As it's World Book Day and we're all avid readers, we thought we'd share some of our favourite literary characters.
Dave
Perhaps underrated because Hollywood didn’t come knocking, Terry Pratchett remains my favourite author, displaying a sense of humour that works as well for younger readers as it does for adults.
Whilst his novels roam far and wide on the Discworld, an imaginary world that may have sparked the resurgence in flat-earth belief, one character features in all his more than 40 books – Death, or more accurately, DEATH (he always talks in capitals, yet is softly spoken).
Strangely, DEATH is a favourite amongst Pratchett fans, never mean, spiteful or vengeful and always treating those he collects immediately after their demise with patience, regardless of their standing in life; prince or pauper.
I like to think many people will face death with less fear, having grown up with this mental image of DEATH. They will look into the glowing blue eyes of the shrouded skull that is DEATH and know they are destined for a better, quieter afterlife, wondering why for all eternity his horse is called Binky.
Ben
Having a very logical mind myself, my choice for a favourite character is elementary – the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes.
Over the years, he’s become a British icon that works just as well in the modern day as he does in Victorian London.
Like all great detectives, he manages to solve seemingly impossible crimes in interesting ways, but he also has many quirks that make him relatable.
More than just his powers of deduction, his charm, wit and humour make him such an interesting character to read about.
Even here I’ve been influenced by Sherlock’s style, hiding a secret code word for you to find.
See if you can find it 😉
Matt
There can only be one winner – Professor Snape.
The Harry Potter series could not be what it is without the terrifying complexity of Severus Snape, the sarcastic Potions Master with a reputation for delivering some of the book’s most memorable moments.
Although his introduction is cold and we start off disliking the character, a progressive plot twist and emotional ending sequence reveals Snape’s true intentions, as a caring and loyal teacher who was only ever committed to protecting Harry. Always.
Laura
My favourite is Detective Harry Hole, who features in Jo Nesbo’s crime thrillers.
He is a complex, chain-smoking, flawed and uncompromising man. He could definitely be described as a loose canon, he often disobeys orders and flouts the rules to get results.
In my opinion he is the ultimate detective, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the series. Looking forward to any future novels!
Alistair
A Confederacy of Dunces (by John Kennedy Toole) may not be the most well known of books, but it contains one of my favourite characters.
I love Ignatius Jacques Reilly, as he is somewhat a modern Don Quixote - idealistic, eccentric, and creative, almost to the point of delusion. Plus his favourite food is hotdogs, and he loves flannel shirts and hunting hats.
As Jonathan Swift once said: "When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.”