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14 Favorite Book Sidekicks to Celebrate on Dr. Watson's Birthday
Is there any hero as under-appreciated as the noble sidekick? Providing sturdy emotional support, comic relief, and brain power, some so-called assistants and companions seem just as qualified, if not more qualified, than the main characters they so fearlessly follow. (We're looking at you, Samwise and Hermione.)
Today is the birthday of one of literature's most beloved and long-suffering sidekicks, Dr. John Watson. A war veteran as well as an accomplished writer and detective, Watson gives Sherlock Holmes much-needed backup and friendship, all while enduring less-than-complimentary observations about his character. "You have a grand gift for silence, Watson," Sherlock says at one point. "It makes you quite invaluable as a companion."
To celebrate the good doctor's birthday, we asked you on Facebook and Twitter to share your favorite book sidekicks. Check out some of the most popular answers below and add your own in the comments!
from Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes books
Sherlock's friend, roommate, biographer, crime-solving partner, and on-hand physician
from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books
Harry's fellow Gryffindors, friends, partners in managing mischief, frequent rescuers (mostly Hermione), and family
from Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books
Precious Ramotswe' secretary-turned-detective, confidant, business partner, and friend
from Pierce Brown's Red Rising books
Darrow's loyal follower, protector, leader of the Howlers, bawdy comic relief, and brother in arms
from Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew books
Nancy's best friends, classmates, crime-solving companions, and feisty support in bad situations (mostly George)
from C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia
Caspian's faithful soldier, leader of his Talking Mice, fellow adventurer, and preventer of calamities
from Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books
Stephanie's clerk-turned-partner, outrageous comic relief, FTA (Failure to Appear) expert, and gun-toting backup
from Kim Harrison's The Hollows books
Rachel Morgan's pixie pal, partner at Vampiric Charms, electronics expert, and protector
from Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot books
Poirot's assistant in murder investigations, scrupulous friend, chronicler, and occasional "muscle"
from Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians books
Percy's satyr best friend, guide to Camp Half-Blood, quest companion, and psychic-connection sharer
from Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar books
Bolitar's billionaire buddy, fellow taekwondo enthusiast, morally ambiguous sounding board, and defender
from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings books
Frodo Baggins' gardener, brave companion, protector, encourager, chef, and provider of piggyback rides
Did we miss your favorite book sidekicks? Share them with us in the comments!
Check out more recent blogs:
The Year's Best Audiobooks
July's Best Books of the Month
7 Great Books Hitting Shelves This Week
(Top image credit: Sherlock l Canva)
Comments Showing 1-50 of 143 (143 new)
message 1:
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Francesca
(new)
Jul 07, 2017 06:25AM
Samwise Gamgee, a sidekick? Please. He's the damn hero and everyone knows it.
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Also, I was really worried when I came onto this list that it would leave out Ron and just mention Hermione so I was really relieved to see that both of them were listed. I love them both and they're both so important in their own ways and I hate seeing Ron go unnoticed/underappreciated (which he often is).
Francesca wrote: "Samwise Gamgee, a sidekick? Please. He's the damn hero and everyone knows it."Amen, girl!! Total agreement! (Merry and Pippin are more the sidekicks)
Francesca wrote: "Also, I was really worried when I came onto this list that it would leave out Ron and just mention Hermione so I was really relieved to see that both of them were listed. I love them both and they'..."I think people only picture Ron from the movies. In those they either leave out his best lines or give them to Hermione. He is so much more than comic relief in the book. He is loyal and brave; Harry would not have made it through the books without him!
Francesca wrote: "Samwise Gamgee, a sidekick? Please. He's the damn hero and everyone knows it."YES. THANK YOU.
Nice start to the list. However, as everyone has pointed out there are others missed. Yes, Samwise is a sidekick and hero. Yes, Sancho Panza........take your pick....this list could go on forever.
Pan in His Dark Materials. I absolutely adore him.
Minho and Newt from The Maze Runner <3 !! Anybody agree xD ?
Rachael wrote: "Pan in His Dark Materials. I absolutely adore him."
AGH YES. Pan WAS SO FREAKIN' ADORABLE
AGH YES. Pan WAS SO FREAKIN' ADORABLE
Kita wrote: "Minho and Newt from The Maze Runner <3 !! Anybody agree xD ?"
Yes, I loved Newt!
Yes, I loved Newt!
Ummm...Bob the skull anyone?
Angel and Louis in the Charlie Parker series!
Rachael wrote: "Pan in His Dark Materials. I absolutely adore him."I LOVE PAN.
Hawk from Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels.
Emmie wrote: "I think people only picture Ron from the movies. In those they either leave out his best lines or give them to Hermione. He is so much more than comic relief in the book. He is loyal and brave; Harry would not have made it through the books without him! "THANK YOU! I am always saying this. It's nice to see someone who agrees!
Lord Peter Wimsey's manservant, Bunter.
Reagan ( I am positive that's her name. If I'm wrong please let me know!!:) from Fangirl. Even though she isn't a main character or main sidekick I definitely think Reagan has a big impact on the life of Cath ( the main character). In my opinion she is under appreciated for all the things she does in Caths life.
Graham and/or Dr. McConnell in the Charlie Lenox series by Charles Finch.
Sergeant Patrick Harper. Sharpes Rifles et al.
Karin wrote: "Archie Goodwin"Absolutely, came here just to see or add this! well done.
Mary Beth wrote: "Graham and/or Dr. McConnell in the Charlie Lenox series by Charles Finch."Definitely Graham! Great suggestion!
You mention Grover, but no Annabeth? Come on!
Oberon from the Iron Druid Chronicles!Also, Robin Goodfellow from the Leandros series.
'Barbara Havers' To ' Dr. Jhn. W.':"Happy Birthday Doc.,my luv to the ponce'.
Diane wrote: "Zombieslayer/Alienhunter {Gandalf The Blonde} wrote: "Ummm...Bob the skull anyone?"
Definitely should not be overlooked"
Right on. Without him, Harry would've been helpless.
Timy wrote: "Oberon from the Iron Druid Chronicles!Also, Robin Goodfellow from the Leandros series."
Yes for Oberon ❤❤❤
I was going to say Dr. Stephen Maturin from the Patrick O'Brien series, but my second thought is not to demote him to mere sidekick to Captain Aubrey. Perhaps we need a followup list of "best friends in literature"?
I love Al Giordano from the Dirk Pitt series of books by Clive Cussler. He would be my vote for best sidekick!
Reepicheep is the hardest, gangsterist mouse there ever was.
Abby wrote: "You mention Grover, but no Annabeth? Come on!"We all know Annabeth is no sidekick. She's the main reason why Percy managed to save the world so many times!
Hey, how about Peabody from the In Death series!!!!
Archie Goodwin in the Nero Wolfe mysteries is an admirable sidekick.
Kita wrote: "Minho and Newt from The Maze Runner <3 !! Anybody agree xD ?"YES TOTALLY!!
Francesca wrote: "Samwise Gamgee, a sidekick? Please. He's the damn hero and everyone knows it."TRUTH!!!
Rachael wrote: "Pan in His Dark Materials. I absolutely adore himPan is great!
I also love that Sevro from Red Rising appeared in this list
Oy, from The Dark Tower Series. Ford Perfect from the Hitchhikers Guide.
Prozac, Jaine Austen's feline sidekick in the Laura Levine mystery series. :)
I am so happy Sevro has made it to the list!
Um, this post's title says that it's John Watson's birthday, but his birthday is in April...
Kita wrote: "Minho and Newt from The Maze Runner <3 !! Anybody agree xD ?"yes yes yes
Ross wrote: "Oy, from The Dark Tower Series. Ford Perfect from the Hitchhikers Guide."Love love LOVE Oy!
