating how Mantel develops interiority for this character who exists before the age of psychology.

I’m thinking I might start with The White Lioness, then, if I like it, I’ll go back and read them in order. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Anonymous]

I like troubled loners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:complex anti-heros

Mme Flaubert, etc

I like this in concept but I've seen it executed better in comics and movies then in novels. It's too easy for the anti hero to just be a jerk or evil. I'm thinking about a series I just reread by Michael Sullivan (the Rivera Chronicles) and the two main characters have something of this, but sometimes it's pushed too much towards wanting to call them heroes and sometimes towards wanting to call them villans.

I know this is a book thread. But I just watched Daredevil the series on Netflix and he's either a hero or an anti hero, but it's a difficult line to see because he wants to do the right thing but not through certain means but even then he sometimes is willing to do really bad things g to bad people. I honestly wish it was a book so I could get even more into the characters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:complex anti-heros

Mme Flaubert, etc

I like this in concept but I've seen it executed better in comics and movies then in novels. It's too easy for the anti hero to just be a jerk or evil. I'm thinking about a series I just reread by Michael Sullivan (the Rivera Chronicles) and the two main characters have something of this, but sometimes it's pushed too much towards wanting to call them heroes and sometimes towards wanting to call them villans.

I know this is a book thread. But I just watched Daredevil the series on Netflix and he's either a hero or an anti hero, but it's a difficult line to see because he wants to do the right thing but not through certain means but even then he sometimes is willing to do really bad things g to bad people. I honestly wish it was a book so I could get even more into the characters.

You've read Madame Flaubert?

[Anonymous]

Hmm. Underestimated people who overcome obstacles and grow into their authentic selves in ways that lead to “good” outcomes.

[Anonymous]

I read a lot of books along the lines of "woman is dissatisfied with her life so she does something radical to shake up her life, then lives happily ever after."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read a lot of books along the lines of "woman is dissatisfied with her life so she does something radical to shake up her life, then lives happily ever after."

Have you read Folly by Laurie King (The author of the Mary Russell novels)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:complex anti-heros

Mme Flaubert, etc

I like this in concept but I've seen it executed better in comics and movies then in novels. It's too easy for the anti hero to just be a jerk or evil. I'm thinking about a series I just reread by Michael Sullivan (the Rivera Chronicles) and the two main characters have something of this, but sometimes it's pushed too much towards wanting to call them heroes and sometimes towards wanting to call them villans.

I know this is a book thread. But I just watched Daredevil the series on Netflix and he's either a hero or an anti hero, but it's a difficult line to see because he wants to do the right thing but not through certain means but even then he sometimes is willing to do really bad things g to bad people. I honestly wish it was a book so I could get even more into the characters.

You've read Madame Flaubert?

DP. Can we try to keep tedious DCUM snobbery and one-upsmanship out of one forum at least….