Classics Without All the Class discussion

OK, so I have a question for other readers.
Recently, I've been reading Roots-Thirtieth Anniversary Edition: The Saga of an American Family. I found myself very attached to Kunta Kinte. So much so that when the story abruptly changes view points to his daughter, Kizzy, I felt raw and bare and so sad.
It's not the first time I've been attached either.
There's Tyrion from A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. I find him stimulating to read.
Then, there was my attachment to Hannibal Lecter. I know...completely crazy, but the last two titles in the series (The Silence of the Lambs, and Hannibal) had my riveted and rooting for Hannibal.
I was attached to Mitch McDeere in The Firm. I was also attached to Ellie Arroway in Contact and the cat in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

I'm interested to know who you have all been attached to as characters...

I have been reading the Sacketts serirs by Louis L'Amour and you grow to love Barnabas Sackett so it will be interesting how this series continues now that he is dead. No spoiler here the series runs from 1600's to late 1800's people early in the series all die eventually.

Eve Dallas from the In Death series by JD Robb

I wrote my college admission essay about Nancy Drew. I feel such a personal connection to this character even though we're generations apart. I think she's a person I wish I could be, I still think she's so cool!
I also felt such an attachment to the characters in Atonement by Ian McEwan. Their story was emotionally exhausting.

I've just completed two very moving yet vastly different books. The City and the Pillar by Gore Vidal had an incredibly emotional climax with an abrupt ending. But I felt no attachment to the main character, Jim.
Contrast that to Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, to whom I grew incredibly attached to. I had a friend who was Charlie.

Tanya wrote: "OK, so I have a question for other readers.
Recently, I've been reading Roots-Thirtieth Anniversary Edition: The Saga of an American Family. I found myself very attached to Kunta Kinte. So much so..."

You and I share quite a bond. I am extremely attached to Tyrion. I have been taking my reading with that series slow due to how long it takes to get one out (lol). I say this every time a friend brings up the series, "As long as Tyrion is not dead yet...I will be okay."

My husband makes fun of me because if there is a character I do not like it pretty much disdain. But if I like one they have the most ridiculous loyalty they could hope for from me.

Other characters I have gotten attached:
Hareton from Wuthering Heights
Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter
Arya Song of Ice and Fire
Szpilman from The Pianist >/u> is one the most memorable characters I have ever read.

I've had numerous attachments over my many years of reading. I am completely attached to Kay Scarpetta in the Patricia Cornwell series. Every time she comes out with a new novel I immediately have to go buy it. I believe that's my longest running attachment.
Right now I'm reading Les Miserables for the first time. I am completely attached to Jean Valjean. Everytime the story breaks away from him I want to speed read to get back to him lol.

Oh, I form attachments when reading. Heidi's Grandfather and Goat Peter. Nearly all the "good" characters in To Kill A Mockingbird but especially Boo Radley. Right now in Les Miserables, I'm also very attached to Jean Valjean; I just love him so. Mr Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol. The six children in Swallows and Amazons but particularly Susan because she is most like me. :-) Renzo in A Thread of Grace. Gandalf!

I found myself very attached to Enzo, the dog in The Art of Racing in the Rain. Loved him!

Tanya wrote: "I've just completed two very moving yet vastly different books. The City and the Pillar by Gore Vidal had an incredibly emotional climax with an abrupt ending. But I felt no attachment to the main ..."

Charlie would be my number one pick for a character I empathized with. Arya in A Song of Ice and Fireis a close second. When Martin picks on Arya, I take it personally!

I'm also reading Les Mis! I'm now attached to Jean Valjean and deeply venerate Bishop Myriel. Oh and Enjolras is not going to be left out :)

Jessica wrote: "Tanya wrote: "OK, so I have a question for other readers.
Recently, I've been reading Roots-Thirtieth Anniversary Edition: The Saga of an American Family. I found myself very attached to Kunta Kin..."

Omg, I love Neville. :)

Karena wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Tanya wrote: "OK, so I have a question for other readers.
Recently, I've been reading Roots-Thirtieth Anniversary Edition: The Saga of an American Family. I found myself very attac..."

He is one of those characters that just never got enough respect and yet it could have been him instead of Harry. He is the one character I saw the most change in. By the last book he has become so brave in the face of fear and darkness. Love him :)

Shannon wrote: "I've had numerous attachments over my many years of reading. I am completely attached to

Kay Scarpetta in the Patricia Cornwell series. Every time she comes out with a new novel I immediately have ..."

I love and adore Kay Scarpetta. And not just her, but Lucy and Benton too. I'm not up to date on events as I haven't been able to afford to pick up the last few books...I'm on book 13 I believe?
Still, great stories, and a great female protagonist.

Jessica wrote: "Tanya wrote: "OK, so I have a question for other readers.
Recently, I've been reading Roots-Thirtieth Anniversary Edition: The Saga of an American Family. I found myself very attached to Kunta Kin..."

I've only competed two books in the Song of Ice and Fire series...I start the third one in March in time for the next season of the show to come out...
Tyrion is...fantastic. He's a well rounded character. Funny, adventurous, intelligent, and a little schemer. I'm glad I'm not the only one attached!

And Neville! Who Can forget Neville!!! Love that guy!

Leora wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I've just completed two very moving yet vastly different books. The City and the Pillar by Gore Vidal had an incredibly emotional climax with an abrupt ending. But I felt no attachmen..."

Charlie was so very special. I was disappointed in the film a little because in the film, they changed just enough that the relationships between the characters was different and thus, not as interesting.

And Arya. I understand where you're coming from. I'm quite attached to her as well. What a spitfire. I see a lot of myself in her. I am so non-conformist. lol

I was passionately behind the underdog Dan in Alcott's Little Men and Jo's Boys. I wanted to chunk the book when he was told Laurie and Amy's daughter was "too good" for him, and then he died. I really didn't care anything about the rest of them after that.

Yeah. These attachments can really get in the way of storytelling!
LOL

I read that you had an attachment to Hannibal too. You are not alone and I do not find it crazy. I think Harris wrote him in such a way that it would be hard for the reader not to sympathize with him in some way. Have you been watching the show?

Jessica wrote: "I read that you had an attachment to Hannibal too. You are not alone and I do not find it crazy. I think Harris wrote him in such a way that it would be hard for the reader not to sympathize with h..."

I'm glad I'm not alone. I've been trying to watch the show, but for some reason, the Canadian network airing it keeps changing the night the show airs so as a result, I've missed episodes here and there. At the end of the season, I'll get the DVD and watch it all in a row. :)

I love Hannibal (TV series). I'm just wondering if the show will end when they discover what he's doing. I absolutely adore Mads Mikkelsen.

I adore Mr. Grewgious from The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens. He is such a funny and likeable character. This is my favorite scene:
(view spoiler)[
'Is that a bag?' he looked hard at it, sooth to say, it required hard looking at to be seen at all in a dimly lighted room: 'and is it your property, my dear?'
'Yes sir, I brought it with me.'
'It is not an extensive bag,' said Mr. Grewgious, candidly, 'though admirably calculated to contain a day's provision for a canary-bird. Perhaps you brought a canary-bird?'
Rosa smiled and shook her head.
'If you had, he should have been made welcome,' said Mr. Grewgious, 'and I think he would have been pleased to be hung upon a nail outside and pit himself against our Staple sparrows; whose execution must be admitted to be not quite equal to their intention. Which is the case with so many of us! You didn't say what meal, my dear. Have a nice jumble of all meals.'
Rosa thanked him, but said she could only take a cup of tea. Mr. Grewgious, after several times running out, and in again, to mention such supplementary items as marmelade, eggs, watercress, salted fish, and frizzled ham, ran across to Furnival's without his hat, to give his various directions." (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Admittedly, I have not taken on Dickens yet. Just this last two years have I started to include classics (beyond the ones in high school) in my reading material. In the past, I was a non fiction junkie. But I am so very glad I expanded my horizons. As a result, this year, I vowed to read as many of the books in this group as I could, which is easy with most of them being public domain.

I like the classics so much that NEXT year I`ve decided that my goal will be monster reads. I will attempt 18 titles so about 3 weeks per title. I intend to make Dickens at least 2 titles.

I grew up watching Masterpiece Classic and always loved the adaptions of Dickens' work. Bleak House and Little Dorritt are my favorites.
Besides A Christmas Carol, I've only read The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and I am reading A Tale of Two Cities now.
Dickens is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I am in awe of the way he can have dozens of small threads of plot and different characters that don't seem to have anything in common. Then suddenly everything comes together and you have to wonder how you missed what was always there in front of you.

Amanda wrote: "I grew up watching Masterpiece Classic and always loved the adaptions of Dickens' work. Bleak House and Little Dorritt are my favorites.
Besides A Christmas Carol, I've only read The Mystery of E..."

I'm currently reading Tale of Two Cities as well. As much as I love Dickens, I'm having a hard time figuring out if this is my first or second reading. (hangs head in literary shame) I can't recall actually reading the book but some sections are so familiar. If you read anymore Dickens' titles I suggest David Copperfield. I think that's a really good read.

And yes, Dickens' ability to interwine plot threads is amazing. I liked Bleak House. Mr. Guppie (sp?) gave me the absolute willies! *shivers, haha

Susan wrote: "Mr. Guppie (sp?) gave me the absolute willies! *shivers, haha "
LOL! It was so creepy the way he was stalking her everywhere! I don't know the actor's name, but every time I see him in other shows/movies I turn to my husband and say 'there's Mr. Guppie.' He's one of those characters that you can't forget, just because of his pure weirdness.


I'll try out David Copperfield next! :)

Francie wrote: "I love Hannibal (TV series). I'm just wondering if the show will end when they discover what he's doing. I absolutely adore Mads Mikkelsen."

The series is so much more than I hope for. I was not keen on watching because I am a fan of Anthony Hopkins in the role of Hannibal. I was skeptical about all the talk it was getting. I didn't know, until last week when I began watching it, that Mads was Hannibal. If I had known that sooner, I would have been sold. I love that man! Casino Royale would not have been the same without him.

I can't wait to see what happens this week!!

Not sure how the show will end. I hope the leave kind of like the books...he never really gets caught, they just figure out that he was/is the culprit. I think that's what made the books and movies so likeable, for me. I was rooting for Hannibal, oddly enough and didn't want him to get caught. His intelligence, love for the arts, passion for cooking, and respect for the intelligence of others (Clarice) made me like him. Have you read the books, Francie?

Jessica wrote: "Francie wrote: "I love Hannibal (TV series). I'm just wondering if the show will end when they discover what he's doing. I absolutely adore Mads Mikkelsen."

The series is so much more than I hope ..."

Jessica: I find myself rooting for Hannibal, also; he's so sophisticated in an evil sort of way. I haven't read the books yet (on my ever-growing to-read list) but have seen the movies and do love Anthony Hopkins, but I have to admit that Mads brings a sexiness to the role, don't you think? Did you see him in King Arthur? I've also watched a few of his Danish films (A Royal Affair was particularly good).

I will have to watch some more of his films. The only ones I have seen are casino Royale and Valhala Rising. I agree with you, there is definitely a sexiness he brings (he was physically blessed as I say). What are some other films he was in?

Jessica wrote: "I will have to watch some more of his films. The only ones I have seen are casino Royale and Valhala Rising. I agree with you, there is definitely a sexiness he brings (he was physically blessed as..."

Was Valhala Rising good? It's on my watchlist on Kindle or Netflix (I forget which one). I recently watched Prague (or Prag in Danish), which was different. A few others he was in are: The Three Musketeers (2011); Clash of Titans; Flame and Citrone; Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky. I'm going to try to watch Coco & Igor this weekend since I'm not working. There are quite a few other Danish productions, but they're hard to get at Amazon or Netflix. He seems to be doing more American films this year; has four coming up in 2013 and one so far in 2014 (Pompeii, which I'm looking forward to immensely). Hope you can check some of the others out and let me know what you think of them.

Francie wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I will have to watch some more of his films. The only ones I have seen are casino Royale and Valhala Rising. I agree with you, there is definitely a sexiness he brings (he was physi..."

Valhala Rising was a great movie. I will say, it is pretty graphic/bloody due to the nature of things. There isn't a whole lot of dialogue. It's one of those you have to pay attention to the action/acting of the characters for the story. I enjoyed it. I thought it showed off Micklesen's acting skills really well.

I am going to add those movies to my Netflix que. I have Coco and Chanel on my que but haven't gotten to see it. You must tell me your thoughts on it after you watch it! It's one of those movies I keep wanting to bump to the top of my que but I don't think my husband is going to be as excited about it as I am, lol. Thanks for the add btw. :)

My love for, crush on, and rooting for Hannibal is part of the reason I started this thread! It was the first time since childhood that I was attached so strongly to a character.

I have no opinion on Mads yet because I have not seen Casino Royal yet. I will get on that post haste :)

But I do really love that the series is differentiating itself from the original fiction, Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs. At that point, Hannibal is a secondary character that inevitably steals the show. Eventually we got Hannibal, a brilliant third volume and only later we got Hannibal Rising.

Now we are getting a different Hannibal altogether. A main character with several more dimensions than we previously saw. If they stay true to the general guideline in the series, we know where this series will ultimately end. But I absolutely cannot spoil that for anyone. ;)

The proper order to read the books in is Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising. Otherwise, you're not getting the right picture as intended by Harris.

As for the series, you're all making me very excited to watch it. I can't wait to get my hands on the whole first season and just binge :)

Totally understand being attached to Tyrion from GoT. I think I give myself an ulcer every time I think about how long it will be until the next book is out. This is not a solitary case for me though, if a book is written well, I will become very very attached to the characters. Hannibal is a great example too. I also got very attached to almost all of the characters in Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth and World Without End.

I am totally into Daenerys, Cersei and Sansa, in GoT. In the Pillars of the Earth, Ariena was my favourite, as Anne Boleyn in The Tudors. In literature without TV shows related, my matches are Kitty from Anna Karenina and Catherine from Withering Heights.

Becky wrote: "Totally understand being attached to Tyrion from GoT. I think I give myself an ulcer every time I think about how long it will be until the next book is out. This is not a solitary case for me thou..."

Yeah, Tyrion is my favorite character in GoT. As is Arya. I have no patience whatsoever with Cersei. I hate her and I hope he kills her off like so manyother characters! LOL

Tanya wrote: "Becky wrote: "Totally understand being attached to Tyrion from GoT. I think I give myself an ulcer every time I think about how long it will be until the next book is out. This is not a solitary ca..."

My boyfriend and I were just wondering yesterday if anyone actually likes Cersei. lol I like Asha Greyjoy, she's feisty.

Haven't gotten to Asha much yet.
But I still have book 4 and 5 to read. I'm not rushing through them. I must savour each and every moment I'm reading the books.

I found myself very attached to Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. His character was just so unique but also very likeable, I felt I could understand him completely, he is really similar to me.
I also grow very attached to Hazel Grace from The Fault in Our Stars. I just cried every time she did, and when te book ended I couldn't believe it, I was in denial. I guess the book is just so touching and beautiful that you can't just help loving it and its caracters.

I think I could say I was attached to Jake Donaghue in Under the Net by Iris Mordoch and Newland Archer in The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton.

I was (and still am) attached to Simon from Lord of the Flies as well as Prince Hal/Henry V from Shakespeare's plays. Both are amazing and complex characters. I just love them so much! Words can't possibly explain.

Aliena from The Pillars of the Earth.

The loyal and noble D'Artagnan in all the series of Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers

I've read two John Irving titles this year, A Prayer for Owen Meany, where I became insanely attached to Owen and The Cider House Rules where I was attached and comforted by Homer Wells.

I can't wait for 2014's characters that are waiting for me.

I was so attached to Rudy from The Book Thief. I get attached to people who write memoirs also.

I never recovered from Dumbledore's death in Harry Potter. I refuse to read the last book in the series because I don't want to have to cope with losing anyone else in the series. I also walked around in a funk for weeks after my daughter and I finished the marathon 16 discs of The Tudors. Losing Jeremy Northam (Sir Thomas More) was devastating and after finishing the series I felt like I'd lost my whole family.

Mick Kelly from The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I felt such a strong connection with her when I first read the book in high school. I even wrote my college admissions essay about Mick Kelly and her influence on me.

Karen wrote: "I never recovered from Dumbledore's death in Harry Potter. I refuse to read the last book in the series because I don't want to have to cope with losing anyone else in the series. I also walked a..."


Dumbledore's death caused me a deep darkness too. It is a good thing that you stopped reading because in the last book, Hedwig, the owl, died which caused me to curse the book, throw it down, give away my copy, and refuse to ever read it. Fortunately, I have kept to my self-promise too. I loved Hedwig.

I have a deeeeeep love for the pioneer husband in These Is My Words. I still think about him. I miss him.

Oh, definitely, loads. Some characters haunt me after reading (or watching... TV show and stage / musical characters can suck me in, too), for example, Lizzy, Jane, Darcy and Bingley from Pride and Prejudice - I am still imagining them to have lunches together every two weeks or so :). But also Frankie from Member of the Wedding, Ashton and Mick from The Caretaker, Julia from Theatre...

These are some great and varied characters!!
I'm so glad my thread brought these emotions out in people.