It is only natural that book lovers have characters they favor and dislike. How readers relate to the fictional book characters will define the success of an author’s published novel. Here are some of the iconic female fictional book characters that you will surely love.
#1. Hermione Granger
One of the trio wizards who star in the Harry Potter series, Hermione Granger is one of the iconic female book characters who’s known for being a smart aleck. While she is a little know-it-all, she values her two best friends and does her best to keep them out of trouble.
#2. Elizabeth Bennet
In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet is the star of the show. Her circumstances may require her to marry for convenience, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to marry for love. She is well-known for her independence and genteel.
#3. Alice
Alice from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is an unforgettable character that even children know of nowadays. Aside from the original well-known fiction novel, Alice also stars in several film adaptations. Spin-offs and other media adaptations also exist now, enticing an even broader range of book lovers.
#4. Jo March
One of the four sisters from the class Little Women, Jo March is an outgoing gal who hates the fact that she was not born a man. However, in her road to growing up, she slowly accepts herself and eventually becomes a refined woman.
#5. Scarlett O’Hara
Another one of the iconic characters that you will always remember, Scarlett O’Hara is the main protagonist of the novel entitled Gone With the Wind. She is described to lack insight, but she makes up for it with her strong will.
#6. Katniss Everdeen
Katniss Everdeen is a bad-ass female character who lives in the dystopian country of Panem. In this world where one boy and one girl gets sacrificed annually for the sake of a select few’s entertainment, Everdeen volunteers herself to save her sister. Things snowball from there, eventually making her an icon of rebellion that allows her fellowmen to take up arms and fight for their freedom.
#7. Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is the main character of the Mary Poppins eight-book series written by P. L. Travers and illustrated by Mary Shepard. Poppins is the nanny who arrives with her traveling carpetbag. The children she was in charge of finds out that she has a magical touch to her. Mary Poppins is the kind of nanny that you’d want to have for yourself as a kid.
#8. Daenerys Targaryen
As the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen has three fire-breathing creatures as her offspring. Aside from being the mother of dragons, she also has another identity such as the supposed-to-be rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Her character development is worth praising as she grows from the little sister who is always under her brother’s thumb to a queen who thinks of her people.
#9. Anne Shirley
Anne of Green Gables is a classic children’s book that a child should read at least once. The main protagonist of the novel is the iconic Anne Shirley. Shirley is a very spirited child. Despite being sent to the wrong adoptive parents, she quickly adapts to her new environment. She made friends and had adventures like any other healthy child out there.
#10. Nancy Drew
If you like mystery fiction, then the Nancy Drew Mystery Series is a good book to enjoy. You have Nancy Drew as the female protagonist to look up to. Drew is the female sleuth who solves one mystery after another. Her detective prowess is definitely worth the praise.
#11. Lucy Pevensie
Lucy Pevensie is the youngest out of the children who came to visit Narnia. Even when the five children were all acknowledged as the rulers of Narnia, it was only Lucy Pevensie who became the closest to Aslan. Moreover, she is the only one who was able to return to Narnia after several years. Lucy’s pure-heartedness is what sets her apart as an iconic female lead.
#12. Dorothy Gale
Dorothy Gale, the female protagonist of the classic The Wizard of Oz, is known for her courage and intelligence. Along with her dog and the companions, she gathered along the way, Dorothy’s journey to meet the witch and get back home to Kansas is full of adventures that have a moral of courage and friendship.
#13. Helen of Troy
Tagged with the title “the face that can launch a thousand ships”, Helen is the female character that caused the downfall of Troy. Despite being married to the King of Sparta, Helen eloped with the Prince of Troy. Their elopement led to the Trojan War.
#14. Lois Lane
If you look up to Superman, then you should already be familiar with his love interest – Lois Lane. She is probably the Superman’s other weakness aside from the kryptonite.
#15. Sara Crewe
Fairy tale is a favorite children’s book theme. However, there are iconic female characters who gained popularity despite the fact that they aren’t in any fairy tale books. One of them is Sara Crewe. She grew up as a privileged daughter of a wealthy English widower. Despite her princess-like lifestyle, she didn’t grow up to be arrogant or despotic. In fact, she is generous and kind.
Successful novels always have memorable characters. Do you have an iconic female character you consider your personal favorite?