Favorite Fictional Fathers

Fabulous Fathers in Fiction

So I thought it'd be fun to take a look at some favorite Fathers in fiction. I asked several friends and family and here are the Fathers who made our top five.

5: Mr. Bennet of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. You have to respect a man trying to juggle the courtships of so many daughters all while putting up with, and even loving, their over bearing mother. "An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do." 4: Malcom Dresden from the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. We don't actually see much of Malcom Dresden in the series, as he died early in Harry's life, however, the lingering influence of Harry's gentle magician father reflects through the entire series. Malcom Dresden gave Harry not only his names, but his deep love for magic and for people. "Son. Everyone dies alone. That's what it is. It's a door. It's one person wide. When you go through it, you do it alone." His fingers squeezed me tight. "But it doesn't mean you've got to be alone before you go through the door. And believe me, you aren't alone on the other side." 3: Aral Vorkosigan from Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan saga. Much of the Vorkosigan series is focused on Miles as a view point character and his journey to greatness, but that greatness wouldn't be possible without his father. Aral is an accomplished warrior, politician, husband and father, the last two perhaps his greatest accomplishments. Even if he's off screen his presence is always felt. "Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself." 2: Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. I remember watching the old black and white movie of To Kill a Mockingbird when I was in grade school. There is a moment where Atticus holds Scout and tries to explain their very ugly world, and in that moment he was all the things a father should be trying to make the world a better place for his child. "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." 1: Calvin's Dad from Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson. My relationship with Calvin's Dad, the poor man who doesn't even get a name, has changed over the years. At one point I sided with Calvin thinking he was a little too...too. Then I found Dad a figure of humor. Now that I have children of my own I look on Calvin's Dad with vast empathy. It isn't easy to civilize these little barbarians we call children. However, it is totally worth it. "Being a parent is wanting to hug and strangle your kid at the same time." So there are some of my favorite literary dads. They're pretty cool...though everyone knows my sweet husband and my own father are even cooler. :) Happy Father's Day to all. ~Jana