This tuesday the top ten list is counting down a list of the top ten jerks and asshats that we have met while reading. Not in real life obviously but on the pages.For more info on Top TenTuesday and to read a really great blog, go to The Broke and The Bookish (who started this fantastic meme) at http://www.brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/
Here comes my top ten - some of them worse than others:
10) Keir from "Inexcusable" by Chris Lynch. What is really interesting about Keir is that he is the main character and narrator as well as being a real jerk who has a problem with understanding that a no is a no.
9) Edward and Jacob from "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer. Both are pretty controlling and both seem to think that being in love is an excuse to treat a girl rather badly. Still, the books would be rather boring without them :-)
8) Mr. Collins from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. One of my favourite minor characters ever - he is an eternal source of laughs and I never tire of reading the proposal scene over and over again.
7) Greg Fuller from "The Book, The Film, The T-shirt" by Matt Beaumont. Easily swayed by a skirt and constantly nursing a hangover/migraine due to some problem that he himself has created - and always counting on his wife and PA to bail him out. Such a jerk.
6) Professor Sturrock from "All in the Mind" by Alastair Campbell. Will not say why because of spoilers but if you've read it, you know what I mean...
5) Kevin from "We Need to Talk about Kevin" by Lionel Shriver. Why Kevin is a jerk is the question that this book revolves around and if you haven't read it, I highly recommend that you do - it is great!
4) Mr. Vuoso from "Towelhead" by Alicia Erian. Such a creep, a real asshat. Gave me chills down my spine when I read it because he repulsed me so.
3) Cardinal Richelieu in "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas. Oooh he is a really nasty one, always has a trick up his sleeve to try to get his way. A bit of a perfect literary villain.
2) William Rackham from "The Crimson Petal and the White" by Michel Faber. I will not give any reasons as I am afraid to reveal spoilers
1) William Hamleigh from "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. Not even just a jerk but a real nasty piece of work. I hate this guy, really absolutely hate him.
Which jerks have you met on the pages of books?
Oh well Don Quixote was at times never watched out for sancho during book ,your list is great loads books not read but heard of ,all the best stu
ReplyDeleteYes, William Hamleigh was evil!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stu :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes Trish, I agree. William Hamleigh is so evil! Almost too much to feature on a list of jerks because he just takes it beyond.
I agree on everything you wrote about Mr. Collins. He is very entertaining in his jerkitude.
ReplyDeleteI chose Kevin, too. As a mother, I found him to be the worst and scariest.
ReplyDeleteHere's my list of Top Ten Jerks in Literature. I hope you will stop by. I'd also love to have you enter my giveaway for a new book Divergent this month!
Definitely Mr Collins from P&P. A character I love to hate.
ReplyDeleteKevin is an excellent choice. One of the most evil characters in literature I've come across.
ReplyDeleteI've not read several of these texts but those I have read, I completely agree with you!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Twilight, but from what I've heard, I'd want Bella to drop both Jacob and Edward--or have them beat each other to death.
Jacob and Edward - Agreed! ;P
ReplyDeleteAnd Cardinal Richelieu really is nasty!!
Good list you've got!
Here's mine: http://peskypiksipesternomi.blogspot.com/2011/05/top-ten-tuesday-is-original.html
I'm glad you chose Edward and Jacob! Jacob? Meh. But Edward? Oh, what a control freak!
ReplyDeleteHere's mine
http://alternatereadality.blogspot.com/2011/05/top-ten-tuesday.html
Great list! Edward and Jacob for sure, horrible boys. Bella was pretty much an idiot too though, so I felt like they deserved each other. Cardinal Richelieu is a great one! I hate Mr. Collins too.. so slimy, so irritating.
ReplyDeleteStopping by on the hop. Really like your blog! And I’m so glad you included Edward and Jacob on your list. Here’s mine: http://femalebookreader.blogspot.com/2011/05/top-ten-tuesday-you-jerkface.html
ReplyDeleteI went back and forth between Hamleigh and Bigod. There are sooo many jerks in that book. I agree with your commentary on Edward and Jacob.
ReplyDeletegreat list, I especially like that you included both Edward and Jacob. They were both jerks. http://confessionsofacommonreader.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/top-ten-jerks-in-literature/
ReplyDeleteLove the inclusion of Edward and Jacob.Other than E's face and J's abs, I don't see the draw. Sometimes I think it's less about the girl and more about beating the other.
ReplyDeleteRachel-Endless Reading
Ah, Mr Collins. He is hilarious :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great list. I esp agree with Kevin and Hamleigh. Would not want to hang out with those guys.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that there are people out there who will admit that Jacob and Edward are controlling. Personally, if I had to pick a "team," I'd be Team Guy That Almost Hit Bella With His Car.
ReplyDeleteBut I digress. New follower. Loved seeing Richelieu on your list!
I thought about including Edward from Twilight as well. I don't think he is that easy to love.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my list here.
Thanks for all your wonderful comments people :-)
ReplyDeleteSeems like we agree that:
1) Mr. Collins is a fun jerk
2) Edward and Jacob are asshats - but Bella's not a lot better
3) Kevin and Hamleigh are evil as well as jerks
Now I am going to go visit some of you guys - see you there.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Great list, although I don't know many of the characters from personal experience other than movies. :) I do agree with Edward and Jacob, though.
ReplyDelete