And what about the females?

Is there a serious lack of good women characters in literature, or I have yet to read more books — especially ones with great women characters? That is the question–after I have tried to follow my first post on Best Fictional Male Characters with their female counterparts. But, with 2 hours passed and still without a complete list, I have started to doubt if I can even reach to five.

Fret not, because I apparently read enough books to continue my list of Best fictional female characters in literature.

Anne Frank is an obvious favorite–but she can’t join the list as she is not fictional and what happened to her and her family is far from fiction–and such as horrible fate that transcends fiction, reality and dream all together.

5. Tita dela Garza from “Like Water for Chocolate” Como agua para chocolate)

Tita dela Garza, the heroine from “Como Agua Para Chocolate” began as a 15 year old girl relegated to a life of servitude to her mother due to family tradition. What I loved about the novel is Tita’s affinity to food and how her dexterity and talent in the kitchen expresses her feelings and her inner most thoughts. Tita is a bold and sensuous character who expresses her womanhood to the fullest. I like how she is portrayed the novel–she began as a submissive child but as the novel progressed grew into a fiery character. (wow, she is THAT fiery that in the final chapter, she and Pedro died while making love. why? read the novel to find out) 🙂

4. Nymphadora Tonks from Harry Potter

I love everything about Nymphadora Tonks–the fact that she was a metamorphagus (can change appearance at will), had a cool wardrobe and a shocking hairdo, served both as a guardian and an older sister to Harry, Hermione and Ron, fell madly in love and married the adorable Prof. Remus Lupin, a celebrated and qualified Auror and lastly–died bravely and honorably as a hero during the final battle at Hogwarts.

If I am to be written as a character in the Harry Potter series, I would love to be Tonks (God, please forbid that I would be reincarnated as that weak-spine Cho Chang). For me, she steals the scene for every chapter that she graced. And duh, Nymphadora is not that bad of a name…

Tonks: “Don’t call me Nymphadora, Remus. It’s Tonks.”
Remus Lupin: “Nymphadora Tonks, who prefers to be known by her surname only.”
Tonks: “So would you if your fool of a mother had called you Nymphadora.”
— Tonks and Remus Lupin

3. Sayuri Nitta from “Memoirs of a Geisha”

Yes, my cat (the brat princess Sayuri) was named after this character. Sayuri Nitta (the former Sakamoto Chiyo) rose from being a servant girl saddled with debts to be one of the most celebrated geisha of old Japan. She is beautiful, graceful and madly in love with the old Chairman Iwamura Ken. I loved how she was portrayed both weak and strong; innocent and coquettish; at times both intelligent and naive with her decisions in life. She is a character that tried to find good in everyone.

2. Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl

Oh, Blair–you are the representation of my vain, bratty and melodramatic self. While you can be truly, truly annoying due to your manipulative ways–the fact that you are a first-rate drama queen secured your place in my heart. And the fact that you had the gall to name your sister Yale really cracked me up. Now, if only you would stop pining after that pretty loser Nathan.

1. Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice

As I mentioned during my last post, I love Elizabeth Bennet and even to this day, remains a fan of Pride & Prejudice. I like that she is different from the women of her time: she is strong-willed, opinionated, charming yet a bit offensive especially when she says what’s on her mind.

I love how she deflects Darcy’s affections — yet sometimes, I get annoyed with Elizabeth Darcy for refusing to see things as they are, being stuck in her impressions and convictions.

So far, here’s my list of my favorite female characters. What about you? Which fictional female characters from literature do you like?