Gen-types

[rosaleeluann.livejournal.com]

I feel like maybe we've discussed this before but, well, we like talking about the same things again sometimes, right?

So recently I read a book which was OK, but I didn't love. When trying to figure out what exactly wasn't working for me, I realized one of the big issues I had--I felt like the author was trying to make one of the main characters into a Gen-type character, but was failing.

(To be completely honest, my first thought was, "This book would just be so much better if it was about Lord Peter instead." I think I'm due for a LPW re-read.)

So I started trying to figure out why I felt like the character failed to live up to the "Gen" type.

I started by trying to think of successful Gen-type characters. I know some are missing from this list, but these are the first I came up with--

Gen (obviously)
Lord Peter Wimsey
Sir Percy (the Scarlet Pimpernel)
Miles Vorkosigan
Chrestomanci
the Doctor

My list stopped there, even though I KNOW that I've read other books with this character type--help me out here, guys.


Then, I tried to decide what characteristics made this mold. The characters I listed above fit most or all of these characteristics:

clever and witty--quick thinking
intelligent--long term thinking
people skills--good at reading and understanding people
Aristocratic/privileged background, usually with a sense of style to go with it
Brave--sometimes in almost a daredevil way
Stick to a code/personal beliefs
Sometimes works in disguise or with another identity (not always literally)

That's all I have so far.

So what I'd be curious to discuss are these questions:

What other characters would you add to this list, and why do you think they fit? (Particularly if they're from books I haven't read ;-) Would you take away any I listed?
What characteristics would you add to this list--or take away from it?
Why do you think this character type appears repeatedly?

Comments

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Albert Campion, from Margery Allingham's mysteries! Definitely fits your list of characteristics...

[rosaleeluann.livejournal.com]

Tell me more! Is this something I need to add to the TBR list?

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Campion is kind of Wimsey-lite, with his own quirky charm. I first discovered the series via the Masterpiece Theatre adaptations in the late 80's and early 90's. I'm particularly fond of the books that feature the irrepressible Amanda Fitton -- THE FEAR SIGN aka SWEET DANGER, THE FASHION IN SHROUDS, and TRAITOR'S PURSE in particular -- and can seldom be bothered to revisit the rest of the series; but then I feel much the same about the Wimsey books (my apologies to the completists, but if I never read FIVE RED HERRINGS or even THE NINE TAILORS again I will shed no tears whatsoever).

Anyway, yes, I do recommend them. They are fun and charming and Lugg (Campion's very un-Bunter-like manservant) is a hoot.

[rosaleeluann.livejournal.com]

I just skipped to the end of the five herrings so I could know whodunit. :-)

Is there a particular order its best to read them in?

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Here's the complete series in chronological order (http://www.fictiondb.com/author/margery-allingham~series~an-albert-campion-mystery~2122.htm), but if I were hitting the highlights I'd probably do MYSTERY MILE, POLICE AT THE FUNERAL, SWEET DANGER aka FEAR SIGN, DEATH OF A GHOST, DANCERS IN MOURNING, FASHION IN SHROUDS and TRAITOR'S PURSE, in that order. If you only want the Amanda books, see my list above. :)

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

...And apparently the comment I just posted was marked as spam because there was a link in it. Sigh.

[rosaleeluann.livejournal.com]

Help us out here, oh great moderator... :-)

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Darn, sorry. I've been out of town and am just now catching up on this post. I can't see any comments marked as spam--did you all get it straightened out?