{"id":138576,"date":"2021-03-08T10:56:09","date_gmt":"2021-03-07T23:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/?p=138576"},"modified":"2021-03-23T08:49:19","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T21:49:19","slug":"its-international-womens-day-see-our-favourite-female-characters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/2021\/03\/08\/its-international-womens-day-see-our-favourite-female-characters\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s International Women’s Day – see our favourite female characters!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"International<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Today is International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. With the announcement of the Stella Prize longlist<\/a><\/strong> last week, we figured it’s a pretty great time to reflect on some of those achievements by women within the wonderful world of books!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we asked a few Booktopians about their favourite female characters and got some very interesting answers in return. In our list of favourites, you’ll find some classic women heroines alongside some newer names, from a wonderful mix of contemporary women’s fiction, classic literature, young adult fiction and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scroll down to see all of our favourite female characters (and happy International Women’s Day)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Olivia Fricot – Senior Content Producer<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Emma Woodhouse from Emma<\/a><\/em> by Jane Austen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I love them:<\/strong> Jane Austen famously described Emma Woodhouse as \u2018a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like.\u2019 Well, Jane Austen didn\u2019t account for me because not only is Emma Woodhouse my favourite Austen character, she\u2019s one of my favourite literary characters of all time. Her (admittedly many) flaws make me love her all the more, not only because they result in some hilariously on-point social comedy, but because they make her more human. Emma\u2019s journey towards becoming a kinder, more compassionate person is a welcome reminder that to be an accomplished young woman is to be more than just handsome, clever or rich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sam Joice – Campaign Manager<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Alanna of Trebond from The Song of the Lioness<\/a> series by Tamora Pierce<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I love them:<\/strong> Alanna\u2019s dream is to become a knight of the realm, so she takes matters into her own hands, disguising herself as a boy so she can try for knighthood. Despite the obstacles in her way, physical, political, and magical, she became the first female knight in Tortall in over a century, forging a path for girls and women like her. Tamora Pierce has written many young adult novels, and the female characters all show different ways of being \u2018strong\u2019 – physical strength, resolve, perseverance, intelligence, political savviness – and they continue to inspire us to be the heroine of our own stories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Side note – The TV rights for Pierce\u2019s Tortall novels have been optioned, so one day we might finally get to see an adaptation!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sarah McDuling – Kids & YA Category Manager<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre<\/a><\/em> by Charlotte Bronte<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I love them:<\/strong> I love Jane because she is so fierce. She won my admiration at the beginning of the book as a furious little girl who, when faced with a priest trying to frighten her with threats of hell, calmly replied that she would avoid hell by remaining in good health and not dying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jane consistently refuses to let people\u2019s expectations of her alter who she is. She is steadfast in her values and beliefs, no matter how often she\u2019s tested. I can think of easily fifty quotes that demonstrate her fierce strength of will but I\u2019ll go with this one as I think it shows what a protofeminist heroine she is \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts, as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, to absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex.<\/em>\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Amy Evans – Lifestyle Assistant Category Manager<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Felicity Montague from The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy<\/a><\/em> by Mackenzi Lee<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a>
Art by Ace Artemis Fanartist<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I love them:<\/strong> While I fell in love with this series through the eyes of her brother Monty in Gentleman\u2019s Guide<\/em>, Felicity is the ultimate 18th century feminist we all need. Felicity is constantly told she can\u2019t<\/em>, she shouldn\u2019t<\/em> and no<\/em>, but no isn\u2019t an option for her. Her solo book is a true adventure story of some fierce female characters who all represent strength and intelligence in their own ways. And bonus, they are all based on real badass women in history!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘You deserve to be here. You deserve to exist. You deserve to take up space in this world of men<\/em>.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cassandra Sharpe – Non-Fiction Assistant Category Manager<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jude Duarte from The Folk of the Air<\/a> series by Holly Black<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a>
Art by wictorianart<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I love them:<\/strong> Jude stole my heart when I started reading The Cruel Prince<\/em>. As a mortal growing up in the world of Faerie, Jude isn\u2019t immortal or charming \u2014 instead she is hellbent on forcing her way into the Faerie Court by becoming a knight. And her first opponent? The cruel prince himself, Carden Greenbriar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Instead of being afraid, I could become something to fear<\/em>.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s Jude\u2019s transformation from stubborn outcast to puppet-master that I love the most. She wants power, will do anything to get it and wouldn\u2019t think of apologising. Jude\u2019s determination, intelligence and strength of will are admirable traits, even in the face of certain death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hannah Armstrong – Fiction Assistant Category Manager<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games<\/a> series by Suzanne Collins<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I love them:<\/strong> It\u2019s been over ten years since I read a little book called The Hunger Games<\/em>, and though other female characters have come and gone, my love for Katniss Everdeen is forever. Katniss is the original badness female protagonist of the YA genre. She is the archetype and the standard, someone who inspired not only hundreds of other fictional characters but also the leagues of teen girls that read about her. Katniss is tough, resourceful, brave, compassionate, fiercely loyal and skilled with a bow and arrow. She is also deeply flawed, with her actions sometimes falling into a moral grey area. Above all, Katniss refuses to be dragged down by her circumstances and fights even when the odds are stacked against her. She is a total inspiration and one of my favourite fictional characters of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eden Samuel – Kids & YA Assistant Category Manager<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lila Bard from the Shades of Magic<\/a> series by V.E. Schwab<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a>
Art by Kira Knight<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I love them:<\/strong> Fiercely loyal with a heart of gold, Lila sacrifices much for her loved ones while sticking to her guns. Cunning, daring and quick-witted, she is reminiscent of Inej from Six of Crows<\/em> – a wraith in the dark to be feared and revered. I appreciate how even when she finds love, she does not let that deter her from realising her dreams. She isn\u2019t a character that things happen to, but rather the catalyst for the most interesting parts of the plot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Renae Adolfson – Trade Product Coordinator<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Vivian Morris from City of Girls<\/a><\/em> by Elizabeth Gilbert<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I love them:<\/strong> Vivian Morris has the kind of voice that clearly resounds in your mind, and stays with you long after you have turned the last page. In her narrative, an elderly Vivian recounts the scintillating acts of her youth to a young lady in a long letter. She is unapologetically honest, wonderfully witty, and completely raw in her commentary of her life in the 1940s. She is by far one of the strongest female voices I have ever heard, and I both adore and idolise her for being able to show remorse without being ashamed. Vivian challenged the social norms and etiquette of her time and showed a strength and resilience that inspires one to experience as much as life has to offer, and to never settle for what the place or time you are caught up in determines you should want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Zia Keirouz – Executive Assistant to the CEO<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Waris Dirie from her memoir, Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Life of a Desert Nomad<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I love them:<\/strong> This memoir was the first one I read about a woman and her extraordinary life. It was the first to open my eyes to what so many women endure. Elton John describes her as, \u2018the most beautiful inspiration to anyone\u2019. Her CV includes: international supermodel, human rights ambassador and activist, author, actress and mother. Her story of courage and determination still resonates with me today. She is not defined or limited by her past and her tragedies only made her stronger!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Emma Ryan – Account Consultant Education\/Corporate<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kate Sheffield from The Viscounts Who Loved Me<\/a><\/em> by Julia Quinn<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I love them:<\/strong> Kate was a great leading lady to read. She is feisty, goes head to head with Anthony and is cut throat at pall mall (If you know, you know). What I particularly liked about her and her family in the book, The Viscount Who Loved Me<\/em>, is they are new to the Ton and are a fresh breath of air in high society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jane Opie – Order Management Consultant<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Phryne Fisher from Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries<\/a> by Kerry Greenwood<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why I love them:<\/strong> Miss Fisher \u2014 she\u2019s fabulously wealthy, she\u2019s scandalous, and she has a flawless wardrobe. Set in 1920\u2019s Melbourne, this lady detective takes society by storm, sends the bad guys to jail and looks utterly divine doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Check out our International Women’s Day collection<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"International<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How are you celebrating International Women’s Day? Tell us below!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Katniss Everdeen, Emma Woodhouse, Phryne Fisher and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":138588,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[10063,9236,12609,1795,1824,8363,2613,2717,2926,3046,12607,12611,9785,12606,5102,5148,8364,5621,12608,8707,12610],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/iwd-blog-social.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138576"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=138576"}],"version-history":[{"count":63,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138576\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139904,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138576\/revisions\/139904"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/138588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=138576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=138576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=138576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}