2. Frank Gilbreth from Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey - While Frank Gilbreth isn't exactly a fictional character he is definitely incredibly larger than life and memorable. He's brilliant and devoted to his children but not too worried about using them in his motion study experiments.
3. Pa from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - On the opposite end of the Father of the Year bar is Huck Finn's father who is really just pretty awful and no good.
4. Sully from Any Day Now by Robyn Carr - While Sully isn't Sierra's actual father he is the closest thing she's had to a father and watching their relationship develop was one of my favorite things about this book.
5. Fritz Hudson from The Last Chance Matinee by Mariah Stewart - Fritz isn't actually in this book as he's been dead several months before the beginning but his presence is huge both because of his final requests and from his secrets that his daughters are just now discovering.
7. Poseidon from The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - Because he's Poseidon and it's hard to get more memorable than that!
8. Mr. Murry from Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - Mr. Murry isn't the biggest personality but his presence is so vital to the book and he seems so caring and smart.
9. Mr. Melendy from The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright - The Melendys are one of my very favorite fictional families and Mr. Melendy is one of the best. He's not around all that much - especially when they move to the country but he's always ready to play a game or join in the fun but is still most definitely the authority figure!
10. Pa Ingals from Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingals Wilder - Pa is kind of the fun parent in these books always ready with a treat or a funny story though if I was Ma Ingals I'd be less than thrilled with being drug across prairies just as I finally got windows in my house!
Who are your most memorable fathers?
I remember reading Huck Finn (or part of it) but I don't remember Pa. Although it sounds like I'm not missing much lol. Not winning any dad of the year awards apparently. :)
ReplyDeletePa Ingalls though, I remember from the show. Good times. And Poseidon- the idea of Greek gods as parents is interesting!!
I always loved Nancy Drew's father.
ReplyDeleteSully and Pa Ingals...perfect picks! And I adored Matthew Cuthbert. Great list Katherine.
ReplyDeleteAhh, this is a great list! And I love that not all of your picks are biological fathers -- adoptive fathers are SO important. My husband is both and he's an incredible daddy to all of our children.
ReplyDeleteI found it so hard to think of father's from books so awesome coming up with 10! Great list!
ReplyDeleteGreat choices! And I love your criteria of "memorable," and that you allowed father figures as well as biological fathers. Sully is indeed a wonderful father, both for Maggie and for Sierra. And Poseidon is certainly memorable! I went with "best" fathers in children's and YA fiction, which was surprisingly difficult since so many books feature fathers who are either missing, dead, or terrible. Pa Ingalls, Matthew Cuthbert, and Mr. Murray did make my list, but I forgot all about the father in Serafina and the Black Cloak. Thank you for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteGreat picks. I wouldn't have thought of Frank Gilbreth.
ReplyDeleteI'm always weary of the parents in the Percy Jackson world because they are usually pretty absent, but Poseidon was probably better than most, and certainly memorable. If you're interested, my TTT: http://www.adaster.com/top-ten-tuesday-best-and-worst-dads-in-fiction/
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list! It's really amazing how the father in The Last Chance Matinee is felt so strongly even though he's not really featured in the book. Pa Ingalls was a great father.
ReplyDeleteGreat list and I remember Pa in Huck Finn!
ReplyDeletePa Ingals - a real classic. :)
ReplyDeleteLauren @ Always Me
Great list, as I read it and recognised some of the much loved characters, I was going.... yes, yes, yes!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the books on your list yet; though there are a few I am planning to get to. Grandpa Joe from Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has always stood out as a memorable father. In fact, the whole Bucket family is wonderful! ^.^
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
I would have to say Arthur Weasley from the Harry Potter series. I liked his character.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed learning a bit more about Sully in the first two books of the Robyn Carr series.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of memorable dads! It would be pretty interesting to have Poseidon as your dad!
ReplyDeleteHi! What a good list :) I'm rereading Anne of Green Gables now, and Matthew is such a great one!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
Leslie
I love Matthew Cuthbert!
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't remember the dad from Huckleberry Finn. Of course, I read that years ago. Pa from Little House is a great one.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, this is a great topic, and s usual, I can't remember any dads from a novel. (lol) I think I could squeeze out one or two from television or a movie if you force me. Hugs...
ReplyDeleteI would be at such a loss for this topic. At least at first glance. You've compiled a great list, Katherine. Such wonderful choices! Pa Ingalls stands out in my mind the most of those you mention. But more from the TV show, I'm afraid. I haven't read the books.
ReplyDeleteI wholehearted agree with Matthew from Anne Of Green Gables. I do agree with all the others on your list, that I know, but Matthew is my favorite. :)
ReplyDelete