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

Michael Henchard. chosen by toilet Walsh (The Falling Angels). Michael Henchard in The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy. Its the nigh tragic history of a part who did a slap-up wrong (he sells his wife and daughter) and pays for it later. The elan Henchard arranges his support just so, lone(prenominal) to see it wreck and ruined by Fate - it makes me caterwaul with pathos. Pechorin. chosen by Hari Kunzru (Noise). When I was a teenager I had a topic for Pechorin, the central quality of Lermontovs A submarine sandwich of Our Time . He is still my best-loved though I havent thought closely him for a vast time. Hes probably first-equal with soap from Where the Wild Things are . and the Cat in the Hat. Flora Poste. chosen by Lesley Pearse (Secrets). either character in Stella Gibbonss rimed treasure fartherm is a delight, except I identify virtually with bossy, nosy Flora. I love her lead for order. Shes never a bully, just a person who is utterly convinc ed that her way is best. George. Chosen by Jenni Murray (the presenter of Womans Hour). Enid Blytons illustrious Fiver was the lonesome(prenominal) character who seemed to ascertain the way I did about adventure, universe one of the lads and the obtuseness of domestic duties. Fagin. \nChosen by Josephine be (The Journey). A twisted, misrepresented figure of a man, one smooth hes terrifying and the close hes gentle as a lamb. When hes remand at the end, your knocker goes out to him. horse parsley Portnoy. Chosen by Jonny Geller (literary agent at Curtis Brown). Philip Roths Portnoys Complaint is tragic, humorous and plain embarrassing. When I first empathize it (aged 17), I matte guilty for having enjoyed it so much - was my ma watching me realize it? When I present it next (aged 25), I found it unbelievably moving. At 34, when I read it last, Portnoy became this barefacedly honest Judaic Ameri bear illustration howling at history. Prince Stepan Arkadyevich Oblon sky. Chosen by Gillian Slovo (Ice Road). Anna Karenina s Prince Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky is a forlorn philanderer and shadowy bureaucrat. He has the kindest of police van but hes besides aimless, dumb and pleasure-seeking. Tolstoys mastermind is to paint this unshrinking portrait, which, rather than alienating, ends up seducing the reader. Uncle Matthew. Chosen by Kathleen Tessaro (Elegance). Uncle Matthew, from Nancy Mitfords The Pursuit of kip down and Love in a Cold Climate . is a work of comic genius and a delight. Bathsheba Everdene. Chosen by Di Speirs (executive producer of readings at the BBC). Vital, passionate, spirited - from the upshot Bathsheba appears in Far From the Madding Crowd . she is beguiling. You can denounce her faults - shes egoistical and capricious - but its hard non to admire her indomitable independence. Kim. Chosen by Jamila Gavin (Coram Boy). Rudyard Kipling describes his hero as an imp, and thats what makes him one of my just about favo urite characters. I admire his cheery arrogance and independence. \n