This is just a suggestion, but if you really want to see some great character work, I suggest you read The Thin Man, by Dashell Hammett. It is neither fantasy nor a children's book, but the characters are really well done. If you have ever seen the Thin Man movies with William Powell and Myrna Loy, those are really good too. It makes me wonder why more books don't use already married couples for their protagonists. The banter between Nick and Nora are really fantastic, and the language used makes me laugh. You might not understand it without a basic knowledge of forties slang. The book is a lot of fun, and I highly recommend it.
Another really great book is The Crocodile in the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters. This is one of my favorite books. The prose is fun and the characters are really strong. Again, not a children's book or a fantasy, but a good read. This is one of those books where the lady who reads it on the audio book is really great. If you can, I suggest listening to the book, I think she adds a lot to the book.
Anyway, I am looking for strong characters in books, if you have any suggestions, I would appreciate them. I contribute the afore mentioned books. I'm sort of looking for more whimsical characters, since I am a firm believer in humor. I don't think characters can be very strong without it. Any recommendations?
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Lloyd Alexander's Vesper Holly series, starting with the Illyrian Adventure. Most of Lloyd Alexander's female characters, come to think of it, are strong and witty.
And I just love his wordcrafting!
There is, of course, Diana Wynne Jones's Howl's Moving Castle. I also love Archer's Goon. And I've mentioned Megan Whalen Turner before and if you haven't read her, you MUST!! Eugenides is one of the most wonderful characters ever.
Also, I have to add that Georgette Heyer (who technically wrote Regency and Georgian romance novels) is fabulous with characterization. Most romance novels are horrible, but hers are in a class of their own. Anyway, some of my favorites are Sylvester, The Nonesuch, The Grand Sophie, and Frederica.
My favorite character writer is Eloise McGraw. Her main characters are not the best, but her minor characters are INCREDIBLE! Every last one of them feels like a real, living, breathing person. I don't know how she does it.
Just a warning for all of you who decide to read The Thin Man, it is a very gritty book. Not bad, but definitely one to be cautious of. still a great character book though. The movie however is a lot of fun and even your little ones can watch it. yay.
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