Over at Publisher Weekly’s Shelftalker’s blog, a question is posed: Who are your literary crushes? It’s actually a fascinating question and one I’ve never given serious conscious thought to until now.
But, for whatever it’s worth, here are my top ten (at least the ones that come to mind) in no particular order of importance:
1. Madame de Tourvel from Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Truthfully, I think this has less to do with the novel and more to do with Michelle Pfeiffer who played this character in the film version. I simply cannot think of this novel now without seeing Ms. Pfeiffer’s fine self.
2. Becky Sharp from Vanity Fair. Despite the fact that she is manipulative and untrustworthy (and more than likely a whore), it’s hard to remain immune to her charms and intelligence. And because her actions cost her more than she gains, she is not a wholly unsympathetic character.
3. Belle from Blue Belle . This beautiful yet tragic stripper, victim and child of incest, and love interest to Andrew Vachss’ hero, Burke, Belle ranks as the most memorable character in one of the strongest novels in the Burke series.
4. Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. Intelligent, sociable and loves to read — what’s not to like?
5. Sissy Hankshaw from Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Sexy, adventurous and oh, those thumbs!
6. Becky Thatcher from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Just because I read this book in the sixth grade and there was this new girl in my classroom I had a crush on and Becky reminded me of her.
7. Emily Webb from Our Town. What can I say? She’s the girl-next-door type and she helped George with his homework.
8. Kitty Fane from The Painted Veil. Although she starts out as an indecent and shallow person, Kitty kind of grew on me.
9. Jude from Kiss Me, Judas. One of the best bad girls in contemporary American fiction.
10. Hester Pryne from The Scarlett Letter. Hell, I just plain admired Hester. Evil, sadistic husband. Cowardly lover. Judgemental townpeople. Yet, she was a survivor.
So that’s my list. What’s yours?
