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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Atticus on August 5, 2004, at 13:53:15
OK, this is a two-part query, and might draw some fun and interesting answers. (Since I'm new to this board, someone may have done this before; in that case, sorry about that.) First, which literary character do you most identify with? And second, if you could, which literary character would you most like to be? Tell us a little about the reasons for your choices. I'll get the ball rolling. I most identify with John Yossarian in Joseph Heller's "Catch-22", who is trying to cope with a world and personal situation fraught with black humor, loss, and an endless series of absurdities. I also share his cheeky contempt for authority. The answer to the second part would be my namesake from Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird". He exemplifies the kind of decency, kindness, idealism, and stability that I wish I had a lot more of myself. Any other takers? Atticus
Posted by Jai Narayan on August 5, 2004, at 15:28:45
In reply to So, what character would you like to be?, posted by Atticus on August 5, 2004, at 13:53:15
Nancy Drew because she was always solving mysteries and becoming the hero.
I loved the older woman character in Mama Day. She was a wise woman who knew the ancient wisdom and folk potions of her local community.
Tony Hillerman's Inspector Leaphorn. He's very spiritual and solves murder mysteries.I see a theme here.
Posted by Noa on August 6, 2004, at 4:41:58
In reply to Re: So, what character would you like to be?, posted by Jai Narayan on August 5, 2004, at 15:28:45
I have to think some more about which character I'd like to be. I agree with you about Atticus Finch.
One character that I can identify with at least in part is Garp ("The World According to Garp" by John Irving) in terms of his experience of the impossibility of trying to control one's life and world. One aspect of this that I was especially aware of when reading the book is that he works so hard to try to protect his family from the harms the world can bring and then turns out to be the source of destruction himself. OK, maybe I have a particularly dark reading of the book??? I don't know but I related to the idea of needing to accept that one cannot control the world around us or control our lives.
I have more characters that I identify with--I will add more to this thread later on.
Posted by Atticus on August 6, 2004, at 8:17:39
In reply to Re: So, what character would you like to be?, posted by Noa on August 6, 2004, at 4:41:58
Hi Noa,
Actually, I don't think that's an unusually dark take on the book, although perhaps the vendetta of the tongueless Ellen Jamesians is a bit of a wild card that Garp can't be held completely responsible for. On the other hand, I think Garp's desire for control and to protect those he loves from harm is clearly expressed in his story "The World According to Bensonhaver." (Not sure if I got the cop's name quite right -- been a long time since I read that book.) The cynical Bensonhaver expresses his admiration for the way the rape victim has killed her attacker, and he even destroys evidence, tossing out the blood-filled condom. I think it's an allegory for taking back control in a world full of random, meaningless brutality. Atticus
Posted by NikkiT2 on August 6, 2004, at 12:34:01
In reply to So, what character would you like to be?, posted by Atticus on August 5, 2004, at 13:53:15
THe book I always most want to be in when I read it is "Snow Crash" by Neal Stephenson.. I love the main character - Hiro Protaganist (I think its the Samuri Swords he has and uses to perfection!).. Or the female main character in the book Y.T as she is just so cool!!
The book is set partly in a virtual world, and that for obvous reasons really appeals to me!
But, as a rule, I fall deeply in love with what ever book I am reading (well, if its a good book that I am enjoying) and end up wanting to be in that book!! So this week I want to be living in "Little Women".. Jo is one I itendify with most.. but I'd like to be Meg too - all lady like and beautiful!!!
Posted by Atticus on August 6, 2004, at 16:27:00
In reply to Re: So, what character would you like to be?, posted by NikkiT2 on August 6, 2004, at 12:34:01
I am a huge Neal Stephenson fan, and really loved "Snow Crash", too. Have you read Stephenson's "The Diamond Age"? I enjoyed it even more than "Snow Crash". Have you dipped into the other cyberpunk sci-fi writers? William Gibson's "Neuromancer", with its incredibly vivid and richly detailed world, characters, and even slang (i.e. "meat puppets") really blew me away when I encountered it. Another favorite is Bruce Sterling's "Holy Fire". Of the three authors, I think Gibson generally has the most beautiful prose (although I found his most recent effort, "Pattern Recognition", to be a major disappointment), but Stephenson has that wonderful, wicked, black sense of humor. Atticus
Posted by NikkiT2 on August 6, 2004, at 16:55:04
In reply to Re: So, what character would you like to be? » NikkiT2, posted by Atticus on August 6, 2004, at 16:27:00
*grinning* I so rarely come across fellow Stephenson fans.. I loved "Diamond Age" too, and plan on a re-read soon.. would be around the 10th read of it *l* But for me, Snow Crash just edges past.
"Zodiac" by him is also great.. Eco Warrior kind of book..
"The Big U" was a dissapointment.. But "At the beginning was the command line" was a good geek read *l*
I've not read the others he's written yet.. My hsband has, and enjoyed them alot, but they're just way to heavy for me to read as I have a dodgy arm.I've "Neuromancer", but I have to admit it really went totally over my head. Its my husbands favourite book and his online handle is from that. He's a HUGE HUGE Gibson fan, member of his message boards, met him blah blah blah!!
I did read a books of short stories by him that I loved.. "Burning Chrome".Ah.. Not read "Holy Fire" yet either.. I can actually see it from where I am sitting! I should give it a go!
Go spread the Neal Stephenson word.. everyone should read Diamond Age and Snow Crash!!
Posted by Atticus on August 6, 2004, at 21:22:29
In reply to Re: So, what character would you like to be? » Atticus, posted by NikkiT2 on August 6, 2004, at 16:55:04
I meant to mention "Burning Chrome", and how much I liked it, but I couldn't remember its name!
Thanks! It's here in one of my bookcases somewhere. I have to agree with your husband: "Neuromancer" may be the best sci-fi book I've ever read. It just plunges you pell-mell into such a fully realized world. It was Gibson's first novel, and I really don't think he's matched it since. So let me guess: Is your husband's online handle "Case"? If I were a woman, I'd certainly go by the name of my favorite recurring Gibson character, the mercenary Molly Millions. Still, these days I think nanotech is where it's at, and the cyber-age that Gibson predicted is so fully under way that some of his subsequent stuff seems a little bit dated at this point. Come to think of it, I may give "The Diamond Age" another spin myself. :) Atticus
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