10/14/2007

Ten

Here are ten literary characters of the male species who I have a slight crush on. Emma made me do it:

10. Clym Yeobright from Hardy's Return of the Native. Any man who says these lines I will quote has won me: "Well, whatever I may have thought, one thing is certain--I do love you--past all compass and description. I love you to oppressiveness--I, who have never before felt more than a pleasant passing fancy for any woman I have ever seen. Let me look right into your moonlit face and dwell on every line and curve in it! Only a few hairbreadths make the difference between this face and faces I have seen many times before I knew you; yet what a difference---the difference between everything and nothing at all..."

9. Atticus from To Kill a Mockingbird. I love smart men.

8. Jude from Hardy's Jude the Obscure. He's depressing and he's smart. Great combo. He's the only thing I liked about the book.

7. Pierre from War and Peace by Tolstoy. For some reason when I think of him I think of C.S. Lewis.

6. George Emerson from A Room With a View by E.M. Forster. Cecil, eat your heart out.

5. Gee whiz, I am having a hard time with this. I think Armadale from Collins' Armadale.

4. Roger from Wives and Daughters by Gaskell. Scientist. That's all I have to say.

3. Eugene Wrayburn from Our Mutual Friend by Dickens. He's a barrister, he's lonely, he's bleak. Perfect.

2. Mr. Thornton from North and South by Gaskell. He's dark, he's vain, he's smart, he's decisive.

1. Dr. Fane from The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham. Kitty Fane is an idiot. He gets the more attractive the madder he gets.

That was really difficult, partly because I have a terrible memory and have read too many books. I am sure there are tons I left out but I just can't think. Maybe it is the Sudafed anyway.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

with every blog I visit that is participating in this meme the nerdiness gets more intense...of course I am joking...or am I? don't hate on me cause I'm an idiot please

Dapoppins said...

Hey, Roger is MINE! I think I am going to have to read Hardy now!

Jennifer said...

I could never come up with ten. My goodness!

Is it really bad that my number one literary crush is from a romance novel? It's a big meaty historical romance. Outlander. James Frasier. Sigh.

I've also had some crushes on a couple of Dean Koontz characters. They kick butt. lol

R said...

Dooz--I know, I am sort of a nerd. More like an idiot.

Dapoppins---when I looked at the picture you used on your blog for the first time I thought immediately that you read Hardy but never asked. What gives?

Jennifer--You are so funny! I am sure I could come up with more if I could remember some of the many books I have read. Some I forget like crazy. Makes me mad.

I used to read romance novels in high school. I can't believe my mom let me. She would say, "at least you are reading."

Jacquie said...

girlfriend has read a lot of books

Anonymous said...

Wow, I get totally intimidated when I read something like this. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've never read any of the books you mentioned, and even more embarrassed to admit that I doubt that I ever will. But I have seen To Kill a Mockingbird, the movie. I like Gregory Peck, but not in that way. I'll admit to having a terrible crush on Scout, though...back then, not now.

Avery Gray said...

Agree with the Dr. Fane thing, but I hated the way the story ended. And Mr. Thorton. Good choice. Wish I'd thought of him! (Idiot!!)

I wanted to thank you for your kind words on my blog today. It helps so much to know that there are other parents who have been through similar experiences and are seeing the brighter side of it. We'll get there. ;o) So, thanks again.