A friend, family member, teacher, enemy, however they may be connected to the main character there are some supporting characters that capture my attention (and love) just as much. Some authors (Megan Whalen Turner) are crazy good at making the most minor characters seem fascinating with just a few sentences. Sometimes, it just depends on who I connect with in a book. I find myself wanting more of their story, to know what makes them tick. In some cases I desperately want the author to get to work already, and deliver a novel about that character. In some cases, I like being left with the devices of my own imagination. Either way there some secondary characters that have completely captured my devotion.
To name a few:
Chaz Santangelo (Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta)
Chaz is the one who got me thinking about this subject because I was rereading Jellicoe yesterday, and I just love him. I liked him a lot the first time, but the second time through I liked him even more. I think he is awesome and he intrigues me. Marchetta could have made him a mere plot pusher, the one who reveals certain truths to Taylor, but she gave him a fully realized personality and some amazing lines.
Rob (Rebel (UK)/ Wayfarer (US) by R.J. Anderson)
Rob has many characteristics I like in male characters so it is not really surprising that I find him so fascinating. There are several mysterious incidents in his past mentioned (one major very dark one in particular) that really make me want to know his entire story and how he came to where he now is.
Bunter (Strong Poison, et al. by Dorothy Sayers)
I admit through most of the Lord Peter books I saw Bunter as just a very loyal servant and helper to the awesomeness that is Peter. But then I read Strong Poison, where Peter makes allusions to Bunter's behavior off the job, and Bunter manages charm all sorts of information out of serving women.
Faramir (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien)
Faramir is actually my favorite character in The Lord of the Rings. I find him to be the most complex and wonderful of the men in that book (those books, whichever way you look at it).
And then there are all the character from Megan Whalen Turner's books...
The Magus (what is his name), the MOW, Agape (who has to be developing a serious complex by now), Lady Heiro, Philologos (he is my favorite attendant), Ion (both of them), and I could go on and on...I told you MWT is good at this.
Does anyone else develop these fascinations with not so major characters in books? If so, who are your favorites?
To name a few:
Chaz Santangelo (Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta)
Chaz is the one who got me thinking about this subject because I was rereading Jellicoe yesterday, and I just love him. I liked him a lot the first time, but the second time through I liked him even more. I think he is awesome and he intrigues me. Marchetta could have made him a mere plot pusher, the one who reveals certain truths to Taylor, but she gave him a fully realized personality and some amazing lines.
Rob (Rebel (UK)/ Wayfarer (US) by R.J. Anderson)
Rob has many characteristics I like in male characters so it is not really surprising that I find him so fascinating. There are several mysterious incidents in his past mentioned (one major very dark one in particular) that really make me want to know his entire story and how he came to where he now is.
Bunter (Strong Poison, et al. by Dorothy Sayers)
I admit through most of the Lord Peter books I saw Bunter as just a very loyal servant and helper to the awesomeness that is Peter. But then I read Strong Poison, where Peter makes allusions to Bunter's behavior off the job, and Bunter manages charm all sorts of information out of serving women.
Faramir (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien)
Faramir is actually my favorite character in The Lord of the Rings. I find him to be the most complex and wonderful of the men in that book (those books, whichever way you look at it).
And then there are all the character from Megan Whalen Turner's books...
The Magus (what is his name), the MOW, Agape (who has to be developing a serious complex by now), Lady Heiro, Philologos (he is my favorite attendant), Ion (both of them), and I could go on and on...I told you MWT is good at this.
Does anyone else develop these fascinations with not so major characters in books? If so, who are your favorites?
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