Today’s Topic: Characters That Remind Me of Myself
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
Hmm, well this week’s topic has me a bit stymied. I don’t know that I’ve ever read a character that reminds me of myself. But then, I don’t know that I see myself clearly enough to define my identity.
So instead, I decided to focus on characteristics and experiences that I can relate to.
Frances Marion & Mary Pickford in The Girls in the Picture – Although their personalities and interests are different than mine, I can relate to their feeling that being a woman and loving a man means making personal sacrifices men never have to make.
Marilla Cuthbert in Marilla of Green Gables – One thing that I definitely have in common with Marilla is the need for caution in relationships as well as the safety mechanism of repressing my emotions so that I don’t have to deal with them.
Kathryn Sermak of Miss D and Me: Life with the Invincible Bette Davis – Like the author of this book, I too worked as a companion/personal assistant for a feisty elderly woman. Though the job had it’s challenges I also learned quite a bit from her.
Julia Jenkins in When You Look at Me – Though I have little else in common with this soon to be single mom with music talent and baking skills, I too come from a large, loving, boisterous family with few personal boundaries.
Josey Cirrini in The Sugar Queen – Um, show of hands…who else has had a secret sugar stash besides me and Josey Cirrini? Granted, I didn’t have a whole secret room of it, but still I have been known to hide my sweet treats. But I could use a little more magic in my life even if it hides in my closet with the candy stash.
Sarah Hollenbeck in The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck – I may not be a best-selling romance author like Sarah, but I definitely appreciate them. I also understand the power of the written word and a well-told story.
Raegan Walker in All This Time – Oh how I can relate Raegan’s frustration and angst of trying to determine what to do with your life and where you fit. Especially when it feels like everyone else has their life figured out and it feels like yours is passing you by.
Meredith Sullivan in The Bridge – One thing I always wanted to do was study abroad in Paris and become fluent in the language. So, I very much relate to Meredith Sullivan’s love of all things French and I enjoyed experiencing it vicariously through her.
Do you have any book characters that you can relate to?
I loved seeing how Marilla’s past was explained in Marilla of Green Gables. It explained so much about how she behaved after Anne came to live with her. I wanted to reach out and hug Marilla….although I don’t know that she would have liked that too much. 🙂
My TTT.
Oh, I know. Me too. It was so interesting to get a deeper look at Marilla’s psyche and what formed her to be the person that Anne knew.
I haven’t read any of these books, but I definitely think I want to check out The Girls in the Picture. I think it is really had for men to understand there’s some things they won’t ever be expected to do or not to in society, whereas with women we are expected to be EVERYTHING. The happy wife, the working mother, the cook, cleaner, meal planner, etc.
That is very true. I didn’t realize how much I related to that balance between work and personal life until I read this book. What makes it even more interesting is that it is a fictionalized account of real people who personally experienced that conflict and still succeeded in their chosen fields.
That’s awesome! It still stresses me out thinking about work and having kids at the same time. And I really try and give myself and my spouse the benefit of the doubt and try to see things as they really are. My husband is very supportive of me working (though he didn’t know the whole story when we got married), but just the logistics of taking care of a baby/kids when both of us work stresses me out. But at the same time I’m not willing to be a stay-at-home mom. It’s just not in my personality.
I love the thought that went into all your answers. And the comments about The Sugar Queen made me smile 😊
My TTT.
I most often relate to characters because I want to be like them not because I am already.
My TTT: https://ichleseblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/07/top-ten-tuesday-characters-who-remind-me-of-myself-who-i-can-relate-to/.
I didn’t even realize there was a Marilla of Green Gables! The Bridge sounds interesting. As a lover of languages, I can see myself drawn to that book.
Oh, if you’re a fan of the Anne series, Marilla’s book is a must-read. The Bridge was one of my favorite YA books of 2018. The sequel The Long Walk was released earlier this year and it is set in Ireland. So if you love exploring other cultures, I can recommend them.