100 Best Characters in Fiction Since 1900

NPR ^ | 2002 | Book Magazine

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

No, haven’t tackled those books yet. Maybe someday.

[PerConPat]

ooops, Smilely=Smiley

[neocon1984]

Thanks for the tip. I have been looking for a new series lately.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Smiley also benefits from having been portrayed by Sir Alec Guinness - in a portrayal that was truly one for the ages. Le Carre was famously quoted once as saying - Smiley is no longer mine - he’s Alec Guinness’s. I have the DVD’s on Region 2 DVDs that I can only play on my computer.

[neocon1984]

How could I forget Hari Seldon?

Do you remember the robot’s name? J. Deneel something? (My Asimov books are packed away in the basement).

[youturn]

More recently I would add Kay Scarpetta but then Cornwell decided to inject her perverted lifestyle into the books. Well, I guess it’s true. You write what you know about. Tho I was unable to put down the early Scarpetta books I found myself saying “no thanks” after a while.

[PerConPat]

Smiley also benefits from having been portrayed by Sir Alec Guinness

Absolutely...And the Burton portrayal of Leamas is, for me, one of the greatest performances on film. However, Smiley enjoyed a far greater exposure both in the novels and in the excellent BBC series- Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy. It's not easy to beat a program with Guinness or Burton in the leading role.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

R. Daneel Olivaw.

[Cincinatus]

Yes, start with the first one (Flashman). There are only a dozen or so. Ripping good stuff!

[magslinger]

"Has anyone actually read The Great Gatsby out of their own free will?"

I would rather be shot at sunrise.

In a swimming pool?

[irishjuggler]

I’m totally with you. “Merricat” is a one-of-a-kind, off-the-charts great character. In fact, my first thought here was to scan the list to see where she placed. If suspect that if more people were familiar with the book, the young Miss Blackwood would be in the top 10.

[magslinger]

That list is even more worthless than I thought it would be when I read it was from NPR. Nabokov mentioned three times and Heinlein not even once! Big Obamer Brother but not John Galt!

It did start a good discussion here, though.

[blackbart.223]

"In a swimming pool?"

In front of a wall will do.

[grey_whiskers]

I must painfully confess, I haven't read too much of Christie...(I prefer Dorothy L. Sayers and Josephine Tey...)

She's on my list to get to someday...

Cheers!

[magslinger]

Literary reference. Jay Gatsby was found shot to death in his pool. BTW I didn’t remember that myself, Mrs Magslinger kind of liked The Great Gatsby, even though she read it under duress, too.

[blackbart.223]

"Literary reference. Jay Gatsby was found shot to death in his pool. BTW I didn’t remember that myself, Mrs Magslinger kind of liked The Great Gatsby, even though she read it under duress, too."

Thanks.