If naming one of your favourite characters isn’t hard enough, choosing and ranking 100 characters that have influenced the world is definitely a challenge. Luckily there was one writer willing to take that challenge on. The Fictional 100, Ranking the most influential characters in world literature and legend by Lucy Pollard-Gott dedicates a chapter per character per exploring the reasons behind their hold over our imagination.

As Pollard-Gott highlights, the impact characters and stories have on readers which has been be from inspirational to obsessional. Consider the impact Dicken’s Scrooge has had on Christmas celebrations, ‘Bah Humbug’ is phrase used just as much as Father Christmas’ Ho Ho Ho! Even Conan Dloyle had to give in to the public’s outcry over killing off Sherlock Holmes, bringing him back to life in another series of stories.

Readers need to be aware that each chapter goes into some depth in describing the plot of the story. So if you haven’t read a particular book and intend to don’t read that chapter first.

Every avid reader would benefit from having this book on their shelf. The illustrations and quotes make it addictive to keep picking up and glancing through. You may discover characters you have never heard of before or start a new list of books to read next. If nothing else it will certainly stimulate a lot of discussion over who you think should be number one.

Add this book to your personal library by clicking on the cover and tell us who you would rank as most influential character, who you think is missing from the list or who you think shouldn’t be in there at all.

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