Most remarkable character driven books
Happy Saturday! This week I have been reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and I am completely in awe of the main character. It has made me recall some of the most memorable and wonderful character driven books that I have read so I decided to share my choices with you in this week’s Studious Saturday post.
Room – Emma Donoghue
Almost unbelievable yet so beautifully told, Room by Emma Donoghue explores the life of 5 year old Jack, held captive and unable to escape, though he is too young to realise it. Children are often written in an unrealistic way leading to many eye rolling moments but Jack’s story line developed in such an unexpected way that it made his character even more interesting and the book so much more fascinating.
The Legacy of Lucy Harte – Emma Heatherington
It’s amazing how a character with no voice or present participation can make such an impact. Lucy Harte saved Maggie O’Hara’s life by donating her heart yet it almost feels like Lucy is alive and living through Maggie which makes for a poignant yet beautiful read.
A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini
No words to describe just how good the characters are in this book – read it and you will not be disappointed!
A River in Darkness – Masaji Ishikawa
This memoir is unique and so raw with emotion that it is hard not to connect with the main character. The fact that it is an autobiography makes it even more fascinating and is a perfect example of where only one main character is needed to truly impress.
The Man I think I Know – Mike Gayle
Friendship is so hard to develop in writing yet Mike Gayle does this effortlessly in The Man I Think I Know. Danny and James, old rivals from a prestigious boarding school, meet again years later in strange circumstances and enter each other’s lives leading to some truly magnificent moments that show the difficulties in friendship and the beauty of having someone to rely on.
Question time
Are there any books that focus primarily on characters that you have enjoyed and can recommend?
10 Comments
Mani
Loved reading A Thousand Splended Suns by Khaled Hosseini!! Have some of the others on my Kindle still waiting to be read. 🙈
Darina
Yes, me too! It’s definitely one of my favourite books. Hope you enjoy the others!
Annie
Thank you, Darina, again, for a fantastic review of characters. So many books to read and enjoy!!
Darina
Definitely! Thank you!
Yvo
Great picks! I’ve read and loved Evelyn Hugo, Room and A Thousand Splendid Suns of these.
Darina
Thanks! Yes, those sure are great books with some wonderful characters!
Lashaan Balasingam @ Bookidote
I absolutely enjoyed Room too! Some people found the writing too obnoxious but I found it quite perfect! The movie adaptation was also pretty decent, except for the changes they made me… I definitely need to read the Kite Runner too! When I think of character-driven stories, I also think of my favourite novel of all time: Crime & Punishment! 😀
Darina
I haven’t watched the movie yet, I’m not sure if I want to because I don’t see how it would do the book justice as I felt the book was so so good! I still haven’t read Crime & Punishment but I really want to!
jennifertarheelreader
Love your choices here, Darina. All these amazing books are on my TBR and I really need to read some of them!
Darina
Thanks, Jennifer! I hope you enjoy these, they are all great each in their own way 🙂