Happy Tuesday, Bookworms!
It’s a beautiful day for a list, don’t you think?! The fabulous ladies at The Broke and the Bookish have come up with a fantastic concept for today’s list. We’re talking about our favorite secondary characters in books. I’ve always believed that if I were in a movie or a book, I’d be the quirky best friend and not the romantic lead, so sidekicks have a special place in my heart. Let’s count down some of the best, shall we?!
1. Hermione Granger from Harry Potter by JK Rowling. It is super hard to choose a favorite “secondary” character from Harry Potter, because there are so many that I love. You might even be able to argue that Hermione isn’t a “secondary” character because she’s a big deal. Whatever. The books don’t have her name on the cover, she’s awesome, and it’s my blog. Yay Hermione!
2. Young Ian from The Outlander Novels by Diana Gabaldon– The youngest son of Ian and Jenny Murray is just a firecracker. Whatever shenanigans he gets himself into (and Ian is big on the shenanigans) you can’t help but love him.
3. Fermin from The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron. Who doesn’t love Fermin? The outrageous homeless man turned bookseller had an endless supply of amusing stories as well as an endless supply of mysterious skills. Also, though he’s a slender fellow, he has a seemingly endless stomach capacity. Who doesn’t love a ham sandwich?
4. Horace from Empire Falls by Richard Russo. I don’t know what it is, but a dude with a big growth on his face makes my underdog radar go off. He also kicked butt at cards and took that banty rooster Walt down a few pegs every time they played gin rummy.
5. Chiron (the Centaur) from Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. What’s not to love about a freaking centaur?! He tutors Achilles and Patroclus in the arts of war and medicine… Plus he doesn’t make a big deal about their man love blossoming on his mountain. Pretty cool guy-horse, that Chiron.
6. Toby from Tell The Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. I absolutely adored Toby, Finn’s “secret” lover. Oh Toby. It made me SO SAD that Finn’s family didn’t accept his life with Toby. The reasons were complicated, but it broke my heart. When he lost Finn, Toby had nobody left. I LOVED the relationship he forged with June. Gah. The whole thing is making me tear up again!
7. Cinna from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Katniss’s stylist in the Capitol proved that not everyone in the Capitol was heartless. I was really excited to see Lennie Kravitz cast in the movie, because he was pretty darn fantastic. I kind of wish Cinna would make me a dress with pyrotechnic capabilities…
8. Gavroche from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I flipping love this feisty little street urchin. He is well versed in the Parisian underworld and he freaking LIVES in an ELEPHANT statue. Swagger.
9. The Artful Dodger from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Speaking of street urchins, The Artful Dodger was London’s answer to Gavroche. A plucky young pickpocket, ‘The Artful’ was one of the few in Fagin’s gang who had a good heart.
10. M from Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. Ah yes, the Mercutio to R’s Romeo. He’s one of the few zombies that can articulate… after a fashion. They’re brain eating, grunting, bachelor zombie buddies. I found him amusing.
What about you, Bookworms? Who are some of your favorite secondary characters? Do you prefer underdogs and weirdos or are you more a fan of the logical sidekicks?
Brittany
I can’t believe I forgot Cinna!! seeing him everywhere…….. except on my list haha!
And of course Hermione is probably… THE best sidekick ever! I’d love to have her in my corner 🙂
Words for Worms
Hermione is so much awesome. I basically want to be her. Sigh.
Meg
Young Ian definitely makes my list!
Words for Worms
I love that kid. He even rocks face tattoos. That’s pretty badass.
Quirky Chrissy
I’m more of a main character, myself…but if I had to choose a sidekick, it would totally be Huck Finn, BEFORE he had his own book.
Words for Worms
Well, who wouldn’t want Huck as a sidekick? He’s fantastic.
Katie @ Book Savvy
Hermione is on my list as well. She is such a great sidekick for Harry, and she is also extremely knowledgeable. I also agree with Cinna and M. M is such a funny character, and he somehow manages to give zombies depth!
Check out my TTT list: http://booksavvyblog.blogspot.com/
Words for Worms
Hermione and Ron are the best friends anyone could ever have. I have an irrational desire for them to be REAL.
Ashley Z
Cinna! Oh I love that you thought of this. I loved his character! And Toby! That book absolutely tugs at the heartstrings! Great list!
Words for Worms
Thank you! Cinna was such a great character… And Toby. Gah! I just love that book so much!
Vilia
I went with Fagin over the Artful Dodger as he’s so menacing. Not particularly likeable but hard to forget and he acted like a creepy puppet master with all his gang. Here’s my T10T
Vilia @ Backchatting Books
Words for Worms
Creepy puppet master indeed! Excellent description of Fagin!
the undeniable anglophile
Hmmm… Her ions would find a place on my list, but then, I just can’t think of Harry without Ron!
And as for Gavroche, he really was some character! I have to confess to nearly crying when I saw the scene in which he died while watching the 2012 movie.
M is an amusing choice, him being the quintessential sidekick, only with green skin, immortality (in a way of speaking) and a craving for hearts, rather than fries (referring to the typical perpetually hungry sidekick)
Words for Worms
I cried when he died in the book, I cried at the movie, and half the music in the Les Mis soundtrack gets me weepy. You’re in good company!
the undeniable anglophile
Happened to me too. It’s now my favourite movie, and that just reminds me, I should probably rent it out and watch it for the fourth time!
Liesel Hill
I think everyone had to agonize over which HP character to pick for this week. I always liked Cinna too, and Gavroche is a great pick! Did you see the musical that came out last year. Both child part–his and the very young Cosette–were fantastic. They found way cute kids that could just belt out the songs! He’s a great character and one not mentioned very often. Awesome! 😀
Words for Worms
Gavroche is one of my favorite characters ever. I thought they did a great job with the 2012 movie, even though I really wanted to take little Gavroche to the dentist… Those makeup artists went for realism, that’s for sure.
PinotNinja
Easter in Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder. That little boy brought out the best in all of the characters, until the very end when you realized that his entire life had been controlled by decisions made by those characters when they were at their worst.
Words for Worms
I’ve not read State of Wonder! It’s been on my radar for a while but haven’t taken the plunge. I take it it’s a worthwhile read?
Amanda
Haha, I thought the same thing when I was putting Hermione on my list! And I cant believe I forgot Cinna! Great list 🙂
Words for Worms
Thank you! 🙂 I love that “it’s my blog I can do what I want!” excuse!
Kero
Almost every blog I’ve come across has a character from the Harry Potter on its list. The entire series is unforgettable! I vaguely remember adding “Shadow of the Wind” on Goodreads, but never got my hands on it. I hope it’s a good book.
My Top 10
Words for Worms
Shadow of the Wind is great- I recommend giving it a shot. And Harry Potter. I mean… It’s Harry Potter! Nothing will ever be so magical 🙂
Turn the Page Reviews
I loved Fermin! I also liked that the third book featured lots of him.
Words for Worms
I’ve only read book one- you’re enticing me to continue with the promise of more Fermin!
Turn the Page Reviews
The third is really more about him- it is great. The second confused me a bit. I want to reread all three together.
Tiffany
Fermin made my list too! I adore him. And I love the addiction of the Artful Dodger. I never even thought about him.
Words for Worms
Is it bad that I liked the Artful Dodger better than Oliver? Oliver was so whiny!
Nish
I can’t believe I missed The Artful Dodger. I loved him so much, And Hermione, she was nice, a bit annoying, the kids I really liked were Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood.
Words for Worms
Neville and Luna were fabulous. I loved Luna- I’ve got a soft spot for weirdos! LOL!
unsolicitedtidbits
I’m so glad Hermione got #1 🙂
Words for Worms
First one I thought of, that’s for sure!
miathereader
Gavroche is an awesome pick! My husband told me I should have included him in my list, but I was already set on the ten choice I had made. I guess it could’ve been Top 11. =)
Words for Worms
Ha! I don’t blame you. I would have just added 11. Next time, be a rebel! 🙂
Bonnie (@missbonnie13)
Hermione and Ian, yes!! And I love mention of M… he was freaking hilarious. Great list!!
Words for Worms
Thanks! I think we’ve all got a friend like M… Just a little less zombie-like. 🙂
Sarah Says Read
I looooove Young Ian, he is the best! He was on my list the last time I did this TTT topic. Awwww, and Toby 🙁
I didn’t like M in the Warm Bodies book! Which sucks cause I thought he was fun in the movie, but in the book I thought he was kind of gross. I mean they all are, because they’re zombies, but he was creeper-gross.
Words for Worms
LOL! M, if you unzombified him, reminded me of a few friends I’ve had in my life. Gross and inappropriate, but ultimately lovable. I haven’t seen the movie yet. I know, right?!
justjase79
Can’t believe neither Sancho Panza nor Man Friday have made this list! Two of the original sidekicks from two works considered to be amongst the first novels. The list seems to have a clear bias towards recent popular works.
Words for Worms
Top Ten Tuesday isn’t really meant to be an exhaustive list of the best in literature… It’s merely what occurs to me each week as I’m compiling. I’ve read neither Don Quixote or Robinson Crusoe in their entirety, so I couldn’t in good conscience include them anyway.
Jenny @ Reading the End (formerly Jenny's Books)
Aw, Toby. I’d add the cat from Coraline too! That was an excellent and very catlike cat.
Words for Worms
I haven’t read Coraline! Serious holes in my Gaiman cannon…
Lillian Connelly
Thanks for reminding me about “Tell The Wolves I’m Home.” I read about that book and wanted to buy it, but totally forgot!
Words for Worms
It’s so so so so so so good.
Melinda
Boy, am I glad to see Fermin on this list. He is an absolutely delight! I think his comic moments totally broke the ice when the book (Shadow and Prisoner) got too gloomy and eerie.
Words for Worms
He’s the best!