I’m curious, have you found a character in a book that remind you of yourself?
I’m curious, have you found a character in a book that remind you of yourself?
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I’m curious, have you found a character in a book that remind you of yourself?
Yes.
Interesting question! As for me, I don’t know. What’s your answer?
Charlie Brown.
I don’t know that she reminds me of myself, but Jo in Little Woman is who I wanted to be like.
@Paula Me too!
Jane Hawk
Britt Marie from Britte Marie Was Here.
Yes, many times. But, never exactly of course. That’s what makes reading so great. Identifying with a character
Forrest Gump
I am a character in the play A Raisin in the Sun, does that count?
Jane Eyre
Bella Swan. Not because of the vampire thing but she’s clumsy, a bookworm, shy, a homebody and hates change. Fits me to a T.
I related to her in retrospect…I was like that at that age, in that I fell in love HARD. Those books made me remember all those emotions so vividly. Like Bella, I also married my match (but we waited a lot longer).
Francie Nolan ?
So loving rereading that, Marie!!
Lots of characters that I WANT to be. 🙂
Would have to say Alice from Alice in wonderland mixed with Dorothy from Wizard of Oz, and Nancy from Nancy Drew. Girly yet smart, adventures, and fiercely brave at times even when scared. Also always doing it in style.
Frederic Henry
No but I definitely find family and friends. My mom is grandma in the Janet evanovich books!
@Mary, mine too. She was a fabulous cook and I am so lucky to have many of her recipes. She was there for any one in need. And ready with food to support. I just love those books
@Jean I was referring to the parties at the funerals. My mom would go to every funeral she read about inthe local newspaper and go and say she had so much fun when she came back!???
No, I find characters that remind me of the person I want to be ?
Elphaba in the book Wicked.
Me too
When I was in Junior high, I thought I was like Elizabeth in sweet valley high
I’m Hazel from The Darkest Part of the Forest (Holly Black).
The woman with the bleeding problem who touched Jesus’ cloak- I suffered for years – too afraid to have a hysterectomy- I was in my early 30’s I found the strength to go ahead and have the surgery by imitating this woman’s faith
I wanted to be like Mary the sister of Martha.
@Tricia I didn’t understand this passage until I too was bleeding for years. Suddenly, I understood and I too related with her. I put myself in God’s and after my surgery I felt I had a new life.
Just like cinderella but still wating for my prince at the end ?
I always wanted to be like Jo from Little Women. Just reread the book this summer and discovered I turned into Meg instead! ☺️
Harriet, the Spy– when I was 9.
Me too!!
Olive Kitteridge, probably.
hmmmm fascinating (heard Elizabeth Stout speak 2 years ago — major annual benefit for beloved public library [is on my mind: Tonight version 2018]. She was as mehh a speaker as she ‘seemed’ might be from her book jacket image. But the In Conversation With part made for um complexities still ‘debated’ a bit locally. Good Lesson not to confuse Person-Author with um Product-output/fiction!).
So – I was always very ambivalent about ‘Olive’ as perhaps supposed to be. Found her spouse maybe most interesting/compassionate-inducing character. … But fully Get why he wouldn’t be one Vickie’d be most sympatico!
Oh, yes. Francie Nolan in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I lived in the same area of Brooklyn, loved the Public Library, and had a hard working mother.
I loved that book! I read it when I was a teenager. I think the paperback edition had a yellow rose on the cover.
Loved that book too
Frodo Baggins
I don’t know if I’m actually like her, but I want to be ? Maisie Dobbs from the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear ❤️
Bernadette from where’d You Go Bernadette is my spirit animal. I completely get her point of view. In my late twenties early thirties it was Bridget Jones.
Anne Shirley — though, I think her personality may have fuzed with mine, as I was VERY much like her, and I’m not entirely sure how much was me, and how much of her rubbed off one me! 😀 😀
Janie-Their Eyes Were Watching God
Jessica from Because of Mr. Terupt
Glass castle reminds me of growing up..my parents living situation was very similar…
I am like the love child of Trollope’s Mrs. Proudie and Austen’s Mr. Woodhouse.
Anne of Green Gables.
Not a book but I’m very much like Ally in A Star is Born. She loved Jackson so much she made his problems her own and apologized for things that she had no control over.
Beatrice- Much Ado About Nothing
Unfortunately… Rachael from Girl on the Train
I like her!
Katniss. LOL. jk
Many years ago when I read Looking for Mr. Goodbar I was surprised to see myself in the main character. I was young, thought I had the world at my feet and the novel made me look at myself in a different light. It was unnerving.
I think I kind of match up with Anne in Anne of Green Gables
Maybe the young girl in Member of the wedding
Frodo
Wow, that is tough. In every book I read, I always find myself relating to one particular character.
Yes, “Lije Bailey.”
All the main characters in George Meredith’s THE EGOIST.
“Maskull;” “Voyage to Arcturus.”
In part, Bathsheba Everdene.
“Chip,” in Ira Levin’s “This Perfect Day.”
Boo Radley
I see little bits of myself in lots of characters.
I felt a little like Mma Ramotswe from No. 1 Lady’s Detective Agency when I bought my house.
There’s a scene in Life of Pi where Pi is going through a terrible storm. I can’t remember word for word, but he essentially screams at God, “I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me! Why are you doing this?” I’ve felt that way.
I relate to Claire in Outlander because I also have a calling to medicine and a husband who knows what a man is for (sorry for the reference if you haven’t read the books).
The Shopgirl (by Steve Martin)
Scout
Jody-The Yearling
One of my favorite books
Francie Nolan
Absolutely…there is an Edith Wharton character that I identified so closely with that is was like handing her years of my pain and becoming free of it. The simple fact that there was someone, somewhere that understood was incredible.
Katniss
Jo in my cousin’s book, “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott
Always
Cal in “East of Eden” and PonyBoy in “The Outsiders”
I own that book.
@Rod thought he was dead by now.
Babette
No one that dumb and confused yet
Maybe you haven’t read the right book yet, lol.
Count dracula
what a great question!
This it’s gonna sound weird but in Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore there it’s a little creature that’s more than a little doofy, always getting in trouble, and screams “Need a Cheez!” when hungry…if I’ve never seen myself on a character, then I don’t know.
I don’t know that particular book but I love, love, love Christopher Moore!!
He’s one of my favorite writers, very tongue and cheek, silly, and intelligent. A Dirty Job was my favorite.
Ramona Quimby
Me, too!
Don’t know that I have.
Matilda
Truly…Fanny Price in Mansfield Park. I’m too passive for my own good, and believe fate will eventually be on my side. I wish I were more proactive in my trials, but I’m afraid my crazy Asian side will be unleashed! Lol!
Hermoine
Scarlett O’@Hara
The boy from where the wild things Are. ?
So……you made mischief of one kind…..and another!? Favorite bedtime book to read my daughter!
Hermione Granger.
Jane Eyre,since the 6th grade.
Francie Nolan from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Can’t think of anyone.
Anne Shirley – forever lost in a dream and a book.
It’s easy with these Cali sunsets.
Eeyore ?
They have a new Pooh Bear movie being released.
Ramona Quimby
And Anne Shirley and Emily of New Moon – L.M.Montgomery’s wonderful women!
Bernadette from where’d you go Bernadette. Or mrs Durrell from My Family and other animals
Trixie Beldon??
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Nope. Still looking tho.
Pippi Longstocking
She’s been my hero since I was about 9!
Molly Lou Melon – I stuck by my convictions when it wasn’t popular, but MLM is more fabulous, but I aspire to be her one day.
Ann Veronica
Hermione Granger
Annie Wilkes
Patrick Bateman
Gregor Clegane (The Mountain)
… just kidding, couldn’t resist!
Duncan Idaho of Dune
Stephanie Plum
Holly Gibney from the Mr. Mercedes series
When I was growing up it was Jo in Little Women. More recently it seems like I have character similarities but not the whole identity.
A minor character, and nearly a murder victim, in a PD James novel!
Totally aspirational but Gandalf
Kinsey Milhone
Me too!
Great question! Hmmm Alice in Wonderland maybe?
@Patty are you the Queen oh Hearts? ?♥️?
Marianne Dashwood. I don’t know if that’s a good thing.
Jim in Huckleberry Finn?
Sometimes Huckleberry Finn himself.
Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. Absolutely! ? ?
I’d be Atticus.
@Charla me too!
@Charla I’m also a Scout for sure. Always have been.
Also, of course, Jo in Little Women!
And Fern in Charlotte’s Web.
Alice in Wonderland
Rollergirl
Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Anne Shirley. When I was little I had freckles and thought they were the worse. But she had them too.
Ramona Quimby – all day every day for my entire life
Catherine Moreland in Northanger Abbey. My imagination runs wild like hers. I’m too trusting. I believe the best in people. I’m gullible. And I read lots of novels!!
When I was a kid: Alexander from Alexander’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. I definitely had times I wanted to move to Australia.
Morag Gunn in The Deviners
Lucrezia Floriani (novel by the same name) by George Sand
Laura ingalls
Jo March.
Francie Nolan from A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. Not because of geography or socioeconomic status but more in that book loving, raised on the Bible and Shakespeare way.
Scout Finch
Alice in Wonderland
@Joan my all time favourite book.
@Peggy I love it! It really shows the roller coaster of life. Thanks for sharing. Read anything good lately??
Anne Shirley, Jane Eyre
All the time! One of the biggest reasons I read. Seeing my little life against the backdrop of so many other lives. Reading novels helps me put my life in perspective. So grateful for books ♥️
I’m not anything like Harry Potter but I pretended that I could do everything he could do, breathe under water, fly, be invisible…all of it
I’ll take the 5th
I hope I grow up to be Miss Jane Marple.
Not exactly…..but I sure wouldn’t mind being Claire Fraser!!!
@Amanda oh, um, yeah – where is that stone? I will touch that one.
Claire Fraser ? She’s who I’d want to be!
YES!
Good question
Many times, parts of me.
I was Nancy Drew when young
Absolutely
Claire Fraser!
I wish I was like Claire Fraser but alas I am not.
@Jenny, a lot of times I feel more like Bridget Jones(a hot mess).
Djana Boyd hadn’t thought about but I am probably more like Bridget Jones than Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser?
Elizabeth Bennett!
Anne Shirley when younger; Karigan G’ladheon now
Sometimes I feel like Bertie Wooster.
Any female character from the christine feehan books because they give their men trouble,attitude n are quite mischievous n I’m mischievous in nature
Many many times!
Parts of, but not completely.
Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird-always in grown folks business! ?
Not so much who I might be but more who I want to be!
Meg Murray
No. Never.
Dear women,
We need to write believable women. Characters that are real, that are true, that have dreams, that get crushed, that find a way a way to survive, that are us.
I’ll work on it…
I love you strong women… let’s do this together.
Signed,
Colleen
@Colleen WWF?
Just joking…
Lucky Santangelo from Chances. Jackie Collins. At least I wanted to grow up to be her . Lol
@Pamela wow! I remember reading that one
That’s a really good question. I have never thought about it.
The very literal minded Amelia Bedelia. ?
Fleur Pillager from Louise Erdrich’s book, Tracks.
Sometimes I feel like Jekyll, sometimes like Hyde.
We all probably are —- to a degree. ??
So: a leftover from 31Oct musing?! xxxxox
The mom in The Deep End of the Ocean
It was a rough time for me and I remember thinking “this describes exactly how I feel”
I hope things are better for you now.
@Dee thank you it was a long time ago
I am so sorry. Hugs. That book was difficult, even for someone who hasn’t had to experience anything similar.
Jo March.
Anne of Green gables
I’m Lizzy from Pride & Prejudice…. LOL 🙂
As a young girl, I always identified with Jane Eyre.
Hermione
My autobiography was crazily similar! Blew my mind!
Horse Badorties – The Fan Man
Bridget Jones
@Sara I love Bridget. I don’t know if there is a single character out there who is as real and relatable as dear Bridget.
As a kid, Scout Finch.
@Ann Me too!
Scout ?
@Chris Me too!
@Chris
Ha! Too funny!
Sybil???
Shopaholic! ?
James Herriot
Kinsey Milhone
*chants* Jo March
I’m a mixture of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.
Renee in The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Cross between Jane and Kathy somewhere on the moors!
Yes, but never mind.
Jo March and Anne of GG.
I have a little bit of me in all of my characters
I recently re-read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, & found a similarity-though I doubt it came from the book as it’s been many years since I read it. The idea of the tree, never dying, always coming back perhaps in a different spot. Back in the mid-80s &early 90s when my parents died, I started thinking about elderly or ill , who just don’t make it through to the upcoming spring. (Both died in the month of March.) It made me think of the years we all make it the tough winter, or the tough life & I thought of dandelions. They are hardy & come back every year despite all the weed killer that goes on the yards.They have become my symbol for making it through another year. Of course people think I’m nuts, but that’s okay. I’m old enough to be eccentric.
@Sharon I am nuts with you. Mine is doves.
Yes
The girl from So You Want To be a Wizard from @Diane shes fleeing some bullys and runs into a library to get away from them.
Kwabena Masaudo Ntow I was bullied because I cared more about books than boys and clothes
Kwabena Masaudo Ntow HUH? Never mind I took a guess at what you meant with your post and your reply makes no sense.
@Karina I hate bullies. I hope you are now past the age when they cam still bother you. And smart choice for the books over clothes and boys. ?
Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird and Jo March in Little Women. Lots of admired characters, though.
Abby in Anne Tyler’s A Spool of Blue Thread.
Anne of Green Gables
I see many people recommended Snow Falling on Cedars. I googled it but there ar four different authors. Which one do you recommend?
Dave Guterson was the author I read
Lily in the secret life of bees
Jo, Little Women
My sister and her friend read a book where the mother of the family reminded both of them of me. I didn’t like that character. ?
Ha! Once I told someone that I saw myself in Anne Tyler’s characters and she patted my back in sympathy.
Jane Eyre
Brian Aspinwall, the narrator in The Rector of Justin by Louis Auchencloss.
Jo in Little Women
Nope.
Yes.
As shown on one of the segments much of what we read is a search for self and personal identity.
I would say it was definitely Jo in Little Women with some Meg thrown in.
Anne Shirley when I was young, and then Lily Barth from House of Mirth at one time. (Probably not now…)
I can definitely relate to Elizabeth Bennet. But, there is some Nancy Drew, too.
Yes, I was Nancy Drew…
Anne Shirley
Scout.
@Florencia Me too!
Grassina in The Salamander Spell.
Jo
Jesse from Bridge to Terabithia
Scarlett O’Hara
Thumper
Scarlett O’Hara, Larry Underwood.
Not yet.
Kay Driscoll
Anne of Green Gables.
Kinsey Milhone from Sue Grafton’s series.
Cherry Ames student nurse, Jo March
Quick look-through: maybe understandable many are from our Youthful Reads? —when we Identified most fully/engagingly/imaginatively, not reading for purpose [like discussion with other adults in-person/online] but for the fly-away joy. The gobblin up / can’t put down/ o why do I have to go eat … no reading allowed at dinner table … reading under covers with flashlight … can’t stop reading but ‘Terrified’ of being Done without something as entrancing to be next … .
Jo March and elizabeth Bennet.
When I was a kid, Ramona Quimby. As I got older, Anne Shirley.
Some days it’s the three faces of Eve!
I have some students that are Junie B. Jones, does that count? ?
I thought it was Junie B Jones?
Dang autocorrect. I’ll fix, lol.
@Meredith Junie B. Jones and her shenanigans – gotta love her!
The children that I read to when I volunteer are big fans of this series – they’re so fun to read aloud!
They’re hilarious!! When I taught first grade there were many Junie Bs!
No, but a friend found an illustration in a book that looks just like me.
Jem Finch: To Kill A Mockingbird
Yes Jack Reacher!
Lol
Not really.
Never really found a character that I completely related to. I mean how many know it all computer nerd book worms are there in modern novels? LOL
Jo in Little Women
Catherine Earnshaw
Jack Ryan and James Bond. (Kidding, I am)
I’m a book worm, and I love to study and take tests just like Hermione in the Harry Potter series.
Jo in Little Woman.
Felix from “Armor.”
Me too, all the Little Women, especially Jo. I love the finer things in life like Meg, I am an aspiring writer and book lover and have trouble controlling my temper like Jo, I am sometimes a little shy like Beth, and probably a little spoiled and petted like Amy. Love this book!
OK I have to give a second answer here too. As a child I looked like Scout Finch, had the bowl haircut, was a little bit of a tomboy, probably an outspoken mouthy kid too.
Yes, probably still like Jo March, love books, love to read.
Kristen of Kristenlavresdatter (trilogy). LOVED that many years ago when I read it. Who else has read it?
@Dayle It is in my top ten! ?
Wonderful!! I don’t know anyone else who has read it. Quite an undertaking — took me a long time to finish.
@Dayle First married (58 years ago) and no children I spent a summer reading this engrossing historical novel.
@Dayle great books! Loved them!
Oh I did once. I think her name was Joanna. I went to a presentation by the author. She discussed the main characters in the book. When it came to Joanna, she laughed and made a derogatory comment about that character. Oh well!
Yes. Tom Wingo in The Prince of Tides.
I loved Prince of Tides as well as his other novels.
@Peggy , as did I. He had such a way with language. I would read some sentences and paragraphs repeatedly because of how beautifully they were written.
Jane Eyre, a reader, a believer in her own worth, a strong person, a survivor.
No, but I found one that reminded me of my bff.
Margaret Fell from Jan de Hartog’s Peaceable Kingdom. Strong-willed and stubborn, curious, another “Champion of the Underdog.” Like me.
Haha, Ruth in the Louise Penney novels!
Are you drunk, senile, or just eccentric? Penny can’t seem to decide.
@Patty Ruth is my favorite!!!
@Patty Talent, spirited and a tender woman! Good for you
@Patty I wanna be your friend! I’m Clara Morrow ?
@Cindy she’s great.
Lots of them!!
Jo Marsh in Little Women
@Susan March
Some that I wish I was like….Aurora Greenway in Terms of Endearment comes to mind.
Aurora is my Favorite! The one I’m most like is probably Miss Marple.
Sure. I related to Meg Murray as a kid. As an adult and mother I’m more of a Molly Weasley. ♥️
Francie Nolan from “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”. We shared a passion for reading from a young age and the books we read had such an affect on us
Kinsey Milhone. I loved her level headedness and her simple lifestyle. The fact the was totally independent influenced me a great deal a a young woman.
Nick Caraway, his witty observations are more then likely after the fact, as in he comes up with the perfect comeback to someone or some situation after taking a few days to think about it. No matter how, he may get carried away he sees people clearly and longs for something beyond himself.
@Kim My answer as well! ?
Jack Torrance in The Shining
Anne Shirley
Not nYet. Which is a good thing!!
Frances in ‘A Tree Grows in Brookline ‘.
Harriet the Spy. LOL!
Scarlett O’Hara
Francie Nolan, but wish I was more like her aunt Sissy?
Scout
@Jill me too!
Jonathan Pine, “The Night Manager.” Vivaldo, “Another Country.”
Eustacia Vye……Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy.
Yes! Kinsey Milhone from Sue Grafton’s alphabet series. Introvert, extremely independent, sassy, doesn’t have much luck in the “men department”. She is a sensitive person when the occasion calls for it and doesn’t take “shit” from anyone. She enjoys the simple things in life like reading, excerising and has an extreme love of food.
@Keri me too. Kinsey is me. I am her
Weird isn’t it? Almost like Sue knew us! Lol!
@Keri I did meet her twice ?
@Barbara Really? Jealous! I heard she is super nice!
@Keri
She was very nice. I’ve been a bookseller/ store mgr for 38 years. She was one of the nicest authors I’ve met. She had a beautiful smile!
Lucy I from the Chronicle s of Narnia
Captain Ahab
Loved Kinsey Milhone series…will miss her.
@Katherine same here!
Jo March from Little Women
Kwabena Masaudo Ntow It’s ok…no problem. I think we should all just stick to discussing books
Kwabena Masaudo Ntow no that’s not what I meant…you said sorry..i said ok. I don’t add people I don’t know.
THIS GUYS A Creeper!!!!!!!! Be careful. @Barbara
@Keri I just blocked…you never know if someone is just lonely or a jerk. thanks for heads up
@Barbara Welcome!
@Barbara I got that same reply from the same person.
@Carol apparently a lot of women did. I tried to be nice but was forced to report and block.
I had this happen once before, not this same person, and , like you, I responded kindly but negatively. Didn’t stop him, so I also reported and blocked…now I don’t engage at all. It’s a shame some people try to tarnish something special.
I find myself in every book I read…not as any whole character, but in a feeling, expression or comment…male or female, old or young.
Scout – “To Kill a Mockingbird”
@Carole Me, too!!
Lucy Chronicles of Narnia
This post has had me super thoughtful for a full 24 hours. Still not coming up with a character but I’ve enjoyed thinking about what aspects of myself I’ve seen in some of my favorite characters. Thanks for the introspection prompt!
Truth be told many many but Lucy was first?
@Ginny Jo March was the first character with whom I identified.
@Cheryl Love her too!
Me too
Luna Lovegood (l’ve often been referred to as ‘quirky’) from Harry Potter and Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables.
Hermione Granger.
Scout
@Kimberly Me too!
I can’t think of any
Huck Finn.
Yes, but too personal and revealing to tell. A recent book too!
Not me personally! I have noticed characters who remind me of people I know or have known.
Yes. When I was a kid, I saw myself as Nancy Drew, and my two friends as Nancy’s sidekicks Beth and
@Nancy George!
Anne Shirley
Yes and he was not a very nice person.
Great question. Will give it thought ?
Dennis’s daughter, the narrator of Charming Billy but I only wish I was that eloquent, her feelings and family are mine.
Winnie introduced me to pushing back against racism.
When i was a kid, Harriet the Spy.
Me, too (no #).
Me too!!
@Logan Excellent!
Mom ALWAYS told me how like Scout Finch I was as a child. I’d like to think so. Favorite book!
Kit in The Witch of Blackbird Pond…
As a child, I wanted to be Nancy Drew.
Not too sure about reminding me of myself, but I know there are certain characters that I am drawn to, and some that turn me off. example, I can not stand whiners, or anyone who even hints at a lack of a sense of humor. I have seen characters that remind me of my children
Francie Nolan, without a doubt. Milo, from The Phantom Tollbooth. Jo March, the older I get.
Ignatius J. Reilly from Confederacy of Dunces ?
Great Caesar’s Ghost! I hope not!
My first choice was, rightly, Alice in Wonderland, but my second choice would have to be Arthur Less in Less by Andrew Sean Greer.
@Patricia i get Arthur too.
Lily in To The Lighthouse (Virginia Woolf); and, of course, Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. And, in my younger days, Nancy Drew!
Nancy Drew for sure!
@Carole I used to love the Dana Girls as well
I used to have almost all of the Nancy Drew series, and I had a lot of the Dana Girls as well. What a blast from the past.
I loved those books
The grinch
Yes. Bridget Jones all the way. I am Bridget Jones
No. I guess there’s no one like me. Or I’m not interesting enough to be a character 🙂
Probably the “ no one like me” option
Me too! We’re to complex?
@Ginny I would suspect that you are an original! Why don’t you write a book about YOU?!?
Marmee (I hope)
Scarlet O’Hara
@Cheryl she was a strong woman.
I believed I was Nancy Drew.
Jane Eyre, from the time I was 10 or 11.
I find a little of myself in all books I read. Just the humanity in a character whether it’s a villain or hero.
@Mary hear hear!!
Waverly in ‘The Joy Luck Club’ (when I was young)
Kinsey Milholme (sp)
Definitely Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Sometimes Jo March in Little Women.
Anne Elliot and Elinor dashwood
Jo March
In some respects, Philip Roth’s character, “Coleman Silk.” In other respects, the protagonist in a tale by Gabriel Garcia Marquez; said unnamed protagonist being the son of “Florina de Dios Cargamantos.” Other times, as stiff as Isaac Asimov’s “Andrew Harlan” yet as human as his “Lije Bailey” (?).