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Comments
StoicIndian87 t1_itz5wlj wrote
A Suitable Boy and American Tabloid for me.
hedley1983 t1_itz6uo4 wrote
East of Eden by Steinbeck.
concrete_dandelion t1_itz79mg wrote
I like the way Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë and Kerstin Gier write their characters. LOTR is also a favourite of mine and I like the Hobbit very much and the Commisario Montalbanno series
i-opener t1_itz7cps wrote
Biff and Josh from "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal".
At least some of us know what to expect from Josh, being that he's Christ and all, but even that was subverted quite a bit. Biff came out of left field for me and the interplay between the two - chef's kiss! Natural?, check! Genuine?, double check! Well-written?? Triple check!!
I wouldn't consider myself a Christian but this book is in my top 5 simply for the impact, carried almost entirely by Biff.
BoshraExists t1_itz7rof wrote
My all time favourite author in term of well-written characters has to be Carlos Zafon and his glorious piece of a series "Cemetery of Forgotten Books".
The 4 novels are set in different decades and tell an interlocking story/stories that had me crying here and bursting a laugh there!
Not only are the well-depicted, but the characters also have back stories and their counterparts and/or enemies do too!
anddingowashisnameoh t1_itz7wrg wrote
Thanks for the new book recommendation! Those paperback versions must be quite rare, they're pretty pricey.
_ellogovna t1_itz8bqk wrote
Six of Crows- the characters are kind of messed up but are really well written. They have great character development, personalities, backstories (not just like oh my parents died so now I’m bitter but actually how these stories affect them currently)
Wuthering Heights- again the characters are really messed up but that’s kinda of the fun of it
Of Mice and Men- really really good book it’s also super short
Normal people- personally I didn’t like the book too much but the characters were interesting.
Circe
Animal Farm- based on figures from the Russian Revolution it’s short and has great characters. Story is kinda boring tho.
The Cruel Prince- it’s Ya but it’s good. The characters are kinda different from your usual ya. (Dumb Fae Prince, messed in the head mortal girl (but not like the really feisty annoying ya characters))
External_Grab9254 t1_itz8dj0 wrote
Perks of Being a Wallflower. It feels too real
Mystical_y t1_itz9n37 wrote
In classics, you should try {{The Picture of Dorian Gray}}. Very strong, fascinating characterization. Another (entirely different) book in this genre is Little Women, which is lovely. Try {{The Kite Runner}} by Khaled Hosseini if you're into drama/ historical/tragedy. It's beautiful.
In the thriller genre, I recommend {{And then there were None}} by Agatha Christie. Exciting all the way through.
As a bonus, I recommend reading Harry Potter :D yes, the first three books may be more children-esque, but they're still very enjoyable. Fun characters, wild story, great experience.
babobunny OP t1_itz9nnh wrote
I've read of mice and men by steinbeck and liked it, so will definitely check this out! Thanks :)
babobunny OP t1_itz9rwg wrote
Sounds intriguing! I'll look it up, thanks! :)
juliaaargh t1_itza6rq wrote
the Master and Commander series by Patrick O'Brian.
SuccotashCareless934 t1_itza7st wrote
Favourite characters include:
Kambili in Purple Hibiscus; Bahram/Barry in River of Smoke; George in Of Mice and Men; Kitty in the Crazy Rich Asians series
SuccotashCareless934 t1_itzab4b wrote
Yes to The Kite Runner! For characterisation, I'd say Mariam in A Thousand Splendid Suns is my favourite of his.
SuccotashCareless934 t1_itzaemr wrote
Just finished Wuthering Heights today - Cathy (the elder) and Hareton are my faves. I also sympathise with Edgar and Isabella and the mess that they found themselves dragged into!
_ellogovna t1_itzas5z wrote
I’m only half way through but the characters were such a shock to me because I thought this was a love story like Pride and Prejudice or something! I’m loving it so far and def like it better than Pride and Prejudice lol
babobunny OP t1_itzbhr5 wrote
I'll look into it, thanks!
babobunny OP t1_itzbls2 wrote
Thanks for your recommendations, both authors sound interesting!
babobunny OP t1_itzbpuq wrote
Ugh that sounds perfect! Thank you for the recommendation!! 😍
babobunny OP t1_itzbvnq wrote
Yeah, I've read a few of them and like them! But I'll check out Commisario Montalbanno, I'd never heard of it before.
SuccotashCareless934 t1_itzc16p wrote
It's love but a different kind! I'm actually teaching Wuthering Heights to a class of 13-14 year olds, and they're finally getting into it (chapter 9 was the turning point)!
Confession: I've tried to read Pride and Prejudice at least 3 times now, but just cannot get along with it (and I'm an English teacher!) Might give Persuasion a go.
dangei t1_itzc48q wrote
Loved this book.
Mystical_y t1_itzc861 wrote
A Thousand Splendid Suns is heartbreaking :<
babobunny OP t1_itzccy5 wrote
Great suggestions!! I agree with you on Of Mice and Men and Animal Farm, which are both great. I personally didn't like Wuthering heights so much but I agree that it wasn't the character writing’s fault.
babobunny OP t1_itzcfpp wrote
Would you say it's worth reading after having watched the movie? Thanks anyway!
BoshraExists t1_itzcnwa wrote
It's one of my favourite goth-inspired reads I hope you enjoy it as well!
External_Grab9254 t1_itzcnzc wrote
Absolutely
little_carmine_ t1_itzcq6i wrote
{{The Heart is a Lonely Hunter}}
babobunny OP t1_itzcxg4 wrote
Gotta love your book taste: I've read all of them! I mean Agatha Christie books are just great comfort books for me at this point and the same goes for Harry Potter 😍
Mystical_y t1_itzd2x8 wrote
Oh awesome! Well, in that case, I'm obligated to recommend something else, aren't I :D
SuccotashCareless934 t1_itzde4z wrote
I know 😭 I've yet to read 'And The Mountains Echoed' - it's on my bookshelf so it may be my next read (just starting The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende now).
babobunny OP t1_itzdh03 wrote
I quite agree haha or share you want to read list, maybe I can get inspired!
_ellogovna t1_itzdjfa wrote
I’m around your class’ age and I can say it’s a book that won’t appeal to most teenagers so I’m really glad they are starting to like it! I wish we did it as a novel study this year but my English teacher is the stuff of nightmares so I’m too scared ask her lol!
Mystical_y t1_itzdsj9 wrote
'And the Mountains Echoed' is quite nice too. But the other two books of his are just better, imo. I haven't read the Japanese Lover. Got so much to read :D
SuccotashCareless934 t1_itze1z4 wrote
Now they're understanding the drama of it, they're a lot more into it - they actually asked to continue reading the other day, but it was the end of the lesson so I had to send them off! Kudos to you for reading it independently - don't think I'd have been able to hack it as a teenager! Had to come back to some books as an adult that I just didn't 'get' as a teen (The Handmaid's Tale springs to mind).
Mystical_y t1_itze5sz wrote
there's so much to share :< have you read Anne of Green Gables? Sweet, sweet book.
babobunny OP t1_itzeflf wrote
Maybe as a kid, might have had like an audiobook of it, can't really remember it though. I'll have to give it a try again :)
Mystical_y t1_itzengg wrote
Ahh. It's one of those wholesome stories that leave a very nice after-feel. Do try:)
Mmm. The Diary of Anne Frank?
babobunny OP t1_itzerd5 wrote
Read! :D
Mystical_y t1_itzexin wrote
How about 1984 by George Orwell?
babobunny OP t1_itzfcfc wrote
That too, I had an intense classics period haha
Mystical_y t1_itzfhy5 wrote
(pants) Tess of the D'urbervilles.
babobunny OP t1_itzfqo9 wrote
Never even heard of! Exciting :D thanks for the enormous effort!!
_ellogovna t1_itzg2li wrote
That’s so good to hear!! Thanks for the compliment btw!!
Mystical_y t1_itzg5or wrote
I'm having great fun :D Tess is a heavy read, and personally the bleak landscape of the book got a bit too much for me. But many like it, so.
Fun travels in your reading journey! (Bonus: I love Roald Dahl's short story collection, Tales of the Unexpected)
Secret_Walrus7390 t1_itzgnju wrote
I'm three quarters of the way through this right now and have loved every second of it.
InfamousPrimate22 t1_itzgnzk wrote
May be you should talk to someone by Lori Gottlieb. The character arc is so pure.. it's like a good train ride with all the characters stuffed in a compartment and you get to watch them change infront of you
babobunny OP t1_itzhawo wrote
Me too!! Add Fabienne66 on Goodreads if you have it and want to :)
th3BlackAngel t1_itzher2 wrote
ASoIAF (the Game of Thrones books). So many great characters there to be honest.
Mystical_y t1_itzhp89 wrote
Mystical_y t1_itzi63m wrote
How to find you tho
babobunny OP t1_itzitl7 wrote
Goodreads.com/fabienne66 :)
QueenAnguissette t1_itzizxj wrote
One of my favorites! Haven't seen it recommended before. Loved rooting for the bad guys <3
Ordinary_Vegetable25 t1_itzjno1 wrote
Mitch Rapp! Start with {{American Assassin}} by Vince Flynn.
Also James Reece in Jack Carr's Terminal List series (TV adaptation on Amazon Prime starring Chris Pratt as James Reece)
L_Nathaniel_Adams t1_itzkg7a wrote
Robin Hobbs' Realm of the Elderlings.
cookiequeen724 t1_itzknhr wrote
Last year I read a Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and I'm still thinking about Count Rostov like he's my old friend! Highly recommend the book.
TownSquareMeditator t1_itzlf5z wrote
{{The remains of the day}}
KayMacleodBooks t1_itzli52 wrote
The Shadows of the Apt series by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Every character has great motives and you empathise with every side of the conflict.
Live_Tax7209 t1_itzmeub wrote
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. Some of the most well thought out and well defined personalities and characteristics.
jackandjerry t1_itzmnc0 wrote
All Christopher Moore books have fun characters! Great rec.
Youre_a_tomato t1_itzmscw wrote
Charles Dickens, for me, writes the most interesting and unique characters. They all have their own distinctive and consistent voice and idiosyncrasies.
He really must have roamed London and talked to everybody. From nobles and paupers, children and ecclesiastical figures, country-folk to criminals, Dickens gives them all distinctive features and mannerisms.
jackandjerry t1_itzn2ot wrote
Haruki Murakami - Wind Up Bird Chronicle of
preterintenzionato t1_itzoq4i wrote
I mean, as far as nuanced, well written character go, Lolita by Nabokov is a masterpiece
Traditional_Jicama26 t1_itzpyxl wrote
Robin Hobbs is the one fantasy writer where I am like, READ THIS NERDS, everyone ignores because the paperback is boring, and then someone reads it and is like, “This is incredible!”, while I stare at them angrily.
waywardautumn t1_itzq3g9 wrote
You should try The forsyte saga by John galsworthy Also, age of innocence by edith wharton if you haven't read it already
Traditional_Jicama26 t1_itzq5mb wrote
Also, was gonna put Discworld. Read the Watch saga, the books in are life changing.
Aulkens t1_itzsidp wrote
Her character work is just phenomenal!
Insanity_Crab t1_itzss9a wrote
Came looking for this, she really builds her characters up, makes you love them, gets you invested in there lives then makes you watch as she rips them apart piece by piece slowly destroying them and everything they love.
She's a 10/10 for me, Also love some Joe Abbercombie if you haven't tried his stuff.
Insanity_Crab t1_itzt8uq wrote
Her books are incredible, I've never loved watching a person struggle as much as I did in the Farseer, Tawny Man and Fitz and the Fool trilogies. She pulls no punches with her characters.
Redneckshinobi t1_itztr6a wrote
Currently reading grapes of wrath by Steinbeck and wow his characters are so unique. I can't say I like many of them, but can understand their issues.
showturtle t1_itzuh27 wrote
How has nobody mentioned Victor Hugo? His books are practically 400+ page character developments. His characters ARE the plot.
nautilator44 t1_itzupvj wrote
Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. One of the main characters (Kaladin) struggles with depression throughout the series. Some of the passages and interactions are just beautiful.
MissyBee63 t1_itzuw3v wrote
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane, while the movie was great (Oscars for Penn and Robbins) the characters just come to life and his imagery his amazing.
showturtle t1_itzux3s wrote
Steinbeck’s characters are outstanding. GOW is amazing as well. Tortilla Flats has some lovable idiots. Travels with Charlie is some great lite reading if you just want to relax and listen to him describe people.
glossotekton t1_itzv2cf wrote
Anything Henry James touched
The__Imp t1_itzveck wrote
Of mice and men is a great book, and you do come to appreciate Lenny and George, but my take on it is that the for the entire book, essentially every choice is narrowly tailored for the emotional impact of the ending.
Both of Steinbecks other most popular works, East of Eden and The Grapes of Wrath are much, much grander in scale. I think East of Eden was a great pick based on your criteria because the book is all about the characters, and there are many as the book spans a generation.
The Grapes of Wrath is exceptional too, his depression era novel. Over the course of the book you alternate between these generalized depiction of these okies heading west and the ongoing tale of the Joads, a down on their luck family fleeing the dust bowl.
CryptoCentric t1_itzvhts wrote
Sam Vimes in the Discworld series. All his other characters are terrific, of course, but Vimes really stands out for all the slow and steady development--from a drunken racist to a solid and caring man.
cloudwalker0909 t1_itzvr7g wrote
My favourite characters are those of Dostoyevsky. Raskolnikov from crime and punishment is one of my favourite protagonists, as is the underground man from notes from the underground.
porky63 t1_itzwopk wrote
>essentially every choice essentially is narrowly tailored for the emotional impact of the ending
I can't tell if this is supposed to be a criticism, because the phrasing sounds like one but the content is extremely positive.
showturtle t1_itzwsjp wrote
This is my go-to when I don’t know what to read. I love JA and SM- although, I think the books are more story driven than character driven. Over the course of 20+ novels spanning roughly 30 in-story years, there is very little arc to their characters; they are pretty fixed as people within the first few books. It makes sense- POB was a historian and probably more focused on events than people - he initially invented the characters as a vehicle to describe naval life during the Nepolianic wars. The entire climax of the first book (first battle of Algeciras) takes place with the main characters watching from captivity.
showturtle t1_itzy14t wrote
Dickens is phenomenal. Tale of Two Cities is his best- Carton’s character arc is great.
Edit: I should clarify that what makes Carter’s arc great is that there really is no arc. He is essentially a shitty/unloveable person the entire book and then rises to a single heroic occasion - similar to inspector Javert in LM. I think sometimes seeing a character act entirely out of their nature can be just as satisfying as watching them develop over the entire course of a story- maybe it’s even more satisfying when it’s done right.
BuckedMallard t1_itzyxlc wrote
Lonesome Dove. Gus and Woodrow are two of the deepest characters I’ve seen in a book and their dialogue with each other feels so real
ElectronicShoes t1_itzz9n3 wrote
Sea of Tranquility and Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel.
MortarMaggot275 t1_itzzf2p wrote
Glokta in The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie.
[deleted] t1_itzzpn9 wrote
[deleted]
Almostasleeprightnow t1_iu00urz wrote
Though, I think they do evolve subtly, which is what is so great about it. You can see their core personalities are the samr, but certain things change over the time period, in their interests, the way they work with people and the way they think about their families. And to me, that is how people actually change.
thetravelingsong t1_iu01muj wrote
jettison_m t1_iu03082 wrote
Picture of Dorian Gray is one of my all time favorite books. It's the only book I've read multiple times.
shi-rakansu t1_iu03a5c wrote
Sula by Toni Morrison.
Judas_priest_is_life t1_iu052i9 wrote
Joe Abercrombie does a pretty decent job with his characters. After I finished the first trilogy I found myself thinking "Man I'd love to have a whole book set about a year after to see what everyone is up to".
Mystical_y t1_iu052ls wrote
It IS a good book.
Forsaken-Ad3663 t1_iu056yg wrote
Disc world series by Terry pratchette
TechnicalProposal705 t1_iu05je5 wrote
Sounds interesting thanks 👍
slowrisy t1_iu06phe wrote
Yes! I liked the movie, but for characterization specifically you will get so much more from the book. Charlie’s voice is so real and informs so many of his actions in a way that the movie couldn’t reach. It’s beautiful.
i-opener t1_iu08bc2 wrote
If it's your first time reading it, I envy you. :)
bookreader018 t1_iu098t2 wrote
I’m going to throw The Help and Kindred out there
purple_lassy t1_iu09oog wrote
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
I feel like her characters are close friends. She is the best.
babobunny OP t1_iu0afwc wrote
I did read station eleven and loved it, it really stuck with me (even after 4 years now)! So I'll give sea of tranquility a try, thanks :)
MaximusJCat t1_iu0akc4 wrote
Two of my favorites:
Horns by Joe Hill
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
babobunny OP t1_iu0arjm wrote
That one's already on my to read list haha but good to know it fulfills this criteria too, thanks! 😍
AmeliaReid28 t1_iu0b3kv wrote
Also by Khaled Hosseini, "A Thousand Splendid Suns" such a moving story.
tesscole4922 t1_iu0b5ej wrote
Books written by Kathleen O'Neal and Michael Gear. Lucia Robson, Bonnye Mathews, Gene Brown, to name a few.
happy-cosmos t1_iu0b829 wrote
One of my favorites is "Blink of an Eye" by Ted Dekker. Great story, wonderful characters, life changing lessons. When I first read the book, it was called "Blink" but was changed some time later. Its the same book but may show up in either version when you search.
babobunny OP t1_iu0bgnh wrote
Let me know if i can add you instead :)
showturtle t1_iu0bk2f wrote
That’s true. I do always enjoy the moments when JA is back home and trying to manage life as a husband/father.
ruzgardiken t1_iu0btcu wrote
the first law trilogy. Joe Abercrombie is a master at good character work
Mystical_y t1_iu0c7p8 wrote
Yess, my username is Emma
silverpenelope t1_iu0cikd wrote
Have you read Jane Austen? Dorothy Sayers Lord Whimsey mysteries, Jeeves and Wooster novels by PG Woodhouse. Gloria Naylor who mostly wrote in the late 80s, early 90s wrote amazing characters--try Linden Hills and Mama Day. Sue Townsend Adrian Mole novels are all character. And, try The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz. His characters aren't always likable, but they're characters.
babobunny OP t1_iu0cmnt wrote
Are you sure? https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/649034-emma if you're in the app, try going to your profile settings and setting a username or URL :)
Mystical_y t1_iu0comg wrote
Yes, it is :') Such a profound story.
CrazyCatLady108 t1_iu0csoe wrote
Hi there. Per rule 3.3, please post book recommendation requests in /r/SuggestMeABook or in our Weekly Recommendation Thread. Thank you!
Mystical_y t1_iu0dnbb wrote
Ok yes, that's not me :< I've only been using the website so far. Is that an issue? For adding friends? Coz I haven't been using Goodreads for a while.
Your_Daddy_ t1_iu0fjf7 wrote
Needful Things and The Stand by Stephen King
Your_Daddy_ t1_iu0fo6m wrote
Christopher Moore books are so funny. While I was reading Lamb, I was waiting for my car tires to be done, and I probably looked like a weirdo giggling at my book.
The whole part of his experience in Indie - I thought was some made up fiction, since I am not very religious - but after I researched some of the topics, the book stays true to its Bible references.
The__Imp t1_iu0hhq0 wrote
No, not intended to be a criticism at all. It is a beautiful book. Not one of my favorites, but an excellent book, especially on the first read.
My point was simply that, to a degree, the characters themselves are tools for that emotional impact the book is building towards.
I like Lenny and George. But they don't feel alive to me the same way that Lee or Sam Hamilton or the Joads feel.
Ultimately, my point is merely that if OP likes the characterization in Mice and Men, where the characters are hampered by their need to fit in the box, if you will, of serving the sharply defined goals of the book, then he or she should like the characterization from Grapes of Wrath or East of Eden even more.
ardardardar t1_iu0i0yh wrote
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles! The Count is just this absolute golden retriever of a human but still has complexity and emotional depth.
concrete_dandelion t1_iu0jfym wrote
Montalbano, I had a spelling mistake
Almostasleeprightnow t1_iu0lb0o wrote
Yes me too. I also love seeing SM go from being a complete loner (remember "sigh, another day" somewhere in M&C) to having a group of followers, basically all his people that he cares for as a quirky patriarch. (yellow admiral, I believe. )
BoshraExists t1_iu13uk5 wrote
Happy reading!
ipakookapi t1_iu1xudl wrote
The Berlin Diaries and A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood.
The first is written from Weimar Berlin just as the nazis are taking over, and about how people in every day life is reacting to that.
The movie Cabaret is based on it, but in the original it's a gay man befriending a sex worker, not a straight romance. Same thing as
Breakfast At Tiffanys.
The other is about a middle aged gay man mounrning his passed partner, reading Ruskin conservative art history on the toilet and yelling at kids to get of his lawn. It was made into a very sexy and pretty good film by fashion designer Tom Ford, but the vibe is very different, and as a grumpy middle aged queer, I prefer the book.
His characters are more real than plenty of people I have met in real life.
tiranul t1_itz5cvp wrote
My favorite book is callied "villains by necessity" a traditional fantasy but its up to the villains to save the world.