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The Fictional 100: Ranking the Most Influential Characters in World Literature and Legend
Some of the most influential and interesting people in the world are fictional. Sherlock Holmes, Huck Finn, Pinocchio, Anna Karenina, Genji, and Superman, to name a few, may not have walked the Earth (or flown, in Superman's case), but they certainly stride through our lives. They influence us personally: as childhood friends, catalysts to our dreams, or even fantasy lovers. Peruvian author and presidential candidate Mario Vargas Llosa, for one, confessed to a lifelong passion for Flaubert's Madame Bovary. Characters can change the world. Witness the impact of Solzhenitsyn's Ivan Denisovich, in exposing the conditions of the Soviet Gulag, or Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom, in arousing anti-slavery feeling in America. Words such as quixotic, oedipal, and herculean show how fictional characters permeate our language. This list of the Fictional 100 ranks the most influential fictional persons in world literature and legend, from all time periods and from all over the world, ranging from Shakespeare's Hamlet [1] to Toni Morrison's Beloved [100]. By tracing characters' varied incarnations in literature, art, music, and film, we gain a sense of their shape-shifting potential in the culture at large. Although not of flesh and blood, fictional characters have a life and history of their own. Meet these diverse and fascinating people. From the brash Hercules to the troubled Holden Caulfield, from the menacing plots of Medea to the misguided schemes of Don Quixote, The Fictional 100 runs the gamut of heroes and villains, young and old, saints and sinners. Ponder them, fall in love with them, learn from their stories the varieties of human experience--let them live in you.
- GenresNonfiction
496 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
About the author
Lucy Pollard-Gott
2 books44 followersLucy Pollard-Gott, PhD, is an author, psychologist, and critic whose research has centered on the psychology of the arts. She has published articles about the structure of fairy tales, what happens with repeated listening to music, the social psychology of our interactions with fictional characters, and her discovery of fractals in the poetry of Wallace Stevens. She likes to tinker with her website, fictional100.com, or talk with wonderful folks on Twitter (@Fictional100) or Goodreads about their favorite fictional characters. She has just moved her blog, The Fictional 100, to fictional100.wordpress.com. She likes to blog about new sightings of her characters, especially in books, films, and television.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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August 26, 2010This is the current edition of my book! If you have found it, and enjoyed it, please let me know! Thanks.
April 7, 2022
Reading for NonFic November 2015 and
Travel the World in Books
5* excellent reference / handbook
Travel the World in Books
5* excellent reference / handbook
February 17, 2019
Fascinating presentation of the 100 most influential characters in world literature and legend. A must for all serious readers.
VERDICT: Smart presentation and ranking of literary characters, across countries and times. If you believe in diversity in literature and consider yourself a lover of books, you absolutely need to have this reference volume on your shelf.
my full review is here:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2015/10/02/...
VERDICT: Smart presentation and ranking of literary characters, across countries and times. If you believe in diversity in literature and consider yourself a lover of books, you absolutely need to have this reference volume on your shelf.
my full review is here:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2015/10/02/...
September 16, 2016
Some fictional characters step out of the pages to become cultural icons that influence more than one reader at at time.
Lucy Pollard-Gott was inspired to identify the top 100 fictional characters based on their impact on history, the arts, their longevity, and intergenerational appeal. Each character is presented with an epigraph in their own words, a synopsis of the story, an analysis of the character, and a history of their reinterpretation over time in the media and the arts.
Few people may still read R. L. Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, but because the story has been made into movies, Jekyll/Hyde has become universally recognized. Jean Valjean of Les Miserables found fame in Le Miz but I doubt many of his fans ever read the Victor Hugo book with its long sections on French history.
The characters exclude any based on historical figures but do include legendary ones. They are culled from literary traditions across time and the world.
Hamlet ranks as No. 1 on the list. Interpretation of Hamelt's character has fueled many a critical and psycholoical study, and actors and directors continue to bring their own slant. The play's influence is international; there is a huge Shakespeare following in Japan today. (World's Elsewhere by Andrew Dickson is about the Bard's international influence.)
Following Hamlet in the rankings are Odyssus (Ulysses), Don Quixote, Eve, Genji, Don Juan, Chia Pao-yu, and Sherlock Holmes. Many readers will recognize most of these names. Chia Pao-yu, though, was new to me and reading the chapter offered me an education in Chinese literature.
Dream of the Red Chamber was published in 1792 and addresses 'universal issues of the human heart' that are 'explored through the destiny of one fragile, enigmatic boy--Chia Pao-yu".
I enjoyed looking for my favorite characters and reading their essays. Another time I will decide to read about the characters from books I have not read, after which I expect some TBR books will appear on my wish list. This is a nice resource for a reader's library.
I received a free book from the author through a give-a-way. This does not influence my review.
Lucy Pollard-Gott was inspired to identify the top 100 fictional characters based on their impact on history, the arts, their longevity, and intergenerational appeal. Each character is presented with an epigraph in their own words, a synopsis of the story, an analysis of the character, and a history of their reinterpretation over time in the media and the arts.
Few people may still read R. L. Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, but because the story has been made into movies, Jekyll/Hyde has become universally recognized. Jean Valjean of Les Miserables found fame in Le Miz but I doubt many of his fans ever read the Victor Hugo book with its long sections on French history.
The characters exclude any based on historical figures but do include legendary ones. They are culled from literary traditions across time and the world.
Hamlet ranks as No. 1 on the list. Interpretation of Hamelt's character has fueled many a critical and psycholoical study, and actors and directors continue to bring their own slant. The play's influence is international; there is a huge Shakespeare following in Japan today. (World's Elsewhere by Andrew Dickson is about the Bard's international influence.)
Following Hamlet in the rankings are Odyssus (Ulysses), Don Quixote, Eve, Genji, Don Juan, Chia Pao-yu, and Sherlock Holmes. Many readers will recognize most of these names. Chia Pao-yu, though, was new to me and reading the chapter offered me an education in Chinese literature.
Dream of the Red Chamber was published in 1792 and addresses 'universal issues of the human heart' that are 'explored through the destiny of one fragile, enigmatic boy--Chia Pao-yu".
I enjoyed looking for my favorite characters and reading their essays. Another time I will decide to read about the characters from books I have not read, after which I expect some TBR books will appear on my wish list. This is a nice resource for a reader's library.
I received a free book from the author through a give-a-way. This does not influence my review.
September 25, 2010
If naming one of your favourite characters isn't hard enough, choosing and ranking 100 characters that have influenced the world is definitely a challenge. Luckily there was one writer willing to take that challenge on. The Fictional 100, Ranking the most influential characters in world literature and legend by Lucy Pollard-Gott dedicates a chapter per character per exploring the reasons behind their hold over our imagination.
As Pollard-Gott highlights, the impact characters and stories have on readers which has been be from inspirational to obsessional. Consider the impact Dicken's Scrooge has had on Christmas celebrations, `Bah Humbug' is phrase used just as much as Father Christmas' Ho Ho Ho! Even Conan Dloyle had to give in to the public's outcry over killing off Sherlock Holmes, bringing him back to life in another series of stories.
Readers need to be aware that each chapter goes into some depth in describing the plot of the story. So if you haven't read a particular book and intend to don't read that chapter first.
Every avid reader would benefit from having this book on their shelf. The illustrations and quotes make it addictive to keep picking up and glancing through. You may discover characters you have never heard of before or start a new list of books to read next. If nothing else it will certainly stimulate a lot of discussion over who you think should be number one.
Add this book to your personal library by clicking on the cover and tell us who you would rank as most influential character, who you think is missing from the list or who you think shouldn't be in there at all
As Pollard-Gott highlights, the impact characters and stories have on readers which has been be from inspirational to obsessional. Consider the impact Dicken's Scrooge has had on Christmas celebrations, `Bah Humbug' is phrase used just as much as Father Christmas' Ho Ho Ho! Even Conan Dloyle had to give in to the public's outcry over killing off Sherlock Holmes, bringing him back to life in another series of stories.
Readers need to be aware that each chapter goes into some depth in describing the plot of the story. So if you haven't read a particular book and intend to don't read that chapter first.
Every avid reader would benefit from having this book on their shelf. The illustrations and quotes make it addictive to keep picking up and glancing through. You may discover characters you have never heard of before or start a new list of books to read next. If nothing else it will certainly stimulate a lot of discussion over who you think should be number one.
Add this book to your personal library by clicking on the cover and tell us who you would rank as most influential character, who you think is missing from the list or who you think shouldn't be in there at all
March 25, 2011
This made me realize how many non-western books I should be reading!
The college student taking a course on world literature should find this invaluable at providing context and ideas that could help raise the grades of the overwhelmed studens.
But this book should also be entertaining and useful to the individual already familiar with many of these books, providing an opportunity to remember what you loved about them, and suggesting new books you'll want to explore.
The college student taking a course on world literature should find this invaluable at providing context and ideas that could help raise the grades of the overwhelmed studens.
But this book should also be entertaining and useful to the individual already familiar with many of these books, providing an opportunity to remember what you loved about them, and suggesting new books you'll want to explore.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews