Help me find heroes too bright for their own good
April 10, 2015 9:55 AM Subscribe
I love books with extremely clever protagonists. Help me find more!
Basically, I’m a sucker for fiction where the main character is really clever, to the point where it’s the main thing getting him or her in to and out of trouble. That’s not to say geniuses, but rather good-on-their-feet huckster types. For some examples, think Locke Lamora from the Gentleman Bastard books, or Kvothe from The Name of the Wind, or Jack Shaftoe from the Baroque cycle. Do you have any suggestions?
I’m not necessarily looking for fantasy, it just so happens that most of the examples I can think of are in that genre. Bonus points for female protagonists, since it feels like every example I’ve ever found is dude-centric and I’d love to switch it up.
Basically, I’m a sucker for fiction where the main character is really clever, to the point where it’s the main thing getting him or her in to and out of trouble. That’s not to say geniuses, but rather good-on-their-feet huckster types. For some examples, think Locke Lamora from the Gentleman Bastard books, or Kvothe from The Name of the Wind, or Jack Shaftoe from the Baroque cycle. Do you have any suggestions?
I’m not necessarily looking for fantasy, it just so happens that most of the examples I can think of are in that genre. Bonus points for female protagonists, since it feels like every example I’ve ever found is dude-centric and I’d love to switch it up.
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber features a female protagonist , Sugar, who is far too clever for her own good (and everyone else's around her).
posted by hazyjane at 9:59 AM on April 10, 2015
posted by hazyjane at 9:59 AM on April 10, 2015
Tricksters. Br'er Rabbit to Bugs Bunny. Hiro Protagonist? Some elements of American Gods maybe, or anything here.
posted by Leon at 10:04 AM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Leon at 10:04 AM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm falling for the charming rascal, Ostap Bender, at the center of a classic Russian comic novel, The Twelve Chairs. I admit his cleverness mostly gets others in trouble . . .
posted by bearwife at 10:05 AM on April 10, 2015
posted by bearwife at 10:05 AM on April 10, 2015
Well. Opinions on this may vary, and he's only one of many main characters, but Tyrion Lannister from A Song of Ice and Fire fits the bill. He is frequently getting in and out of picaresque mishaps due to his mouth and wit.
As a fan of fantasy, I'm sure you are aware, but for posterity...
posted by easter queen at 10:08 AM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
As a fan of fantasy, I'm sure you are aware, but for posterity...
posted by easter queen at 10:08 AM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Both of Jack McDevitt's major series, the Alex Benedict novels and the Priscilla Hutchins novels, feature hypercompetent hero protagonists. I love them so.
posted by KathrynT at 10:14 AM on April 10, 2015
posted by KathrynT at 10:14 AM on April 10, 2015
Gen from The Thief probably fits this. They're set in an alternate history/fantasy analogue of Greece. Do not read the back cover blurbs for the sequels! They are spoilery. The Thief is pretty firmly middle grade, but the sequels are YA and above-ish.
posted by yasaman at 10:20 AM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by yasaman at 10:20 AM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Nero Wolfe mysteries (by Rex Stout) might work; both Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, his assistant, are extremely intelligent, but in ways that can bring them into conflict with The Law.
For a female example, any protagonist written by Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels, but particularly her Amelia Peabody, Vicki Bliss, and Jacqueline Kirby mystery series (which she wrote as Elizabeth Peters).
Georgette Heyer also sometimes had this type of character, usually female -- off-hand, of her novels, I believe The Grand Sophy, Sylvester, Sprig Muslin, and Frederica might best suit your preferences.
posted by pie ninja at 10:24 AM on April 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
For a female example, any protagonist written by Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels, but particularly her Amelia Peabody, Vicki Bliss, and Jacqueline Kirby mystery series (which she wrote as Elizabeth Peters).
Georgette Heyer also sometimes had this type of character, usually female -- off-hand, of her novels, I believe The Grand Sophy, Sylvester, Sprig Muslin, and Frederica might best suit your preferences.
posted by pie ninja at 10:24 AM on April 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
In Ford Madox Ford's World War I epic Parade's End, the intellectual brilliance of the protagonist, Christopher Tietjens, and his corresponding impatience with and borderline contempt for pretty much every other character he interacts with, is central to the plot, the book's language, its structure, and its difficulty. It's also a brilliant piece of fiction.
posted by Sonny Jim at 10:37 AM on April 10, 2015
posted by Sonny Jim at 10:37 AM on April 10, 2015
The plot of The Martian is all about a stranded astronaut surviving on Mars through his wits and ingenuity. The writing is only so-so, but the creative efforts of the astronaut to say alive are quite compelling.
posted by bassomatic at 10:38 AM on April 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by bassomatic at 10:38 AM on April 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Ignatius J. Reilly in John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces".
Too smart for his own good, and willing to let you know it at every given opportunity.
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 10:40 AM on April 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
Too smart for his own good, and willing to let you know it at every given opportunity.
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 10:40 AM on April 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
Simon Templar AKA The Saint.
Your description pretty much defines what Simon Templar is about.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:51 AM on April 10, 2015
Your description pretty much defines what Simon Templar is about.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:51 AM on April 10, 2015
Harriet the Spy.
posted by Brittanie at 10:58 AM on April 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by Brittanie at 10:58 AM on April 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
I asked this question about movies with smart protagonists a few years back; some responses in the thread are based on books.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:10 AM on April 10, 2015
posted by melissasaurus at 11:10 AM on April 10, 2015
Dorothy Dunnett. The Lymond Chronicles follows Francis Crawford of Lymond and The House of Niccolo follows Nicholas van der Poele, Lymond's ancestor.
Lymond and Nicholas are effectively the same person; they have a Shaftoe-ian nose for getting into and out of trouble, but are less carefree and emotionally open and better at getting along with the well-born. A Shaftoe you can take home to mom and dad.
posted by Kwine at 11:25 AM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Lymond and Nicholas are effectively the same person; they have a Shaftoe-ian nose for getting into and out of trouble, but are less carefree and emotionally open and better at getting along with the well-born. A Shaftoe you can take home to mom and dad.
posted by Kwine at 11:25 AM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. There are two narrators, but I don't want to say more because it's best to read it unspoiled.
posted by betweenthebars at 11:32 AM on April 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by betweenthebars at 11:32 AM on April 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Dirk Gently is your man, brought to you by Douglas Adams.
Ash and Hild for fantasy featuring female protaganists.
posted by Jakey at 11:35 AM on April 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Ash and Hild for fantasy featuring female protaganists.
posted by Jakey at 11:35 AM on April 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Emergence by David R. Palmer. Ferociously bright, good looking, pre-pubescent girl. Karate black belt. Stone killer. Also features a hyacinth macaw named Terry Dactyl.
posted by Bruce H. at 11:50 AM on April 10, 2015
posted by Bruce H. at 11:50 AM on April 10, 2015
Harriet in Donna Tartt's The Little Friend.
posted by jabes at 11:56 AM on April 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by jabes at 11:56 AM on April 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With The Golden Tattoo and the subsequent two books . Extremely intelligent and extremely asocial, two great flavors that go together well.
posted by mono blanco at 12:10 PM on April 10, 2015
posted by mono blanco at 12:10 PM on April 10, 2015
mono blanco, of course, meant to say The Girl With The Golden Gun. ;-)
But you might also want to take a look at the Vald Taltos series by Steven Brust. Starting with Jhereg and going on through several phases. The early books are very fun and pulpy. They become more ambitious as they go on, and Brust has seemed to drop the series entirely a couple times only to start up again.
posted by Naberius at 12:16 PM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
But you might also want to take a look at the Vald Taltos series by Steven Brust. Starting with Jhereg and going on through several phases. The early books are very fun and pulpy. They become more ambitious as they go on, and Brust has seemed to drop the series entirely a couple times only to start up again.
posted by Naberius at 12:16 PM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
It has been a while since I've read any of them, but I think the Flavia de Luce mysteries by Alan Bradley fit your criteria, in that Flavia's curiosity and investigating get her into considerable peril.
posted by joan cusack the second at 12:16 PM on April 10, 2015
posted by joan cusack the second at 12:16 PM on April 10, 2015
Definitely the Queen's Thief books, also they're fantastic. Lyra (from His Dark Materials) also definitely counts.
Phryne Fisher is a reckless, high-living, entirely delightful example of the two-smart-for-her-own-good character; Beryl Markham is a fascinating real-life analog, and her memoir is absolutely fab.
I'd also strongly suggest Peter Grant (and most of the side characters) from the Rivers of London series, which, again, delightful.
posted by you're a kitty! at 1:32 PM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Phryne Fisher is a reckless, high-living, entirely delightful example of the two-smart-for-her-own-good character; Beryl Markham is a fascinating real-life analog, and her memoir is absolutely fab.
I'd also strongly suggest Peter Grant (and most of the side characters) from the Rivers of London series, which, again, delightful.
posted by you're a kitty! at 1:32 PM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Beekeeper's Apprentice and associated books.
posted by maryr at 2:38 PM on April 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by maryr at 2:38 PM on April 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
The Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley. The protagonist is a brilliant chemist and amateur detective.
posted by aviatrix at 3:10 PM on April 10, 2015
posted by aviatrix at 3:10 PM on April 10, 2015
Encyclopedia Brown.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 7:02 PM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Joseph Gurl at 7:02 PM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Seconding Emergence by David R. Palmer, a truly excellent book. There is also a mediocre sequel called Tracking.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:18 PM on April 10, 2015
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:18 PM on April 10, 2015
Basso from The Folding Knife, and if YA novels are okay, then Artemis Fowl.
posted by tautological at 7:33 PM on April 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by tautological at 7:33 PM on April 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Nathaniel in the Bartimaeus Trilogy! Also, seconding Artemis Fowl.
posted by glass origami robot at 7:44 PM on April 10, 2015
posted by glass origami robot at 7:44 PM on April 10, 2015
Stainless Steel Rat books are a ton of fun, compulsively (nonviolent) criminal protagonist; science fiction.
posted by el io at 10:31 PM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by el io at 10:31 PM on April 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Eli Monpress series.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:35 PM on April 10, 2015
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:35 PM on April 10, 2015
If you can call Jeeves the protagonist, then the P.G. Wodehouse Jeeves novels hit your spot pretty well. After all, "Where others merely smite the brow and clutch the hair, he acts. Napoleon was the same."
posted by Joseph Gurl at 12:24 AM on April 11, 2015
posted by Joseph Gurl at 12:24 AM on April 11, 2015
Adelia in Mistress of the Art of Death. 4 fantastic books in the series, but I've never read the last because I'm so sad there aren't any more.
posted by bibliogrrl at 8:47 AM on April 11, 2015
posted by bibliogrrl at 8:47 AM on April 11, 2015
I quite like Pham Nuwen in Vernor Vinge's A Deepness in the Sky.
posted by adrianhon at 2:45 AM on April 12, 2015
posted by adrianhon at 2:45 AM on April 12, 2015
Seconding Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death series (and many of the other recommendations in the thread, actually, especially the Vorkosigan series, and Dorothy Dunnett, and not only The Folding Knife but pretty much anything by K. J. Parker).
(Bibliogrrl, have you seen Franklin's posthumous novel (finished by her daughter), Winter Siege, which doesn't feature Adelia but is at least set in 12th-century Cambridgeshire? Also, have you read the historical novels she wrote under her real name, Diana Norman?)
I think the titular Steerswoman in Rosemary Kirstein's ongoing Steerswoman series might fit the bill too (link is to book 1; the first two books have also been issued in an omnibus volume called The Steerswoman's Road); and I'm confident in suggesting Marcus Didius Falco, Lindsey Davis's ancient Roman detective in spite of himself, whose first appearance is in The Silver Pigs.
I should note that the female protagonists I've mentioned are less hucksterish and more analytical than the male ones.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 4:22 AM on April 12, 2015
(Bibliogrrl, have you seen Franklin's posthumous novel (finished by her daughter), Winter Siege, which doesn't feature Adelia but is at least set in 12th-century Cambridgeshire? Also, have you read the historical novels she wrote under her real name, Diana Norman?)
I think the titular Steerswoman in Rosemary Kirstein's ongoing Steerswoman series might fit the bill too (link is to book 1; the first two books have also been issued in an omnibus volume called The Steerswoman's Road); and I'm confident in suggesting Marcus Didius Falco, Lindsey Davis's ancient Roman detective in spite of himself, whose first appearance is in The Silver Pigs.
I should note that the female protagonists I've mentioned are less hucksterish and more analytical than the male ones.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 4:22 AM on April 12, 2015
Absolutely seconding The Folding Knife, and really most any other book by KJ Parker!
posted by exceptinsects at 2:59 PM on April 12, 2015
posted by exceptinsects at 2:59 PM on April 12, 2015
I feel that Brother William of Baskerville from Umberto Eco's first and best novel The Name Of The Rose is a safe bet here.
posted by turbid dahlia at 3:05 PM on April 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by turbid dahlia at 3:05 PM on April 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
I really loved Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, which is a (full length) Harry Potter fanfiction, that reimagines the world as if "Petunia had married a biochemist, and Harry grew up reading science and science fiction". It's phenomenal, and quite popular. It's also available for free in podcast form if you prefer to listen.
To get a sense of the author's views on what it means to write intelligent characters, this is a good sample Level 1 Intelligent Characters . Level 2 Intelligent Characters
posted by vegetableagony at 11:30 AM on April 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
To get a sense of the author's views on what it means to write intelligent characters, this is a good sample Level 1 Intelligent Characters . Level 2 Intelligent Characters
posted by vegetableagony at 11:30 AM on April 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Sorry I should have put a minor spoiler warning tag on the Level 2 intelligent characters link. The Level 1 link doesn't have any spoilers.
posted by vegetableagony at 11:40 AM on April 25, 2015
posted by vegetableagony at 11:40 AM on April 25, 2015
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