I LOVE this article. I’m so glad Kya Clark got some honourable mentions in the comments. I’d like to think I’m a Jo, but probably more of a Meg who doesn’t realise I’m an Amy! I hope that I have a little of Katniss’s tenacity and I can knit like Laura Ingalls!
"I’ve never been somebody that’s needed a large group of friends."
Wow. I thought I was the only one.
I really enjoyed your post, it's so well written and I love these characters too. Anne, Alice, and Scarlet are my favorite. I must admit I do like Melonie Hamilton too, she may not appear as strong, though she kind of gradually befriended me.
I have slipped into the world of YA fantasy, a huge divergence from my usual genre, but I have read the A Court of Thorn and Roses series and also the Fourth Wing series and I think the characters of Feyre and Violet are who I wished I could have been 10 years ago! I’ve also sworn that when my daughters are older and they come to me and tell me they are in love, they have to go away and read these series of books - any of them by Sarah J Mass, and if the love they are feeling matches how they feel reading these books, then they can be sure it’s real love!
Oh yes, Anne was definitely one of my girl crushes when I was young! I also loved Chris from Sunset Song (Lewis Grassic Gibbon) - I really identified with her and loved her quiet and un-judgmental nature and her internal world.
Yes! It's a really fine book, isn't it, and maybe a bit of a hidden gem, though perhaps not to a Scottish readership, I think I bought it on holiday in Scotland. There was a good radio dramatisation of it a while back, possibly still available somewhere. I find it remarkable that it was written by a man of that period; it's really a very feminist work, the understanding and unflinching depiction of the struggles of women are very strong, and quite bleak at times.
Of course! I sometimes think I can almost forgive Meredith his god-awful impenetrable writing for his awareness and sympathy for the plight of women. Still couldn't get to the end of 'Anna of the Crossways' mind!
Hi Molly! What a great read! I identify with Anne from Anne of Green Gables and Kya Clark from Where The Crawdads Sing. I have Anne's fierce, fiery, romantic side, which is tempered by Kya's strong, quiet, independent ways. I am very introverted - to the point most people do not see me out and about, unless I am at work Mon - Thurs. I prefer a small select group, as well as Nature rain, snow, sleet, or shine. Have a good one!
Hi Molly-I live on an island and was drawn to your theme of writing awhile back- love this post. As a daughter raised by a divorced and eccentric father at an early age, reading books with strong female characters was my escape and shaped my identity. He would take me to the library and I would only read books with females as the lead character. Pippi Longstocking was one of my early role models-I still dry the floor after mopping with towels on my feet- because of her hilarious adventures. Her independence, resilience, and sunny side up approach to life breathed life into imagination. Thank you! 😊
We have the same quietness, I used to read the secret seven or the famous five books, then I got into reading about different cultures, religions, psychology, I don't read much fiction since my 20's, more nature, conservation, health, music, memoirs of amazing people, books - Elizabeth Gilbert, Julia Cameron, Isabella Tree, John Lewis Stemple etc A beautiful book I love is 'The Snow People' by Marie Herbert, wife of adventurer Wally Herbert, she wrote a few - amazing
Thank you Molly and very interesting to hear everyone's comments. Jane Austen books are my favourite and the female leads in them. They are so individual and even unexciting Fanny Price has a quiet courage to admire. Catherine Morland is such an unlikely heroine who learns so much during the duration of the novel. Anne Elliot is patient and cautious a character yet like all of Jane Austen's heroine's she learns so much. Oh and Emma! well she is always interesting and entertaining! I always think that Elizabeth Bennet is pretty rude to Darcy, just shows the women back then were not all shy and retiring! Elinor is so thoughtful, reserved and dutiful while Marianne is vivacious and innocently romantic and does suffer so much in a way that everyone else has to hear about it which is just so funny and delightful!
Love these. Mine? Jilly Coppercorn from the novels of Charles de Lint. Her life displays much that was really bad but she keeps her wonder and her belief in otherworldly places and people
Taylor from “Pigs in Heaven” by Barbara Kingsolver, Anne from “Persuasion” by Jane Austen and Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum!! I also loved Eleanor and all three fictional women from “Weyward”. I know there’s more but these are the ones who always show up! 🌸
This is such a fun way to share books! These are some lovely recommendations, and I love so many of the women brought out here. Marianne Dashwood and Alice (in Wonderland) in particular!
If I had to pick one fictional woman who had a great influence on me, it would be Mary Bennet in The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow. My mum picked this up for me from the supermarket during the pandemic - I did not have high hopes, and am not often a fiction reader. BUT the combination of classic storyline, poetry appreciation, romance and countryside hooked me and it's become one of my favourite books of all time. I feel so much affinity with Mary and think we would be great friends if she had lived in this time (and been real!).
I love knowing the science behind how I live my life, so I can now "justify" how I am 🤣🤣🤣❤️. I'm just now becoming my own subject of writing as an experiment. Creating my own heroine for my future self to read about for inspiration. So far I like how it is going. Thank you for showing me the "why" my brain likes living this way so much!
What a brilliant concept. I love it.
Anne Shirley would top my list too. Also Charlotte, the pig-saving spider.
Hmmm. I may need to borrow your idea and share it with my own subscribers soon.
Thanks for the inspiration...and brava!
I'm so glad you enjoyed! :)
I LOVE this article. I’m so glad Kya Clark got some honourable mentions in the comments. I’d like to think I’m a Jo, but probably more of a Meg who doesn’t realise I’m an Amy! I hope that I have a little of Katniss’s tenacity and I can knit like Laura Ingalls!
I love the Little Woman characters too! Great to see them mentioned :)
"I’ve never been somebody that’s needed a large group of friends."
Wow. I thought I was the only one.
I really enjoyed your post, it's so well written and I love these characters too. Anne, Alice, and Scarlet are my favorite. I must admit I do like Melonie Hamilton too, she may not appear as strong, though she kind of gradually befriended me.
So glad you enjoyed and I admire Melonie too! :)
These are brilliant characters!
I have slipped into the world of YA fantasy, a huge divergence from my usual genre, but I have read the A Court of Thorn and Roses series and also the Fourth Wing series and I think the characters of Feyre and Violet are who I wished I could have been 10 years ago! I’ve also sworn that when my daughters are older and they come to me and tell me they are in love, they have to go away and read these series of books - any of them by Sarah J Mass, and if the love they are feeling matches how they feel reading these books, then they can be sure it’s real love!
A court of thorn and roses is on my TBR list as I've heard great things and would love to read more fantasy! Excited to meet these characters :)
Oh yes, Anne was definitely one of my girl crushes when I was young! I also loved Chris from Sunset Song (Lewis Grassic Gibbon) - I really identified with her and loved her quiet and un-judgmental nature and her internal world.
Oh Chris sounds wonderful! :)
Yes! It's a really fine book, isn't it, and maybe a bit of a hidden gem, though perhaps not to a Scottish readership, I think I bought it on holiday in Scotland. There was a good radio dramatisation of it a while back, possibly still available somewhere. I find it remarkable that it was written by a man of that period; it's really a very feminist work, the understanding and unflinching depiction of the struggles of women are very strong, and quite bleak at times.
That's strange isn't it, though there are always sensitive men!
Of course! I sometimes think I can almost forgive Meredith his god-awful impenetrable writing for his awareness and sympathy for the plight of women. Still couldn't get to the end of 'Anna of the Crossways' mind!
Completely agree, it's quite astounding. I went on to read the sequels in 'A Scots Quair' - beautiful books.
Sunset Song is a wonderful book and I agree Chris is a quiet yet strong heroine.
It's my favourite ever book - I adore it!
Hi Molly! What a great read! I identify with Anne from Anne of Green Gables and Kya Clark from Where The Crawdads Sing. I have Anne's fierce, fiery, romantic side, which is tempered by Kya's strong, quiet, independent ways. I am very introverted - to the point most people do not see me out and about, unless I am at work Mon - Thurs. I prefer a small select group, as well as Nature rain, snow, sleet, or shine. Have a good one!
Oh Kya is a great pick! I loved that book :)
yes, i'd forgotten about kya in "where the crawdads sing". another perfect character. thank you for reminding me, alicia-marie.
This was a gorgeous read!! Jane Eyre & Eleanor O are also two of mine Xx
They are such wonderful characters :)
🌹
Hi Molly-I live on an island and was drawn to your theme of writing awhile back- love this post. As a daughter raised by a divorced and eccentric father at an early age, reading books with strong female characters was my escape and shaped my identity. He would take me to the library and I would only read books with females as the lead character. Pippi Longstocking was one of my early role models-I still dry the floor after mopping with towels on my feet- because of her hilarious adventures. Her independence, resilience, and sunny side up approach to life breathed life into imagination. Thank you! 😊
Ah I've never met Pippi but she sounds like a wonderful character! I spent a lot of time in the library as a child too :)
We have the same quietness, I used to read the secret seven or the famous five books, then I got into reading about different cultures, religions, psychology, I don't read much fiction since my 20's, more nature, conservation, health, music, memoirs of amazing people, books - Elizabeth Gilbert, Julia Cameron, Isabella Tree, John Lewis Stemple etc A beautiful book I love is 'The Snow People' by Marie Herbert, wife of adventurer Wally Herbert, she wrote a few - amazing
I love your idea of including memoirs here! Some wonderful people :)
Thank you Molly and very interesting to hear everyone's comments. Jane Austen books are my favourite and the female leads in them. They are so individual and even unexciting Fanny Price has a quiet courage to admire. Catherine Morland is such an unlikely heroine who learns so much during the duration of the novel. Anne Elliot is patient and cautious a character yet like all of Jane Austen's heroine's she learns so much. Oh and Emma! well she is always interesting and entertaining! I always think that Elizabeth Bennet is pretty rude to Darcy, just shows the women back then were not all shy and retiring! Elinor is so thoughtful, reserved and dutiful while Marianne is vivacious and innocently romantic and does suffer so much in a way that everyone else has to hear about it which is just so funny and delightful!
I love this summary of the Austen heroines! Thank you for sharing :)
Love these. Mine? Jilly Coppercorn from the novels of Charles de Lint. Her life displays much that was really bad but she keeps her wonder and her belief in otherworldly places and people
We've never met but Jilly sounds wonderful! :)
Taylor from “Pigs in Heaven” by Barbara Kingsolver, Anne from “Persuasion” by Jane Austen and Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum!! I also loved Eleanor and all three fictional women from “Weyward”. I know there’s more but these are the ones who always show up! 🌸
Oh Weyward is on my TBR list so excited you mentioned them! :)
I forgot Emma Bovary. Just thinking of the book breaks my heart
This is such a fun way to share books! These are some lovely recommendations, and I love so many of the women brought out here. Marianne Dashwood and Alice (in Wonderland) in particular!
If I had to pick one fictional woman who had a great influence on me, it would be Mary Bennet in The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow. My mum picked this up for me from the supermarket during the pandemic - I did not have high hopes, and am not often a fiction reader. BUT the combination of classic storyline, poetry appreciation, romance and countryside hooked me and it's become one of my favourite books of all time. I feel so much affinity with Mary and think we would be great friends if she had lived in this time (and been real!).
I loved Eleanor too. I wrote a post about her. She is so love able.
She really is!
I love knowing the science behind how I live my life, so I can now "justify" how I am 🤣🤣🤣❤️. I'm just now becoming my own subject of writing as an experiment. Creating my own heroine for my future self to read about for inspiration. So far I like how it is going. Thank you for showing me the "why" my brain likes living this way so much!
That sounds very exciting! I'm so glad you enjoyed :)