Have you ever developed a crush on a character in your favourite book? Have you ever become so enamoured with a fictional love interest that you want to climb inside the story, boot the heroine out of the picture and start up your own literary romance?
I had a conversation over cocktails with my lovely friend, Sammi, (*waves*) about this very subject last week. Unfortunately we didn’t get very far with our list of book crushes, but it got me thinking about which characters I would choose.
After a brief ponder back over my reading history, there were a few obvious characters that jumped out as examples of literary lustiness. Although, thinking way back, I remember there being plenty of great characters in some of the books I read as a teenager – but I don’t think Point Horror novels are really valid crush material for a twenty-something!
In future, whenever I’m reading, I’m going to watch out for other characters who might be worthy of inclusion.
- Mr Darcy – Pride and Prejudice. One of the ultimate literary love interests, both on the page and on screen. I don’t think I need to explain this one.
- Mr Rochester – Jane Eyre. Another of the original literary bad boys, Rochester’s ardent pursuit of the virtuous young governess is memorable for its fervency and his preference for Jane’s intellect and heart over the beauty and status of other eligible women.
- Eric Northman – Dead to the World. Sookie Stackhouse’s Viking vampire lover is hard not to lust after, but after he loses his memory in book four of the Southern Vampire series, his vulnerable side emerges and sends his crush factor into overdrive.
- Henry DeTamble – The Time Traveler’s Wife. Despite the obvious problems, Henry and Clare’s romance is one of the most poignant and passionate I’ve ever read. Their love transcends time and even life itself; who wouldn’t want to be a part of something so profound?
- Prentice McHoan – The Crow Road. The Crow Road is one of my all-time favourite novels, and lead character Prentice is a sweet yet conflicted young Scot who is passionate about uncovering a family mystery. Plus he drinks, smokes, loves and talks the meaning of life like a true type-A creative. Always works for me!
- Jamie Fraser – Outlander series. Now I have to admit, I’ve never actually read any of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander novels, despite many recommendations from a friend. But I’ve heard that there is one particular reason to read them, namely a certain strapping young Scottish hero…
- Edward Cullen – Twilight. Okay, perhaps we’ve reached the point where it’s no longer cool to admit a crush on this particular vampire, but I’ll always remember fondly the first time I read the Twilight series because of how intensely I loved the world that Stephenie Meyer had created, not least the ardent romance between Edward and Bella.
- Mark Darcy – Bridget Jones’ Diary. For rescuing Bridget from a hellish Thai prison and punching eternal cad Daniel Cleaver on the nose, then apologising profusely like a true English gent.
As soon as I publish this I’m sure I’ll think of another half a dozen characters that I should have included; let me know who you would add to your list of fictional crushes, I’d love to compare them!
Ken Preston says
Speaking from a male perspective, (us guys have crushes too, y’know!) I recently fell in love with a girl named Sunset, in Joe R Lansdale’s western, Sunset and Sawdust.
In the opening pages of the novel, Sunset kills her husband (he’s a nasty piece of work, and he is trying to rape her at the time) whilst a hurricane literally blows their house away from around them. Sunset’s husband happens to be the town’s sheriff, which kind of complicates matters, especially when Sunset gets elected as the town’s next sheriff!
Sunset is wonderful, and I would have moved to Texas for her if she had been real, (and I wasn’t already married!)
But my first true love will always be Gwen Stacy, from the pages of The Amazing Spider-Man. I was devastated when she died!
Amy says
Thanks Ken, yes I did think about putting together another article at some point from a guy’s POV, but that’ll take a bit more research! So any suggestions are more than welcome!
Kate says
Jamie Fraser; the fictional love of my life! Swoon!
Amy says
Glad you approve!
Lucy J Loves says
Henry DeTamble all the way!
Amy Lord says
Yes, yes, yes!
Julianne says
You need to add these names to the list… Jason (heroes of Olympus)… and Percy/Perseous (Percy Jackson).