Greetings Bookworms!
It’s been about a year since I launched the Idiosyncratic Lit List feature, and I’m still endlessly entertained by it. My first list had to do with characters who were missing their arms, so OBVIOUSLY I’m going to celebrate this unofficial anniversary by making a list of characters who have lost their legs. Fictional appendages for everyone!
1. Ian Murray from the Outlander
series by Diana Gabaldon: Poor Ian lost his leg thanks to some nasty grapeshot he encountered while fighting as a mercenary in France. Luckily, he had Jenny Fraser waiting for him back in Scotland, which I think he’d agree was a pretty good consolation prize.
2. Gus from The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green: One of the most articulate teenagers ever, Gus lost his leg to a bout with osteosarcoma. Cancer is complete crap, but it can’t stop teenage luuuurve. There’s a venn diagram involved, but suffice it to say Gus is all about making the best of a hard situation. Yes. I went there. I think I just lost my “grown up” card.
3. Captain Ahab from Moby Dick
by Herman Melville: This list would be incomplete without a sailor with a peg leg! I actually hated this book, but I wouldn’t resist including crazy old Ahab on this list. I really can’t blame the guy for wanting revenge on the jerk of a whale who bit off his leg. (Seriously though, since when do whales bite off legs? Orcas are penguin eating bastards, but your typical whale? Ahab must have REALLY pissed him off.)
4. Mad Eye Moody from The Harry Potter
Series by JK Rowling: Mad Eye’s auror duties landed him in a lot of battles with dark witches and wizards and he came out rather worse for the wear as a result. In addition to half his nose and his left eye, the poor dude lost half a leg as well. He still fought the good fight, though!
5. Cormoran Strike from The Cuckoo’s Calling
by Robert Galbraith: It’s everyone’s favorite curmudgeonly detective! Cormoran lost his leg in Afghanistan, which totally sucks, but he’s still a total badass. (Interesting that Rowling has written two distinct characters missing legs… I wonder if there’s some kind of connection there. Maybe she’s got a pal rocking a prosthesis?)
I’m sure I’ve left someone out, Bookworms. Got a favorite character who just happens to have lost a leg?
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Nish
You missed that pirate dude from Treasure Island – the villainous Long John Silver.
Words For Worms
I haven’t read Treasure Island! (Oh, the shame…)
tanya (52 books or bust)
I don’t know if a limb is actually lost, but A Farewell to Arms may work. Ha Ha.
Words For Worms
Ha! I used that as the title to my first post about missing arms :).
Shannon @ River City Reading
I’m always amazed by what you come up with when you do these…I never would have been able to think of these books, even though I’ve read some of them!
Words For Worms
There’s meaningful creativity, and then there’s the way my brain works. It’s… interesting… in here.
Sarah's Book Shelves
Ha! I’m extremely impressed at your book memory. Cormoran Strike is a good one!
Words For Worms
He’s a great character, too. I liked him.
Darlene @ Lost in Literature 108
Hey, what about Peeta from the Hunger Games? He lost a leg, though he kept it for the movie.:)
Words For Worms
Dangit, you are right. HOW DID I FORGET PEETA?!
Jancee
So creative. And always entertaining!
Words For Worms
Thank you 🙂
Leah @ Books Speak Volumes
I don’t know how you come up with all of these! I don’t think I would have been able to come up with a single character who’s missing a leg, even though I obsessively read everything JK Rowling writes!
Words For Worms
My brain scares me sometimes.
Amy @ Read a Latte
My immediate thought was, NOPE, no one comes to mind! But then I read and was just slightly embarrassed to see multiple books that I’ve read on the list!
Words For Worms
LOL, no worries Amy. I’m not judging!
Jennine G.
Hahaha! How did you think of this topic?
Words For Worms
Actually, I think it came into my head because I’m re-reading the Outlander series and I’ve been going through some sections on field hospitals and 18th century amputation techniques, so… Yeah. This happened.
Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf
What I wouldn’t give for an hour in your head! hahaha awesome list
Words For Worms
It’s scary in here, Monika!
Andi
Ian! Love that inclusion. If you’ve never read “Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor, you need to read that story. Pretty sure it’s online, and it’s so screwy. Involves a fake leg.