Play Book Tag discussion

What literary character or type of character do you most closely identify with and why?

I mostly identify with the best friend of the main character in a murder mystery. So in most murder mysteries the main character, normally the person framed for the murder, has a best friend. They show up at the beginning of the boom showing support for the main character. Offering help if needed. Then they disappear. Their life really unaltered by the conspiracy and events going on in their friends life. They pop in now and then trying to be helpful and offer good advice, worried about their friend. Sometimes even help out gather information or cover up potential evidence. However, they tend to subtlely question their friends innocence before they disappear from the story again. Then there he is again at the end of the book saying I knew you were innocent all along and the friendship continues but things just aren't the same. I'm that guy. Uneventful, unexciting friend.

Last night I was asking some folks in the theater world similar question: what is your dream role, the character you most like to play and feel connected with? And does that change over time? Certainly, I think my dream rolls and pieces of music I like to sing and to connect with has absolutely changed over time. But I think every now and then there is a heroine in a book that just speaks to you, and feels like you. I have copied whole passages from Starbucks at once in my life and shared it around, to say to friends and family, hey look, isn't this me? I think I felt that way on the opening pages of Three Daughters, not the entire character, maybe just that particular circumstance she was in, and the thoughts that were swirling through her head. I next found it in the character of Sophie in Liane Moriarty's The Last Anniversary. She's a younger version of me, but something about the quality of her character and personality I felt a true affinity for. I actually think I don't find that experience a whole lot, where I really relate. Books Are more transporting that way. I'll have to think if there's a TV character that speaks to me. Nine comes immediately to mind.

Jason wrote: "What literary character or type of character do you most closely identify with and why?"

Thanks for posting these fun, thought provoking questions! I definitely need to give this one some further thought before responding. It's not something I've ever considered before . . .

Amy, I agree most books are transporting and a deep relation to a character is rare. I didn't think about relating to different characters at different times of your life though. I tend to find I would like to be more like a certain character more than feeling they are a representation of me.

Anita, You are welcome. I love conversations and different ideas and how other people see or react to ideas or situations. It is one of the reasons I love to read. I look forward to your response.

So after giving it some thought, I'm not sure there is a particular literary character that I truly relate to, but I do relate, in general, to characters who struggle with their parents. Mine are divorced, and while I certainly didn't have the most traumatic childhood, I can absolutely say that childhood was the worst time of my life thus far. So, I honestly related strongly to the protagonist in Hot Milk and the daughter in My Name Is Lucy Barton. The novels I find most interesting tend to discuss the dysfunction and anomalies found in family life.

Anita, have you read A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler. It was good book centering on the struggles of family.

I'm sorry you childhood was difficult for you. Though our childhoods were different my mother died when I was 10 so I know how a tramatic event, divorce or death or abuse, can alter a childhood dramatically.

Jason wrote: "Anita, have you read A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler. It was good book centering on the struggles of family.

I'm sorry you childhood was difficult for you. Though our childhoods were differe..."

I haven't read that one, Jason! Thank you for the recommendation. I will definitely add it to my list. Seriously, I shouldn't be complaining because I've had it a lot better than so many children. I will say that at this point, at age 51, only about a third of my life was "childhood" and the other two thirds has more than made up for it.

I'm excited to check out the Tyler book.

It’s a wonderful book Anita. I think you’ll like it. There are elements that I really related to as well.

There isn't one. There are very few I can closely identify with that I can think of. People and characters are all so individual.

Spoil of Blue Thread is STILL on my TBR after a thousand years. It must be number three.

Susie wrote: "It’s a wonderful book Anita. I think you’ll like it. There are elements that I really related to as well."

Oh good! That makes me feel that it is even more promising for me.