Favorite Fictional Characters

I have a friend named Aerin. We met in the sixth grade. Ms. Martin, the librarian, introduced us. Aerin was on the quiet side, and so was I. She liked horses, and so did I. She hunted dragons, and so did…well, a girl can dream, can’t she?

Aerin is the main character of The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinely. We have never been to the movies or had a fight (she is fictional after all), but that does not mean that she is not a real friend. I revisit The Hero and the Crown at least once a year, and each time Aerin is different. It is as if she were growing up with me: encouraging me to take risks, giving me relationship advice, helping me find out who I am in the world.

Aerin is my favorite fictional character because she is my friend.

Who is your favorite fictional character?

Tintin

Occupation: Investigative Reporter

Nationality: Belgian (most likely)

Age: 16-18

Sidekick: Milou (“Snowy” the dog)

I like Tintin’s blandness, his blankness, his lack of depth; he is an empty page on which adventures can be drawn. He is clearly a friendly and honourable chap; his dog is loyal, his friends dependably amusing, his way of life both comfortable and interesting.

~ Philip Pullman

Phillip Pullman is the author the His Dark Material Series (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass) and the Sally Lockhart Series (The Ruby in the Smoke, The Shadow in the North, The Tiger in the Well, The Tin Princess).

Harriet M Welsch

Occupation: Aspiring writer

Nationality: American

Age: 11

Harriet M Welsch, in Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh, is a precocious 11-year-old New Yorker who is obsessed with spying. Her friends ostracise her for writing brutally honest things about them. Harriet is curious, truthful, and a loner – all qualities a writer needs.

~ Tracy Chevalier

Tracy Chevalier is the author of  Girl with a Pearl Earring.

EmmaWoodhouse

Occupation: Village matchmaker

Nationality: British

Age: 20

Jane Austen’s Emma is so very human. She is always plunging into such embarrassing mistakes – and yet they’re the mistakes one longs to make oneself, like telling the tediously garrulous Miss Bates to shut up. And, bless her, she is truly ashamed when she does, because she is actually very nice. Nicer than I am by a long way.

~Diana Wynne Jones

Diana Wynne Jones is the author of Chrestomanci series and Howl’s Moving Castle.

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The above quotes are from the Independent’s 2005 article: The 100 favourite fictional characters… as chosen by 100 literary luminaries.