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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.

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StoicIndian87 t1_itz5wlj wrote

A Suitable Boy and American Tabloid for me.

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doowgad1 t1_itz6efa wrote

Walter Mosley. All his characters come off as real. The bad ones are bad, but you can see why they do what they do.

Philippa Gregory.

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hedley1983 t1_itz6uo4 wrote

East of Eden by Steinbeck.

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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

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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.

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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!

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_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))

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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.

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juliaaargh t1_itza6rq wrote

the Master and Commander series by Patrick O'Brian.

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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

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_ellogovna t1_itzas5z wrote

Replying to SuccotashCareless934 (#256,526)

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

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SuccotashCareless934 t1_itzc16p wrote

Replying to _ellogovna (#256,588)

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.

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babobunny OP t1_itzccy5 wrote

Replying to _ellogovna (#256,249)

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.

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babobunny OP t1_itzcxg4 wrote

Replying to Mystical_y (#256,427)

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 😍

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_ellogovna t1_itzdjfa wrote

Replying to SuccotashCareless934 (#256,753)

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!

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SuccotashCareless934 t1_itze1z4 wrote

Replying to _ellogovna (#256,981)

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).

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SovArya t1_itzfkk4 wrote

Pendragon by dj McHale

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Mystical_y t1_itzg5or wrote

Replying to babobunny (#257,349)

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)

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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

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th3BlackAngel t1_itzher2 wrote

ASoIAF (the Game of Thrones books). So many great characters there to be honest.

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Farai17 t1_itzi7ee wrote

For me it's Zadie Smith and Chimamanda Adichie. I also really really like Julian Barnes, although I've only read two of his books; The Sense of an Ending and The Only Story.

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Farai17 t1_itzieqx wrote

For me it's Zadie Smith and Chimamanda Adichie. I also really really like Julian Barnes, although I've only read two of his books; The Sense of an Ending and The Only Story.

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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)

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stevs23 t1_itzk4zc wrote

To kill a mockingbird

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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.

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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.

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Live_Tax7209 t1_itzmeub wrote

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. Some of the most well thought out and well defined personalities and characteristics.

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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.

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jackandjerry t1_itzn2ot wrote

Haruki Murakami - Wind Up Bird Chronicle of

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preterintenzionato t1_itzoq4i wrote

I mean, as far as nuanced, well written character go, Lolita by Nabokov is a masterpiece

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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.

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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

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Insanity_Crab t1_itzss9a wrote

Replying to L_Nathaniel_Adams (#258,101)

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.

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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.

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ianbalisy t1_itzufvc wrote

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, I cannot recommend this book enough—one of the best of the century so far. The Left Hand of Darkness or The Dispossessed by Ursula K Le Guin, of course.

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showturtle t1_itzuh27 wrote

How has nobody mentioned Victor Hugo? His books are practically 400+ page character developments. His characters ARE the plot.

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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.

−4

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.

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showturtle t1_itzux3s wrote

Replying to hedley1983 (#256,025)

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.

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The__Imp t1_itzveck wrote

Replying to babobunny (#256,430)

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.

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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.

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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.

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porky63 t1_itzwopk wrote

Replying to The__Imp (#259,630)

>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.

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showturtle t1_itzwsjp wrote

Replying to juliaaargh (#256,502)

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.

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showturtle t1_itzy14t wrote

Replying to Youre_a_tomato (#258,463)

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.

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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

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ElectronicShoes t1_itzz9n3 wrote

Sea of Tranquility and Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel.

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MortarMaggot275 t1_itzzf2p wrote

Glokta in The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie.

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Helkattt t1_iu00ibu wrote

The coldest winter ever by sistah souljah she describes each character so vividly. This book definitely should be a movie but it may just ruin it

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Almostasleeprightnow t1_iu00urz wrote

Replying to showturtle (#259,777)

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.

1

Hai-Etlik t1_iu04n63 wrote

Steven Brust and Terry Pratchett both do a really good job of giving their characters a distinct voice.

Brust is able to write one character narrating another in a way where you can hear the distinctive qualities of both of them.

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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".

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Derpyblur t1_iu069yr wrote

Les Mis. Jean Valjean is one of my fav protagonists ever

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slowrisy t1_iu06phe wrote

Replying to babobunny (#256,816)

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.

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syram06 t1_iu07yyo wrote

Stoner by John Williams. The protag is realistic in where he's stoic with the narcissistic and manipulative people in throughout his life, and yet still never backs down from his passion for teaching, reading, and studying literature.

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bookreader018 t1_iu098t2 wrote

I’m going to throw The Help and Kindred out there

1

BasedArzy t1_iu09msu wrote

“Buddenbrooks” by Thomas Mann
“Play It as it Lays” by Joan Didion
“East of Eden” by Steinbeck

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purple_lassy t1_iu09oog wrote

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

I feel like her characters are close friends. She is the best.

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MaximusJCat t1_iu0akc4 wrote

Two of my favorites:

Horns by Joe Hill

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

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tesscole4922 t1_iu0b5ej wrote

Books written by Kathleen O'Neal and Michael Gear. Lucia Robson, Bonnye Mathews, Gene Brown, to name a few.

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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.

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ruzgardiken t1_iu0btcu wrote

the first law trilogy. Joe Abercrombie is a master at good character work

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tmoney144 t1_iu0bzh5 wrote

The Sun also Rises by Hemingway. One of those books where everyone kinda sucks, but you feel for them anyway.

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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.

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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!

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Your_Daddy_ t1_iu0fjf7 wrote

Needful Things and The Stand by Stephen King

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Your_Daddy_ t1_iu0fo6m wrote

Replying to i-opener (#256,108)

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.

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The__Imp t1_iu0hhq0 wrote

Replying to porky63 (#259,767)

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.

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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.

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Almostasleeprightnow t1_iu0lb0o wrote

Replying to showturtle (#261,730)

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. )

2

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.

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