My Hero
Michelle and Shawn have published the results online of their “What Discworld Character am I most like” quiz. (My result was “Carrot Ironfoundersson”.)
The results got me thinking. What fictional character – in books, film, comics – do I identify with most, admire most? If I could step into a character’s shoes and life, who would I choose?
Would it be Ista dy Baocia, from Lois McMaster Bujold’s Paladin of Souls, who begins her journey as a defeated, restless madwoman and ends as a warrior-saint?
Or Susan Sto Helit, Death’s granddaughter, from Terry Pratchett’s Soul Music, Hogfather, and Thief of Time? She is a practical and accomplished schoolmistress with a secret, reluctant streak of magic, adventure and romance.
How about Aerin, from Robin McKinley’s The Hero and the Crown, who grows from awkward unpopular princess to dragonslayer and savior of her kingdom?
Then there’s butt-kicking Ellen Ripley, from the Alien movies. She redefined the heroine role in film – and Sigourney Weaver played her well.
How about a male protagonist? Besides the obvious choices (Miles Vorkosigan, Lazarus Long, Aragorn), I’d have to say Westley, from William Goldman’s The Princess Bride. Why? Because we’d all like to think we’d make a good Dread Pirate Roberts.
Besides your Discworld quiz results, who are your favorite characters – the ones you like, the ones you identify with? Why do you like the character – and why is he or she memorable?
August 20th, 2008
Oooh!
I did this awhile ago, in response to top SFF heroines that were primarily movies and TV.
My list is here: http://klishis.com/Books/heroines.php
August 20th, 2008
I’m Jane, baby.
Ha!
August 20th, 2008
For male…I go with DEATH form discworld. I’m sure one of the men in the 1634 series would get my vote.
For female, I’ll take Honor Harrington or Kylara Vatta. Kris Longknife would be on the list too.
August 20th, 2008
Michelle, great list! I hadn’t heard of a few of them, so now I have even MORE books to check out. You’re such a great source for new fantasy reading recommendations.
Janiece, Jane is a great choice. I can definitely see the appeal. Plus, you’d look great in green.
Nathan, DEATH rocks. I love the part in Soul Music where he runs away to join the foreign legion. And I’m a Kris Longknife fan too.
August 21st, 2008
For me, it is Scar, from Heinlein’s Glory Road. I read it at a tween age, and it made a lasting impression. Maybe it was the French nude beach where he met Star, or the sword (one of my dragons named partially for the Lady), or the adventuring companions.
My favorite female character is Miri Robertson in Steve Miller and Sharon Lee’s Liaden series. Val Con is probably #2 male character, as well. I really love Miller and Lee’s works.
August 21st, 2008
I’m a big fan of Ender, the grown up. He’s far from perfect, and has some serious baggage — but ultimately wants to do the right thing. Something about his solitude that I’ve always been fond of.
I also rather like Allanon from Shannnara. I wouldn’t want to be that tall though.
August 21st, 2008
Tom, Glory Road is a Heinlein that I don’t often hear about! It was one of the first I read, too.
Shawn, there’s a sad nobility about adult Ender that I really like, I enjoy how Card made him into a multi-layered character. I’m a sucker for ‘riding off into the sunset alone’ tragically romantic endings.