Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I’d Like To Switch Places With

This was a tough topic for me. I’m not into fantasy and “other worlds,” so that avenue was pretty much closed. I read a lot of nonfiction or historical fiction based on real people, too.

Here are the characters I’d like to change place with:

From Books

1. Rosetta

I’ve long been fascinated by the Civil War. This book, one of the few woman-disguised-as-man books that have ever “worked” for me, tells the story of a new wife who goes to war to be with her husband. There is much more to it though!

My review from my old blog: I started to reject this out-of-hand: a woman impersonating a man to fight in the Civil War? Please! I’m so glad I didn’t. While there is a rather odd little sub-story of (I am confused which!) of a Christian guy falling for the woman while presenting as a man (or did he see thru that?) or was he gay and attracted to her as a man? Very odd. Otherwise, this is an amazing story–the reviewers were right–the battle scenes are almost too vivid. This is a love story of the highest order as well as being as story of self-discovery (not discovery of sexual “identity”), of marriage, of coming-of-age, of so much more. This is not to be missed! I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe.

2. A nameless student at Hogwarts

So are the Aristocracy–the Malfoys–as stuck up as we think? Are Harry, Ron, and Hermoine too much of a clique? Are the Quidditch players as full of themselves as basketball and football players? Is movie Draco’s movie Dad as hot as I think he is every time I watch these movies? Is Professor McGonigal approachable? Can I really work with dragons? Can I skip mandrake-potting and just hide in the library? Harry Potter series.

3. Clay in Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Here’s how I described this book on my old blog: “I’m not sure how to review this fun book without giving spoilers! Part Harry Potter, party mystery, part almost, but not quite, sci-fi–this is such a great read!!! Just go read it!!!” Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan.

4. A Wife at Los Alamos

This book was disappointing, but what a fascinating thing to live thru. And in a place that was about as foreign to most Americans of that day as a south seas island. Here’s my review from my old blog: “Like  The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka, this book is told in a slightly odd, almost poetic, plural voice that generalizes everything. “Our Marcias got chicken pox…” (p. 14) “We were round-faced, boisterous, austere, thin-boned…” (p. 12). It does not read like a novel, but does tell the story in its way. Like reading a montage of photos. I  hope this isn’t the new cool literary fad of the year. It’s very difficult to follow the thread of the story–all the “we” and “us” get in the way. There is no one to focus on. A group is too much.Minor historical errors of this magnitude: Soldiers in World War II weren’t issued black glasses.” The Wives of Los Alamos by Tarashea Nesbit.

5. An evesdroper at the table next to the Swans and Truman

Wouldn’t that have been fun? Imagine evesdropping on these beauties! The Swans of Fifth Avenue: A Novel by Melanie Benjamin. Read my review here.

6. A Lady In Waiting at the Court During the War of the Roses

Here’s part of the review from my old blog that makes the story seem very, very current! “Remember, in the Bible, it tells us there is nothing new under the sun? The War of Roses then is simply Gang Warfare–late 15th Century Style. The great warlord, Warwick, the rival gangs York and Lancaster–each with their colors and symblols (rose tattoo anyone??). The gangs fight, steal land, pillage treasuries, bed daughters,etc. See if this, also, sounds familiar? An heir to the British throne, Edward, is “bewitched” and “besotted” and completely under the thumb of a woman most people can’t stand!” The Kingmaker’s Daughter by Philippa Gregory.

7.  A friend of Christopher Robin’s

Admit it. You’ve always wanted to play with Tigger! And hug Pooh and just be there with them all. Winne the Pooh by A.A. Milne.

From Movies And TV

8.  A policy wonk in Jeb Bartlett’s White House in the West Wing

One wife, nice to his staff, no bimbo erruptions or paid-off hookers–Jeb Bartlet was a good guy. I’d work for him. Even if I didn’t agree with him on all things. It worked for Ainsley Hayes

9. Wardrobe Assistant for P.T. Barnum in the Greatest Showman

10. The Person Who Explained to the Professor That You Can’t Get That Lost on a 3-Hour Tour: Gilligan’s Island

Professor is alone on the right

This has bugged me since childhood. If the professor can make a radio battery out of a coconut, why couldn’t he make sextant and figure out their location?? Just goes to proove that crazy academics have been with us forever.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl--here’s a link to the rules. Why not join in the fun next week?