How do you know a book is good? One indicator is how the characters make you feel. You will love or hate them with so much passion, others will have to remind you that they’re NOT real. LOL! Remember those characters who we talked about as if they were real folks? Today we’re looking back through our archives and sharing some of our member replies via our poll back in 2001.
Be sure to share your thoughts on these characters and more. Are there any others you’d add to the list?
August 5, 2001
Who are some of the most memorable characters you’ve encountered in a book? And why?
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My favorite couple in all fiction is Joyce and Jessie B. Simple in SIMPLE SPEAKS HIS MIND. Who can forget Simple’s hardball question to the famous commentator: “Mr. Commentator, you’ve been all over the world. You’ve told us about the starving millions of Asia, the hungry children of Latin America, and all that. Mr. Commentator, ain’t you got nothing to say about my colored condition right here in the United States?” From that line, Simple became my hero and Langston Hughes my idol. Awesome. – Gwynne
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I think my most memorable characters are Rubylee from Taken for Granted and Zoe from Addicted. They were both very vivid and just well-written characters. They almost seemed real to me. -Tee
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Sugar…aaa…folks who’ve read the book will understand why and those who haven’t must read this book. – Yasmin
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Most memorable character – Socrates Fortlow in Walkin’ the Dog (and another novel) by Walter Moseley. He’s a character who has absolutely nothing material, yet he has a very full life and gives back to the community. People who may be thought as marginal, can be very deep. – Dee Mich
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First thought that came to my mind!!!! Sugar, and I agree if you read the book, you will know why, she brings to mind the quote by Oprah, “It is none of my business what other people think of me,” which is one of my favorites. – Andrea B
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The most memorable character in a book for me is Jefferson in A Lesson Before Dying. That book stayed with me a long time and then watching the movie afterwards was just as heart wrenching. I think I felt every emotion he could possibly feel sitting in that jail cell knowing that he was going to die and accepting his fate, despite his innocence. My second most memorable character would be David Lee in Sounder. What a strong and intelligent little boy he was. What stayed with me most was how he wanted to go to school and his love of reading, but realizing that neither of those options were likely for him until someone intervened. – Ladette
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I think Alex Cross and Samson in James Patterson’s books is my most memorable character. They are like the ultimate men to me. Nothing more I can say. – Lo
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Stella in How Stella Got Her Groove Back – Why? Because she had an interesting mindset, she got rid of her inhibitions, and didn’t care what others thought about her decision to be with Winston. Toyomi in Cheaters – Why? Because she was an emotional wreck. You had to watch your back around that child. And definitely John Basil Henderson – Why? Because he just don’t give a d***. – Cyd
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The memorable character in a book that I have read was Tracy from Flyy Girl, by Omar Tyree. She reminded me of myself when I was her age. Being so fly and wearing only name brand clothes and hanging out with only the finest boys. I also agree with stories on Basil, yes who can forget the famous Basil. – Tracy
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Misty and Reecy in Getting to the Good Part and Scenes of a Sistah. The friendship they had was awesome, I have always wanted a friendship with one I could trust, and know when she says something it’s for my benefit not to hurt me or put me down. Someone who truly understands what makes me tick and vice versa. Also Poppa Doc in Hearts of Men-the respect he showed everyone in his life, I wish I could do that and his wisdom, the way he presented it to you made u feel it was best to listen n heed. Troi from Like Boogie on Tuesday – her women strength and beliefs gave her what she needed when she needed it. – Missy
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Most memorable characters: Bigger – Native Son, Shelby – Friends and Lovers, *Ressy & Misty – SFAS and GTTGP, Stella – HSGHGB, Fire – Waiting in Vain, Alex Cross – J Patterson mysteries, Solomon – Beento Blackbird, *Amanda – Beyond Desire, Sugar – Sugar – aNNLo
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I will have to co-sign the choices of Basil, Winter and Bigger Thomas as most memorable for me. And I will also add Precious Jones, from Push, an abused young woman who takes control of her life through literacy. Wow, this is something I know I’ll be thinking about all day!! – Black
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I am in agreement with you on “Sugar” as well as “Winter” but when I read the question the most memorable characters that came to mind was “Fire” (male) and I don’t have to tell you why if you’ve read Waiting In Vain can I just say sexy and romantic. As for a female, I am sorry but I can not remember the characters name but she is the main character in J. California Coopers’ Wake Of The Wind because the sister was so intelligent she played the dumb role to get what she wanted and needed for her family. – Deb
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Bryce-Shame On It All [corporate hoochie] Sugar-Sugar [lost soul that you felt for] Charlotte-A Day Late [miserable, jealous} Ava-Any Way the Wind Blows [a diva who never made it] 4 Guys and Trouble-Ibn [playa who had his heart broken] Poppa Doc-Hearts of Men [Mr. Wisdom] Jada-My Brother’s Keeper [child that pulled the family together] Rubylee-Taken for Granted [unbelievable schemer] – Dawn
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Excellent question…Pilate was one of the most interesting characters that I’ve ever encountered from the Song of Solomon. Another character was Celie in the Color Purple. As a teenager, I love the book Daddy Was A Number Runner and Frances was unforgettable. What made these characters so unique to me is that either they were developed very well or I identified with them on some level. – MsCelie
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OK, folks, you must meet Malik, the deceptively despicable character in E. D. Johnson’s The Mark Of Cain. Glitz and glamour compete with ghosts of the past as Malik answers the age-old question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Go to http://home.att.net/~themarkofcain/index.html for a preview of the first four chapters. Malik is introduced in Chapter Four – “Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.” Psalm 102:2 – Anonymous
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I’ll just mention this book because it’s the latest book I’ve read that has touched me so. In Terry McMillan’s latest book, A Day Late and A Dollar Short, the mother was the most profound , most memorable and the most pivotal character for me. Viola Price, contrary to what others might believe, was your typical uneducated mother who made damn sure her kids had the opportunities that she did not. Viola’s character illustrated what has often and still is the backbone of the black community. She has the grown kids whose lives she remains a driving force in throughout the novel. Although Viola has raised these kids well, they don’t all make it to the line of success at the same time, but Viola understands that and is able to nurture each adult child and grandchild differently. She’s like an old midwife handing out medicine in doses in “guest-imated” quantities, but it’s all a really important part of being an instinctive mother.
Viola is typical. She’s not too religious. She’s no whore with a heart of gold. She’s no hypocritical mother who teaches her young to do as I do and not as I say. Most importantly, Viola Price is REAL. She is what black women, black mothers struggle so hard to be when it really takes no strength at all to just be who you are, to love yourself for who you are and to love each and everyone around you for who they are. At the same time, she does all of this with an “I won’t smother you” approach. She doesn’t lecture to the young, but she says just enough to make them thing; she utters just the right sentiments to express “I love you.”
Viola Price is the driving force in McMillan’s novel. She interacts with everyone: the husband she loves enough to let go, the three daughters she gives her womanhood to, the son she trusts enough to get his life back. Viola Price is a grandmother in this book. Sure she takes her sip sip in between asthma attacks and confrontations with her children and husband, but she is the most special lady soul for her grandkids. She’s loving and moving and praying even when they least expect. Viola Price knows more about her grandkids than their parents do, now that’s what I call a mother’s instinct. Sadly enough, but in the profundity of life, it is Viola Price’s end that brings all of the people she loves together in the end. It is this mother’s life work throughout the novel to find a level plane on which her family, all of them, could come together and recognize the ties and the love that binds them together. Viola Price is, by far, the most impressionable character in McMillan’s A Day Late and A Dollar Short. – Latorial Faison
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One of the most memorable characters I have read lately is Viola from A Day Late and A Dollar Short. I liked her because she was a lot more than the tough exterior that she portrayed to her children. She didn’t pull any punches and was at times brutally honest. But by the end of the book her children, husband and readers saw a completely different extremely sensitive and loving side of her. She had become a much more complex character that reminded me of my own grandmother. – StaceyD
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Liz, in Tumbling by Diane McKinney-Whetstone. The girl was eating walls! Come now, y’all know that was special! – Pam
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Terry Winston, The Shirt Off His Back by Parry EbonySatin Brown. Terry is a black man who daily tries to do the right thing. He is committed to his family, a loving and supportive partner, a devoted friend. Terry depicts the type of black men that are as much the norm as those we long to dog everyday. He is the good black man, the one that reminds you of your father, brother, best friend, and lover. The type of brother ever sister wants in her life.
Anya Mitchell, Joy by Victoria Christopher Murray to be released October 2001. Anya is the type of woman we strive to be. Hardworking, loving, devoted and a Christian. She is committed to stand firm on the word of God and to live a Christian life. She deals with life’s daily trials and tribulation and when the story ends, her character will make you get on your knees and check your committee to Christ. – Portia
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