Sign in with Facebook
9 Book Characters You Would Want to Take a Road Trip With
Some of the most unforgettable fictional characters are fine right where they are—in fiction. After all, being fun to read about and being fun to hang out with are two very different things. (Do you want to spend the day with Gollum? Do you really?)
But then there are those characters who already feel like friends, like kindred spirits. With them, we'd endure the ultimate test in any friendship: a vacation. We asked on Facebook and Twitter: What book character would you want to go on a road trip with? Check out some of the top responses below!
HERMIONE
from the Harry Potter series
by J.K. Rowling
"She travels light, packs the essentials, and would research the heck out of a place before going there." -Stephanie
SHERLOCK HOLMES
from the Sherlock Holmes books
by Arthur Conan Doyle
"Look, man, whether you're going with the book Sherlock, Robert Downey Jr., or Benedict Cumberbatch, I'm going to be there." -Anaya
FORD PREFECT
from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books
by Douglas Adams
"I know this great restaurant at the end of the universe…." -JB
HARRY BOSCH
from the Harry Bosch series
by Michael Connelly
"He knows stuff, has great taste in music, I would be protected, and he doesn't talk too much." -Sherri
NANCY DREW
from the Nancy Drew books
by Carolyn Keene
"We'd have great adventures solving crimes, eating all the time, playing sports, and riding in Nancy's dreamy convertible!" -Diane
JO MARCH
from Title
by Louisa May Alcott
"It would be a bookish, museum-filled, intense tour with her—and we're very much alike." -Emma
KVOTHE
from The Kingkiller Chronicle
by Patrick Rothfuss
"Because he'll have some insane stories to tell." -Muhammad
JAMIE FRASER
from the Outlander series
by Diana Gabaldon
"Life is sure to be interesting as that man attracts trouble." -Tracey
THE LUGGAGE
from the Discworld series
by Terry Pratchett
"Oh shoot. How could I forget the Luggage? Of course that's the right answer." -Maria
Check out more recent blogs:
An Inside Look at 40 Years of Rock n' Roll
How Goodreads Members First Fell in Love with Reading
Exclusive: A Sneak Peek at the 10th Anniversary Edition of The Name of the Wind
But then there are those characters who already feel like friends, like kindred spirits. With them, we'd endure the ultimate test in any friendship: a vacation. We asked on Facebook and Twitter: What book character would you want to go on a road trip with? Check out some of the top responses below!
from the Harry Potter series
by J.K. Rowling
"She travels light, packs the essentials, and would research the heck out of a place before going there." -Stephanie
from the Sherlock Holmes books
by Arthur Conan Doyle
"Look, man, whether you're going with the book Sherlock, Robert Downey Jr., or Benedict Cumberbatch, I'm going to be there." -Anaya
from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books
by Douglas Adams
"I know this great restaurant at the end of the universe…." -JB
from the Harry Bosch series
by Michael Connelly
"He knows stuff, has great taste in music, I would be protected, and he doesn't talk too much." -Sherri
from the Nancy Drew books
by Carolyn Keene
"We'd have great adventures solving crimes, eating all the time, playing sports, and riding in Nancy's dreamy convertible!" -Diane
from Title
by Louisa May Alcott
"It would be a bookish, museum-filled, intense tour with her—and we're very much alike." -Emma
from The Kingkiller Chronicle
by Patrick Rothfuss
"Because he'll have some insane stories to tell." -Muhammad
from the Outlander series
by Diana Gabaldon
"Life is sure to be interesting as that man attracts trouble." -Tracey
from the Discworld series
by Terry Pratchett
"Oh shoot. How could I forget the Luggage? Of course that's the right answer." -Maria
Check out more recent blogs:
An Inside Look at 40 Years of Rock n' Roll
How Goodreads Members First Fell in Love with Reading
Exclusive: A Sneak Peek at the 10th Anniversary Edition of The Name of the Wind
Comments Showing 51-100 of 108 (108 new)
James Fraser Please!! (with hand raised up like a patient school girl).
Eule wrote: "Why Sherlock Holmes? Why travel with someone who would in turn sit there, brooding, taking drugs, experimenting, obsessively playing violin or being out, looking for clues?
Yes, you won't know wher..."
In truth, Watson is more fun. Having said that, I would love to go on a road trip with David Suchet's Poirot as well as the Harry Potter trio. I'm trying to think of others, but no one is coming to mind right now. Oh, wait... Eustace and Repeecheep from the Narnia series.
Yes, you won't know wher..."
In truth, Watson is more fun. Having said that, I would love to go on a road trip with David Suchet's Poirot as well as the Harry Potter trio. I'm trying to think of others, but no one is coming to mind right now. Oh, wait... Eustace and Repeecheep from the Narnia series.
Zachary wrote: "I 100% second this. I was very surprised to not see him on this list."
Who? You mean Poirot? He'd be the voice of maturity but a good friend, too.
Who? You mean Poirot? He'd be the voice of maturity but a good friend, too.
I’d love to meet George Smiley. So many topics to talk about!
I don't wanna be that guy but talking about Sherlock Holmes without mentioning Jeremy Brett is a big oversight!
Pamela wrote: "This is a fun list but may I add another: Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next. Who wouldn't want to be Lost in a Good Book, dive in [book:The Well of Lost Plots (Thursday Nex..."Oh yes! I've missed out on First Among Sequels so will go get it now!
Katy wrote: "Gus McCrae from Lonesome Dove. Fun-loving adventurer that would either protect your or get you killed."Sign me up, that would be fun.
This list is incomplete without "Travels with Charley."Driving across America with a standard poodle in a pickup truck with a camper in the back named "Rocinante?" Yes plz.
James wrote: "Sir John Falstaff."I totally second that one!
And the father or daughter from Inkheart 'cause then we could road trip through BOOKS!!!
Lord Byron, Sir Richard Burton (real or as written in The Fabulous Riverboat), Professor Challenger ah I could go on for ages on this one. I think I would be permanently drunk on sack if I went on a road trip with Falstaff, who would drive? I think most of the women on the list are pretty dreary and I think I would probably opt for someone a little more feisty (cannot remember her name but there was a great female character in Glory Road by Heinlein) or even Miss Marple!
Kat wrote: "Lord Byron, Sir Richard Burton (real or as written in The Fabulous Riverboat), Professor Challenger ah I could go on for ages on this one. I think I would be permanently drunk on sack if I went on ..."Miss Marple would be fun! People are always unsuspecting of her mischievous ways, and she would have some great stories.
Kelley wrote: "James wrote: "Sir John Falstaff."I totally second that one!
And the father or daughter from Inkheart 'cause then we could road trip through BOOKS!!!"
YES!!! Mo and Meggie Folchart. With that family of Silvertongues, any book character can come along on the road trip:) However, it would be dangerous.
I think Nancy Drew and Hermione would be an fun duo to go on a road trip with. If I had to choose only one, it would have to be Hermione lol
You really don't realize how many characters would actually be very dangerous and/or annoying to have on a road trip until you read the comments XDCan I just take a road trip to go visit all of them instead??
Hermoine, Kvothe and The Luggage. I'm planning lots of road trips and I want to have really good ones!
Kat wrote: "I think most of the women on the list are pretty dreary and I think I would probably opt for someone a little more feisty (cannot remember her name but there was a great female character in Glory Road by Heinlein)..."Most of Heinlein's heroines would be pretty fun to hang around. And a probably more than just a little dangerous. Friday, Podkayne, Maureen Johnson, DT Burroughs...I'd road trip with any of them!
I liked Podkkayne. I read about her over 20 years, ago.
How about a road trip with Scarlett O'Hara?
Hitch a ride with The Night Circus. I would travel with Celia or Marco anyday.. I mean night....
I can imagine the debates I could get into if Jo, Nancy and Hermione were with me and Holmes was driving... . But only if Dr. Watson's in the backseat taking notes!Unfortunately, if I wanted to add the four Hobbits into the mix, I'm afraid I'd have to have rented a full sized van!
As to where we'd go? Ultimately, the Grand Canyon and San Diego by way of Chicago and St. Louis...maybe picking up a hitchhiking Karrin Murphy or Molly Carpenter... while my main YouTube playlist's music blares. *bg*
I can see the Hobbits singing along with me on Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress) by the Hollies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLVnm...
Cindee wrote: "Hitch a ride with The Night Circus. I would travel with Celia or Marco anyday.. I mean night...."I want to travel with the Night Circus!!
Jakita wrote: "Wait, why aren't Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase on this list?"Thats what I was wondering!! Plus Leo incase the car broke down
Special agent Aloysius Pendergast (several Preston/Child novels) would definitely make things interesting while keeping the surroundings in high style. I also have always thought I would love to hang out with Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables). She talks a lot, but I'm quiet and would love to hear her stories! She sure gets into trouble a lot! :)
Ooh Yes Meggie and Mo from Inkheart! I always wanted to hang out with Laura Ingalls (handy on a road trip since she criss-crossed most of the country already) and Anne Shirley! The Ink world though is scary and dangerous but so so intriguing!
Dammit...I really am gonna need a full size rental van! How could I forget Laura?!
Hermione? Sure! or someone interesting-rare, like...Dirk Gently maybe
Ah hell, I wouldn't feel safe with them around. Most Carpathians are too damned...uh...yummy looking *blushing*
I don't know that I would either, but would make for a rather adventurous trip...
Good point, but so would my original line up: "Jo, Nancy and Hermione were with me and Holmes was driving... . But only if Dr. Watson's in the backseat taking notes!Unfortunately, if I wanted to add the four Hobbits into the mix, I'm afraid I'd have to have rented a full sized van!
As to where we'd go? Ultimately, the Grand Canyon and San Diego by way of Chicago and St. Louis...maybe picking up a hitchhiking Karrin Murphy or Molly Carpenter... while my main YouTube playlist's music blares."
Jack Reacher? Anyone? He travels the lightest lol. Plus coffee at every stop. What else do you want!?
Uday wrote: "Jack Reacher? Anyone? He travels the lightest lol. Plus coffee at every stop. What else do you want!?"It may be just me, but I like to avoid killers and fresh murder scenes, when I travel. I'm squeamish, like that.
Pamela wrote: "This is a fun list but may I add another: Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next. Who wouldn't want to be Lost in a Good Book, dive in [book:The Well of Lost Plots (Thursday Nex..."I agree. I immediately thought of Thursday when I saw this. The only downer would be that people are always trying to kill her, so there may be some bullet-ducking involved.
Inej and/or Jesper from Six of Crows. They would appreciate my innocence and would be happy to teach me some things while we explored.
Donna wrote: "Also Mary Poppins would be good. She also has only one bag and knows the best places to visit to ride on carousel horses and have tea on a ceiling. And the lady from Bedknobs and Broomsticks (playe..."Eglintine-There is a song in the movie. Love that movie by the way. Thanks for the flashback.
Oh yes Donna, It's a happy holiday with Mary!
I’d hire a minivan and road-trip with The Fellowship of the Ring (actually, dump the minivan, I reckon this definitely needs to be a walking holiday). Although, that said, I’d also love to road-trip with Holmes and Watson, though I think that’d have to be a separate trip - I’m not sure how compatible a mix the two groups would be, haha.
Gabrielle from Heist Society or Bex from Gallahger Girls Academy (both by Ally Carter)
I think it would certainly be the Great Magnus Bane... Beacuse the the trip would include teleporting :D And maybe young Raphael Santiago, the king of sass.
Yes to Samwise Gamgee! I'd take him along over Frodo any day. Bring Merry and Pippin along to balance out his seriousness and you'd have an epic road trip.
I would love to go with Amelia Peabody on her adventures. Though Egypt is too hot and dry for me, I would go on a trip around England campaigning for women's suffrage, fair treatment of animals and Egyptians. She's intelligent, well-read, always prepared and with her trusty parasol, those who may wish to harm us or rob us stand no chance. Plus, as lady doctor she would be handy in an emergency.