James Metcalf on the fictionality of the latest archaeological page-turners
Stephen Puddicombe looks at the unusual appeal of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot
Ciaran Rafferty investigates the science of book classification
Helen Memel (Wetlands) - Charlotte Roche
Published in English in 2009, Helen Memel is our 18 year old heroine who has recently had her tubes tied in favour of raising an avocado. While in hospital for vaginal injuries sustained in the most tooth-grinding of fashions, she tells of her aesthetics, which managed to shock even Private Eye, while describing what it is to be a woman.
Rachel (The Rachel Papers) - Martin Amis
He has been described as a misogynist, a nepot, even overrated. But Martin Amis remains one of his lifetime's greatest writers. And while his later novels are increasingly baffling, The Rachel Papers is decidedly British literature's finest coming of age novel. Rachel is the rebellious, sexy, cool, local teenager. Charles is the Holden-esque protagonist living out his last few days of GCEs in the best way.
Elizabeth Bennett (Pride and Prejudice) - Jane Austen
Literature's finest heroine spends an entire novel teasing poor Mr Darcy and being every much his equal, creating a female lead that remains the model for any chick-flick writer looking to make some decent bank. Ms Bennett is strong, cock-sure, and entirely unforgettable, a character who is remembered as much for her words as for her spirit.
You must log in to submit a comment.
