h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Lolita.

What, aged 11 at the beginning of the book, Humbert? Or 17 or so at the end?

Just want to clarify.

agcB

What about Mercutio, and for that matter Tybalt. Why did Juliet fall for that wet drip Romeo when those two funny, smart, and above all SEXY men were around?

agcB

Oh, are you just saying that because Romeo is too young for you?

I really hope my mention of Lolita doesn't set me us as your 'dirty old man of the month'. I was only 13 when I read it. She and I coulda been 'friends'. Lady Chatterly was way too old for me.

'up' I meant 'set me up as'
*shoots self in foot*
Bang!

Ford Prefect

Etienne from Alex Garland's The Beach

Athene from the Odyssey

and quite a lot more actually but its hard off the top of your head.

Samuel Peyps. Not a literary character as such, since he was real, but a man just full of life, humour and inventiveness. A big hit with the ladies too.

I'm glad I'm not the first to come up with a DH Lawrence: The first one that springs to my mind is the Gypsy in "The Virgin and the Gypsy", although it is rather unsubtle (but first read at an impressionable age). Like the idea of Tybalt and Mercutio though.

And, of course, as I have said elsewhere: Captain Carrot.

Cool thread.

Right, Friday from Heinlein's book of the same name, actually a few of the key female characters in his books are worth a look at, such as in 'Glory Road' and 'To Sail beyond Sunset' and 'Job'

Also Angelina from Harry Harrisons 'Stainless Steel Rat' series.

Um, there are more, oh yes, Rydra Wong from 'Babel-17' by Sam Delaney, of course

And Yalson from Iain M Banks 'Consider Phleabus' she is covered in light blond hairs. Kinky or what?

Faramir in LOTR...

And agcB said: "Why did Juliet fall for that wet drip Romeo when those two funny, smart, and above all SEXY men were around?"
Couldn't agree more - Mercutio is just...yummy...

Absolutely with you all on the Mercutio thing!

Now, who else..?
Marius from Les Miserables (although that could have something to do with the show also!)
Mr. Knightley in Emma
The guy in Anne Rice's "Witching Hour" whose name just will not come to me this early in the morning.
The guy in Vikram Seth's "An Equal Music" - so sensitive & stuff (and a little unpredictable) - what is it with me and names this morning, oh well!!

And, whoever said Dave Lister from Red Dwarf - well, I kind of actually agree with you - but don't tell anyone

-- violagirl

I think this is really going to set me apart, but i find Vaughan, the stange, f****d up protagonist of J G Ballard's Crash. i thought he was incredibly sexy and provocative, despite him being a guy who gets off on car crashes. don't know if this says more about me than anything else. scary!

Hmm. Neither Mr Knightly nor the guy in the Vikram Seth did it for me.

I'm getting kinda fond of Yossaarian in Catch 22. Sits around naked in trees at funerals, which is a nice approach, I think.

agcB

Yossaarian... noble, and yet vaguely dirty. I guess I can see it.

Not even vaguely dirty. Just dirty. Sock it to me one more time, Yo!

agcB

Oh yes, Mercutio. I usually stop reaing when he gets it. One of the (fewish) good things about that film shakepeare in Love was the conciet that R and J was real;ly a play about Mecutio. Should have been, certainly.

Glad somebody's finally mentioned Faramir. He is *the* classic male hero figure of the book

Just realised i forgot to add Trillian, who, in my impressional young years, made me consider seriously a course in Astrophysics, cos it sounded quite cool
Plus having discussed this subject amongst my co-workers, one mentioned any of the women who feature in the Gor series of books by John Norman, because they are totally submissive.

Actually, now you mention it, Arthur Dent also has latent sex-appeal. And Dirk Gently. There's something about Englishmen does something for me. Probably because I missed out. Haven't had one since school.

Hell - did I write that? Must be . Hope it gets moderated away.