Looking for Books, need Loveable Female Rogues, pst!
November 20, 2010 7:22 PM Subscribe
Great books where the main character is a Loveable Rogue -- and female?
I'm a big reader, and possibly my favorite character archetype is the Loveable Rogue. The mix of charm and humor (and often coming through and being self-sacrificing in clutch situations) is very entertaining.
That said, it's usually the male protagonist or supporting character who plays into this role. Surely there must be some awesome female characters who do the same, right? Han Solo and Robin Hood shouldn't get all the fun.
So, mefites, I'd love book recommendations with female Loveable Rogues! I tend mostly towards fantasy and historical fiction, but if you know a great book in another genre, I'm all ears!
(and, if you have an amazing book where it's a male Loveable Rogue, heck, I'd still like to know!)
I'm a big reader, and possibly my favorite character archetype is the Loveable Rogue. The mix of charm and humor (and often coming through and being self-sacrificing in clutch situations) is very entertaining.
That said, it's usually the male protagonist or supporting character who plays into this role. Surely there must be some awesome female characters who do the same, right? Han Solo and Robin Hood shouldn't get all the fun.
So, mefites, I'd love book recommendations with female Loveable Rogues! I tend mostly towards fantasy and historical fiction, but if you know a great book in another genre, I'm all ears!
(and, if you have an amazing book where it's a male Loveable Rogue, heck, I'd still like to know!)
Moll Flanders
The Dud Avocado
The Old Man and Me
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Fanny Hill
Tom Jones
posted by Ideefixe at 7:37 PM on November 20, 2010
The Dud Avocado
The Old Man and Me
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Fanny Hill
Tom Jones
posted by Ideefixe at 7:37 PM on November 20, 2010
Many of these are pretty old, and are mostly fantasy or fantastic:
Ellen Kushner, Swordspoint and sequel
C J Cherryh's Chanur books (science fiction)
Joanna Russ' Alyx shorts
C L Moore's Jirel of Joiry stories
posted by hattifattener at 7:42 PM on November 20, 2010
Ellen Kushner, Swordspoint and sequel
C J Cherryh's Chanur books (science fiction)
Joanna Russ' Alyx shorts
C L Moore's Jirel of Joiry stories
posted by hattifattener at 7:42 PM on November 20, 2010
Hmmm... not sure if she would be accurately described as a rogue in the strictest sense, but I really enjoy the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde.
posted by braemar at 7:55 PM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by braemar at 7:55 PM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
I would say Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird is the child version of whom you describe.
posted by emd3737 at 8:01 PM on November 20, 2010
posted by emd3737 at 8:01 PM on November 20, 2010
Best answer: Gail Carriger's Soulless series - Victoriana steampunk, witty and verbose heroine.
Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series is more James Bond than Han Solo, but quite rougish.
She's part of a duo but Simon R Green's Isobel from the Hawk and Fisher series is v. cool, as is Julia from the Blue Moon series. Most of his female character rock actually.
posted by geek anachronism at 8:04 PM on November 20, 2010
Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series is more James Bond than Han Solo, but quite rougish.
She's part of a duo but Simon R Green's Isobel from the Hawk and Fisher series is v. cool, as is Julia from the Blue Moon series. Most of his female character rock actually.
posted by geek anachronism at 8:04 PM on November 20, 2010
Best answer: you might like Nanny Ogg in Pratchett's Discworld books. She's more the "dirty old lady" but you can see traces of the younger her in there...
posted by The otter lady at 8:06 PM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 8:06 PM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
Howabout Miss Marple? She is a super detective and about as rougueish as a 70 year old lady can be. Love the stories. What about Kinsey Milhone? Enjoy the books and the last 5 or so have had pretty good depth.
posted by swmobill at 8:13 PM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by swmobill at 8:13 PM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
"Smilla's Sense of Snow" by Peter Hoeg, perhaps?
Her charm and humor are definitely of a dark, Danish variety, but she certainly enjoys fucking with people, and it's pretty funny in places.
posted by drjimmy11 at 8:21 PM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
Her charm and humor are definitely of a dark, Danish variety, but she certainly enjoys fucking with people, and it's pretty funny in places.
posted by drjimmy11 at 8:21 PM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
Came in to suggest the character Thursday Next in the Jasper Fforde series.
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 8:23 PM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 8:23 PM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
From the Romance genre, Suzanne Enoch's Samantha Jellicoe is a professional thief trying to go straight, sort of, with the help of her billionaire boyfriend.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:48 PM on November 20, 2010
posted by jacquilynne at 8:48 PM on November 20, 2010
Also Travels With My Aunt, anything by Dawn Powell.
posted by brookeb at 8:50 PM on November 20, 2010
posted by brookeb at 8:50 PM on November 20, 2010
Is Scarlett O'Hara lovable? She's do-able, and she's a rogue.
Forever Amber--she's a twist, a minx, and while it's a fairly bad book, it's fun to read.
posted by Ideefixe at 8:53 PM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
Forever Amber--she's a twist, a minx, and while it's a fairly bad book, it's fun to read.
posted by Ideefixe at 8:53 PM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Awesome -- keep them coming! I've marked a few that are examples of what I've already read and liked -- Gail Carriger and Terry Pratchett's books are great. I'll have to check out the Jasper Fforde series.
posted by Kattiara17 at 8:57 PM on November 20, 2010
posted by Kattiara17 at 8:57 PM on November 20, 2010
Best answer: I'm not entirely sure, but would Stephanie Plum, Lula, or Grandma Mazur from the number series by Janet Evanovich count? The second two are definitely rogues, Stephanie might be a hero by the skin of her teeth.
I love thinking of Nanny Ogg this way. Thanks.
posted by emyd at 9:32 PM on November 20, 2010
I love thinking of Nanny Ogg this way. Thanks.
posted by emyd at 9:32 PM on November 20, 2010
Not quite a rouge... Collins, 'The Moonstone'
Doyles 'A Scandal in Bohemia'
an interesting historical link
posted by clavdivs at 9:35 PM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Doyles 'A Scandal in Bohemia'
an interesting historical link
posted by clavdivs at 9:35 PM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Oh, I'm so excited I get to recommend one of my favorite recent guilty pleasures! Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy is a young adult novel that starts a series that has about the most lovable of all lovable rogues as a heroine. These books are not exceptionally deep, and aren't for folks that can't tolerate YA lit, but they are charming and well-written. I ate the whole series up like bonbons, and look forward to more.
posted by thebrokedown at 9:36 PM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by thebrokedown at 9:36 PM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Fun question! I feel like I should be able to think of more examples in fantasy.
I personally don't agree with Thursday Next being a loveable anything, but I'm not a fan of Fforde's series.
The first person who sprang to mind for me is Dido Twite from Joan Aiken's Wolves series. The books are an in the alternative history genre, and Dido is quite the scamp.
Some of Georgette Heyer's Regency romances, such as The Corinthian and These Old Shades, feature young ladies who are cross-dressing scamps, if not rogues.
The Lymond Chronicles feature a classic male loveable rogue. I never could get into that series, though. I do personally love and re-read the Marcus Didius Falco series periodically, featuring a hard-boiled, snarky Roman detective.
posted by Squeak Attack at 9:45 PM on November 20, 2010
I personally don't agree with Thursday Next being a loveable anything, but I'm not a fan of Fforde's series.
The first person who sprang to mind for me is Dido Twite from Joan Aiken's Wolves series. The books are an in the alternative history genre, and Dido is quite the scamp.
Some of Georgette Heyer's Regency romances, such as The Corinthian and These Old Shades, feature young ladies who are cross-dressing scamps, if not rogues.
The Lymond Chronicles feature a classic male loveable rogue. I never could get into that series, though. I do personally love and re-read the Marcus Didius Falco series periodically, featuring a hard-boiled, snarky Roman detective.
posted by Squeak Attack at 9:45 PM on November 20, 2010
Cordelia Naismith, in Lois McMaster Bujold's Shards of Honor and Barrayar, is not all that very roguish, but she is independent of mind and ruthless at need.
posted by Bruce H. at 11:08 PM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Bruce H. at 11:08 PM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Ooh, I will be looking into a lot of these!
As a further point of reference, though she's probably just as much heroine as loveable rogue, I heart Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody series (which Gail Carriger's books strongly reminded me of).
Thanks to all of you!
posted by Kattiara17 at 11:08 PM on November 20, 2010
As a further point of reference, though she's probably just as much heroine as loveable rogue, I heart Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody series (which Gail Carriger's books strongly reminded me of).
Thanks to all of you!
posted by Kattiara17 at 11:08 PM on November 20, 2010
Perhaps try the Black Jewels trilogy by Anne Bishop? The loveable rogue role is at times shared by many of the characters of both genders, but the main central character is definitely spunky, brave and fun.
(There are some bleak, terrible events in those books though, so if you're looking for your lovable roguette in a specifically light-hearted setting, maybe save these for another time)
posted by pseudonymph at 12:46 AM on November 21, 2010
(There are some bleak, terrible events in those books though, so if you're looking for your lovable roguette in a specifically light-hearted setting, maybe save these for another time)
posted by pseudonymph at 12:46 AM on November 21, 2010
Wilkie Collins' No Name stars reckless Master of Disguise Magdalen Vanstone! She combines an acting career with a thirst for vengeance and is completely awesome and I don't understand why this book isn't a lavish rollicking BBC miniseries. Actually Collins specialized in this kind of character-- Armadale and The Law and The Lady also have brilliant looking-for-trouble women as central characters.
If you have huge piles of cash and like comics you could invest in Terry and the Pirates, in which many female characters, principally midwestern con-artist Burma and The Mysterious Dragon Lady, swing in and out of the story and make wisecracks and save the day. And speaking of comics there's always Tank Girl.
Seconding Auntie Mame and the Aiken Wolves of Willoughby Chase!
posted by Erasmouse at 3:29 AM on November 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
If you have huge piles of cash and like comics you could invest in Terry and the Pirates, in which many female characters, principally midwestern con-artist Burma and The Mysterious Dragon Lady, swing in and out of the story and make wisecracks and save the day. And speaking of comics there's always Tank Girl.
Seconding Auntie Mame and the Aiken Wolves of Willoughby Chase!
posted by Erasmouse at 3:29 AM on November 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Older sci-fi and possibly out of print-John Varley's Cirocco Jones from his Titan trilogy. She's just about the fiercest and finest bad-assed rogue heroine in all of sci-fi/fantasy fiction. Maybe in all fiction now that I think about it.
posted by Pennyblack at 7:54 AM on November 21, 2010
posted by Pennyblack at 7:54 AM on November 21, 2010
Irene Adler
Holly Golightly
Pippi Longstocking
posted by hot soup girl at 8:06 AM on November 21, 2010
Holly Golightly
Pippi Longstocking
posted by hot soup girl at 8:06 AM on November 21, 2010
I'd say V.I. Warshawski in Sara Paretsky's work is what you're looking for.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:47 AM on November 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:47 AM on November 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Modesty Blaise! She's kind of like James Bond, but with a sense of humor. And independently wealthy now that she's retired from running a crime syndicate.
posted by exceptinsects at 9:08 AM on November 21, 2010
posted by exceptinsects at 9:08 AM on November 21, 2010
Oh, also try YS Lee's Agency series. YA lit about a young girl becoming a spy.
posted by geek anachronism at 1:14 PM on November 21, 2010
posted by geek anachronism at 1:14 PM on November 21, 2010
Lisbeth Salander, though not always lovable but definitely possessing of a certain and singular charm, comes to mind.
posted by lucyleaf at 4:19 PM on November 21, 2010
posted by lucyleaf at 4:19 PM on November 21, 2010
Oh my god do NOT read Crimson Petal And The White. It is such a good book, but it ended up pissing me off so much I threw it across the room when I finished.
Dangerous Angels by Francesca Lia Block
Little Women (Jo!!!)
Boneshaker - Cherie Priest
Sunshine - Robin McKinley (actually, a lot of her books would be great for you)
Turtle in the Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.
posted by bibliogrrl at 5:48 PM on November 21, 2010
Dangerous Angels by Francesca Lia Block
Little Women (Jo!!!)
Boneshaker - Cherie Priest
Sunshine - Robin McKinley (actually, a lot of her books would be great for you)
Turtle in the Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.
posted by bibliogrrl at 5:48 PM on November 21, 2010
I think, if you don't mind that she's a child, Lyra in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy qualifies.
Wonderful books by any metric.
posted by kostia at 8:27 PM on November 21, 2010 [3 favorites]
Wonderful books by any metric.
posted by kostia at 8:27 PM on November 21, 2010 [3 favorites]
Possibly some of Patricia Briggs' work? I'm thinking especially of When Demons Walk, but some of her other (earlier) books might qualify as well.
posted by divide_by_cucumber at 11:21 PM on November 21, 2010
posted by divide_by_cucumber at 11:21 PM on November 21, 2010
Seconding Cordelia Naismith by Lois McMaster Bujold, appearing in "Shards of Honor" and "Barrayar". If you are ok with a male hero, Cordelia's son is also a wonderfully lovable rogue - he is the protagonist in the rest of the series.
posted by gakiko at 5:15 AM on November 22, 2010
posted by gakiko at 5:15 AM on November 22, 2010
Yes, Little Women and its sequels that focus on Jo, the lovable rogue. The Queen's Gambit, by Walter Tevis. Harriet the Spy and its sequels. To Kill a Mockingbird.
posted by Ellemeno at 2:18 AM on November 23, 2010
posted by Ellemeno at 2:18 AM on November 23, 2010
The Glass Book of the Dream Eaters by Gordon Dalquist might interest you. The book features the intertwined fates of 3 protagonists - but foremost amongst them is Celeste Temple. She fits your profile.
posted by rongorongo at 5:55 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by rongorongo at 5:55 PM on November 27, 2010
I realize I'm late to the party, but I suspect you would rather enjoy Girl Genius.
posted by Lifeson at 7:37 PM on December 16, 2010
posted by Lifeson at 7:37 PM on December 16, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:27 PM on November 20, 2010 [1 favorite]