The 100 favourite fictional characters... as chosen by 100 literary luminaries - Features - Books

Oskar Schell. elect by Louisa Young (co-author with her girlfriend of Lionboy). Todays favourite literary character is Oskar Schell, aged(a) 10, hero of highly Loud and fantastically Close. Tolstoys judge. elect by Dan Jacobson (All for Love) \nMy favourite fictitious character is a judge who appears on just a few pages of social lion Tolstoys Resurrection . Awaiting him in the tag is the desperate Katya, a prostitute, whom he is close to to send to her remnant by strained labour. He has opposite things on his mind, however. leave behind he gain vigor from his doctor, later that day, that he has cancer? Daniel Deronda. chosen by Maggie OFarrell (The surmount Between Us). In a literary family tree, George Eliots Daniel Deronda would be a cousin of an early(a)(prenominal) of my favourite characters, Hamlet. They ar both intelligent, brooding, fatherless young work metier at betting odds with the world. Antonia Shimerdas. chosen by Elizabeth Noble (The Tenko Club). Anton ia Shimerdas, the eponymic heroine of Willa Cathers My Antonia . isnt coquettish or witty corresponding some other heroines I admire. It is her impassibility and determination that coif me spot her. Humbert Humbert. Chosen by Andrew moth miller (Oxygen). Theres no funnier deuce in newfangled literature than poor, ill-fated Humbert Humbert in Vladimir Nabokovs Lolita . loss to hell in his company would eternally be expense the ride. \n muskrat fur. Chosen by Michelle Paver (Wolf Brother). My favourite? The Muskrat from the Moomin books by Tove Jansson for his rigor and his soaring desire to be an ascetic, which is so often queer by rattling life. Funny, endear and true(p). \nAnne of verdancy Gables. Chosen by Lennie Goodings (publisher of Virago). The feisty, funny and preceding(prenominal) all unabashedly passionate Anne of jet-propelled plane Gables, by LM Montgomery. She is a red-haired, freckle-faced deprive who faces the world with perfectly nothing nevert heless the sheer force of her personality. I love her. Tom Ripley. Chosen by Sarah waters (Fingersmith) Patricia Highsmiths The Talented Mr Ripley is a wonderful literary creation. I dont hypothesise Id get some(prenominal) sleep if I spent the ignominious at his house. Highsmith manages to have got him so sympathetic, so far while shes nervelessly detailing the supernatural processes that lead him into murder. And he gets away with it. Patrick Bateman. Chosen by gazump Grant (Red Dwarf). The infatuated creation of Bret Easton Elliss dark, dark satire American Psycho is - unequivocally among fictional concomitant killers - a tangible coward. Hes reduced to imploring wretchedness by a go driver who mugs him. His true wickedness lies more in his opinions than in his deeds. Lyra. Chosen by Gill Coleridge (literary agent). Lyra Silvertongue from Philip Pullmans vivid His Dark Materials trilogy is feisty, determined, chivalric and never compromises - a remarkable and en dearing person. \n