10 Zany, Dynamic, Memorable, Eccentric, or One-of-a-Kind Characters #TopTenTuesday

July 19, 2022

10 Zany, Dynamic, Memorable, Eccentric, or One-of-a-Kind Characters

10 Zany, dynamic, Memorable, Eccentric, or One-Of-A-Kind Characters (white text in a coral text box against a background of wild flowers) I’m linking up today with #TopTenTuesday: That Artsy Reader Girl: July Freebie.

Top Ten Tuesday (meme)

I LOVE wonderful, quirky characters! Each one lives in my memories forever! And I love the opportunity to talk about them and share them!

In no particular order, let me introduce you to a few memorable “quirky” characters….

Eudora in The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons is

self-determined and one-of-a-kind
(Content Warning: talk of assisted suicide)

the Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons (cover) Image: two people by a pool...one sitting on the deck, the other holding her nose and jumping in


Margery and Enid in Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce are

fearless, adventurous, and determined

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce (cover) Image: black and gold text over a gold beetle and bright pink background

Hattie and Harold in The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home by Joanna Nell are

fiesty, independently minded, and determined

The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home by Joanna Nell (cover) text on a white background with an image of a large tree, a barking dog, a bench, and a large bird flying from the tree


Ove in a Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman is

quirky, lonely, grouchy, and loveable
(Content Warning: talk of suicide, grief)

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (cover) Image: a man with a cat brushing against his legs stands in an open field with his back to the camera


Eleanor in Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gayle Honeyman is

hurt, brave, lonely, and quirky
(Content Warning: suicide attempt, child neglect/abuse)

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (cover)


Britt-Marie in Britt-Marie was Here by Fredrik Backman is

independent, quirky, and finding her voice

Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman (cover) Image: a woman stands on a sidewalk with her back to the camera, a valise and soccer ball at her feet


Cussy in The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson is

determined, compassionate, a difference-maker, and a victim of racism

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (cover)


Hazel and Duncan in Love and Lavender by Josi S. Kilpack are

innovative and brave overcomers

Love and Lavender by Jose S. Kilpack (cover) Image: a woman in a long dress and bonnet stands alone in a field of lavender


Ryland and Rocky in Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir are

ingenious, sacrificial, and an unforgettable dynamic duo (IYKYK)

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (cover) Image: an astronaut floats in space tethered to a gold and black object


The Captain and Johanna in News of the World are

reluctant companions, brave, and a dynamic duo

News of the World by Paulette Jiles (cover) Image: a prairie landscape under a big blue cloud filled sky


There are sooooo many more (I must stop!), but these are the first 10 that come to mind. Fredrik Backman and Rachel Joyce are two of my favorite authors for their characterizations.



QOTD:

Who is one of your most memorable characters?



Happy Reading Book Worms

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text



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36 comments

  1. Hi Carol! Another book that springs to mind is The Guncle by Steven Rowley. Patrick is definitely one of a kind!

  2. What a great idea for a top ten, Carol. I have read 7 of these, but I really need to read Miss. Benson’s Beetle. Thanks for the reminder. I loved all the characters that you mentioned that I have gotten to know through the books.

  3. I love a quirky character! You have some of my top picks on your list. I would add Dorothy from the Dearest Dorothy series by Charlene Ann Baumbich and Mrs. Pollifax from the series by Dorothy Gilman.

  4. What a fun post for the freebie! I loved Eleanor Oliphant! I should be reading A Man Called Ove this summer.

  5. Brilliant choice of a freebie. I even read a few of them and have “Project Hail Mary” on my TBR pile now. Totally agree with your characters being eccentric.

    My TTT is a Top Fifteen this week.

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