The Not-So Austen Bookclub discussion

Do you have a personal criteria that makes that character a hero/heroine? Tell your fellow bookworms and give some examples of those that makes the cut for you!

Lucinda wrote: "Heroine...
*Has to be strong minded and not a weakling who looks pretty but does nothing; so basically a woman who does not need a man to survive or rely on too completely.
* Someone who stands u..."

Good standards - I applaud you!

Lucinda wrote: "Heroine...
*Has to be strong minded and not a weakling who looks pretty but does nothing; so basically a woman who does not need a man to survive or rely on too completely.
* Someone who stands u..."

How dare you say it all before me? I agree to all of this. Simpering heroines drive me mad. I want a heroine that takes charge. Likewise, I want a hero who is bold and decisive, without being bull headed bossy about it all.

Lucinda wrote: "Heroine...
*Has to be strong minded and not a weakling who looks pretty but does nothing; so basically a woman who does not need a man to survive or rely on too completely.
* Someone who stands up ..."

I agree with all of that.

The Heroine has to be strong, independant and not a pathetic, simpering idiot who stays and waits for the hero to come and save her because she's to weak or scared to do anything for herself.
The hero has to be sweet, strong and he must stand up for others as well as himself.
NOTE: THEY MUST NOT BE PERFECT! We all read looking for someone to relate to, not someone who is annoyingly flawless.

Shatha wrote: "The Heroine has to be strong, independant and not a pathetic, simpering idiot who stays and waits for the hero to come and save her because she's to weak or scared to do anything for herself.
The ..."

Exactly!

Shatha wrote: "The Heroine has to be strong, independant and not a pathetic, simpering idiot who stays and waits for the hero to come and save her because she's to weak or scared to do anything for herself.
The ..."

I totally agree - perfect, flawless heroes and heroines are so hard to relate to not mention read about!! It gets frustrating!!

Lucinda wrote: "Heroine...
*Has to be strong minded and not a weakling who looks pretty but does nothing; so basically a woman who does not need a man to survive or rely on too completely.
* Someone who stands up ..."

You've said it all!

I agree with all of you!! Great descriptions!

You need to be able to connect with the protagonists. You can't have an all-perfect hero or heroine because you can't connect with that. It makes you feel like a loser and you end up screaming at the character, "WHY THE HECK DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO PERFECT?" But at the same time, they can't be the loopiest, wimpiest idiots to ever hit book history. Because then you'll be screaming at them to shape up and shut up. They need to be a good balance of merits and flaws, or else you just can't connect.

βιβλιοφάγος (a.k.a. Cat) wrote: "You need to be able to connect with the protagonists. You can't have an all-perfect hero or heroine because you can't connect with that. It makes you feel like a loser and you end up screaming at t..."

YES!

βιβλιοφάγος (a.k.a. Cat) wrote: "You need to be able to connect with the protagonists. You can't have an all-perfect hero or heroine because you can't connect with that. It makes you feel like a loser and you end up screaming at t..."

Wow, exactly!! Great description I totally agree with you!

My personal preferences toward heroes rely more on the mind than physical strength. I do not like to differ qualities much between gender simply because I believe if it is a matter of mind, either could succeed as well as the other. I tend to lean toward independence but do enjoy the weaknesses of a character simply because it allows for the person to give into normality.

On the aspect of mind, I enjoy a hero/heroine that is wise, is at least partially able, courageous yet still can admit to fear, can stand for their beliefs and is willing to sacrifice what they have for their plight.

I do not tend to lean toward a particular appearance and it holds little relevance to me when reading a book. I do enjoy when a character is not placed into the stereotypical view of perfect but I often recreate characters in that way so it holds little relevance to me.

Well said!! I think of heroes as someone who is courageous that chooses to do the right things no matter the consequences to themselves

@Ω~L1F3L3$$ 3XP0$UR3~Ω - I totally agree with Anna. Well said indeed!

I like heroines with real flaws, like mental problems, or who aren't attractive, or who are genuinely not social and have no friends. It's more realistic and interesting to read about IMHO. A lot of time, characters with flaws are portrayed as martyrs in fiction, but they have defects just like everyone else.

:D

To me the Heroine has to be sarcastic, sassy, badass, and (sometimes) has to make fun of at least one male character.

not too picky about heroes.

For the love of god, give me a human. They can be weak, strong, tall, short, brave, cowardly, smart, a dunce, sexy, clumsy, optimistic, pessimistic, extroverted, introverted, a servant, or selfish, I honestly don't care. Humans are messed up but also majestic creatures. Whoever they are, no matter how perfect or awful their life was or is, give me someone that could be real. Sure, they breathe fire, but the fact that they always know and do the correct thing is not something I'm ever going to believe.

Imperfections are a must. Otherwise I'm usually hoping all the forces of evil converge on them and destroy them. But, since they have to have flaws, if they really are heroes/heroines, they need to change throughout the book. If they are static, what the h? Go away, please. I don't need to know about you.

I'm actually okay with weak protagonists, as I know a lot of awesome people who wouldn't fall into that "strong" category and to be someone noteworthy, who fights battles anyway, it's so much more interesting.

Autumn wrote: "Imperfections are a must. Otherwise I'm usually hoping all the forces of evil converge on them and destroy them. But, since they have to have flaws, if they really are heroes/heroines, they need to..."

I agree that imperfections should be had. But real imperfections.

Not the kind where the hero/heroine is like "OMG I have flaws and those flaws are so mega horrible in comparison to the rest of the world and I'm going to brood and be angsty because of my flaws."

But actual flaws that make the character who they are. Flaws that make them human. That make them real.

Hahahaha!! so love the above..

'To me the Heroine has to be sassy, badass and (sometimes) has to make fun of at least one male character!' * or be able to laugh at herself too*