Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I’d Like to Go to a Cafe With

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. I found this post on TheGeekishBurnette and you should check out this blog if you are a big fan of book reviews and lists.

This week’s prompt was “Characters I’d Like to go on Vacation With” but I quickly realized I wouldn’t want to do that because I’m introverted and prefer going on vacation with maybe. . . one or two people. So I switched it up. Instead, I made a list of characters I’d like to go to a cafe with and have an in-depth conversation with.

(Note: I am late writing this so I apologize it took so long to get this out!)

Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia (1950-1956)

I recently finished The Chronicles of Narnia and loved EVERY scene that included Aslan. Perhaps it’s because I’m Christian or maybe because I longed to have that kind of relationship with a loving God character. Regardless, meeting and talking to Aslan would be a truly wonderful experience.

Here are questions I’d love to ask him:

How did you create Narnia with music?
How many other children did you bring to Narnia or other worlds?
What name do you go by in our world?
How do you keep from forgetting the wonder and curiosity of childhood once you become an adult?

Questions I’m sure he’d ask me:

Have you sought to know and understand me in this world?
Didn’t you see me at these pivotal moments in your life?
Have you kept your promises and worked to improve every day?

Johannes Verne from The Lonesome Gods (1983)

Johannes Verne is a character I understand in many ways. He grew up extraordinarily fast, prefers quiet, open spaces, seeks every opportunity to read and learn, and loves singularly and passionately. If I could meet him, I would love to learn about his experiences and comment on how the world has stayed the same and changed.

Here are some questions I’d ask him:

What profession did you finally choose for yourself?
Did you teach your children the same way as your parents did?
Did Miss Nesselrode ever marry that Russian agent?
What are your favorite books/ Who are your favorite authors?

Questions I’m sure he’d ask me:

Could you tell me about major historical events that happened since my time?
What are some books/authors you would recommend?
What happened to the many native American tribes throughout the last 2 centuries?

Santiago from The Alchemist (1988)

This would be a fortuitous meeting for me. I love how this book portrays self-discovery and growing into different places and people. If I ever met the main character Santiago I’d love to swap stories about our different experiences.

Here are some questions I’d ask him:

Did you ever meet the Alchemist again?
Once you reunited with Fatima, did you stay with her in the Oasis or move on to different places your heart called you to?
How did you teach your children to follow their heart songs as they grew older?
What religion do you follow that you feel aligns with your discoveries and beliefs?

Questions I’m sure he’d ask me:

Where have you traveled in your life?
Have you found the place where you want to stay?
If not, why do you stay where you are?

Liesel from The Book Thief (2005)

This is not a happy book, but I truly and sincerely cared for the characters in it. Liesel was the only one who survived World War II, besides the Jewish man they housed in their basement. If I could meet her, I’d love to know so much about her experiences post-World War II.

Here are some questions I’d ask her:

Who did you marry?
Which side of Berlin were you on, East or West?
How did you feel about the Nuremberg Trials and how they treated German war criminals?
What books became your favorites once you were allowed to read and collect whatever you wanted?

Questions I’m sure she’d ask me:

How do you feel about the Germans? Do you think they were all criminals?
Do you know about the Holocaust camps?
As an American, what do they teach you about our history?

Hem from The Crow (2006)

I’m a bit of a music nerd (that’s the understatement of the century) and loved reading the Pellinor series when I was a teenager. The idea of music being used for MAGIC was altogether ideal for me. Although I do like Maerad, I would want to talk to Hem more. Although he started the series as a very young child, he grew into quite an adult.

Here are some questions I’d ask him:

Where did you eventually settle?
Did you never get married because of your first love?
How did you feel about your sister’s choices after everything was finished?
Did you ever end up playing any musical instruments?

Questions I’m sure he’d ask me:

Do you believe in life after death?
Has there ever been someone you loved deeply, who you tragically lost?
Do you play musical instruments?

Tohru from the Fruits Basket Series (1999-2006)

I’ve talked before about how much I love this manga series. Tohru is the core reason why I still feel drawn to it as an adult. Although she was already an incredible person as a teenager, I feel we could have a wonderful conversation as adults.

Here are some questions I’d ask her:

When did you and Kyo finally marry?
Where did you and Kyo travel to after high school?
Were you able to stay in touch with all your friends and family throughout your life?
What did you and Kyo name your child?

Questions I’m sure she’d ask me:

Where are you from? Could you tell me your story?
What is it you love to do the most?
What is your family like? How many relatives do you have?

Jo from Little Women (1869)

I have a confession. . . I haven’t read this book. (No tomatoes or gasps from the audience please!) However, I’ve seen several renditions of the story on film and TV. My favorites are probably either the 2019 or 1994 version. I’ve gravitated more and more towards Jo as a character and feel we have a lot in common when it comes to our life circumstances.

Here are some questions I’d ask her:

Do you regret going against your wishes as a young teenager to travel the world and become a famous writer?
What was running your school like?
Have you ever regretted marrying your “German professor”?
Have you found peace in the path you’ve taken in your life?

Questions I’m sure she’d ask me:

Are you a writer? If so, what have you written?
Where did you grow up?
What is your family like?
Is there anything you’ve really wanted to do but haven’t been able to because of your circumstances?

The Creature from Frankenstein (1818)

I fight for this book whenever I hear people criticize it unjustifiably. It has such rich prose and my heart aches for the Creature created by Frankenstein and abandoned. I don’t think I would enjoy talking to Frankenstein too much, but I would love to sit down with the Creature and have a heart-to-heart talk about his life.

Here are some questions I’d ask him:

Do you regret killing the innocent people you did?
Are there authors and books you found that you truly love?
Do you believe in God or do you consider Frankenstein to be your God?
Have you ever found someone who accepted and loved you for who you are?
Where did you go after tracking Frankenstein down?

Questions I’m sure he’d ask me:

Are you afraid of me?
What does Frankenstein’s story say about me?
Do you think people would still reject me if I lived during your time?
What are some great places you’ve traveled to?

The Red King from the Charlie Bone Series (2002-2009)

Although talking to Charlie would be interesting since we are basically the same age, I would actually like to talk to The Red King. Since he is the ancestor of all the main characters in the story, I feel he would have a lot of insight into how God feels watching people turn away and choose evil over good.

Here are some questions I’d ask him:

Where did you meet your wife Beatrice?
Do you believe in an afterlife?
What has been your hardest challenge throughout your long life?
Where did you inherit your powers from?

Questions I’m sure he’d ask me:

Are you also a part of my family?
Do you cherish the family members you have?
Do you believe in an afterlife? If so, what is it like?

Anne Elliot from Persuasion (1817)

I never read Persuasion as a teenager but stumbled onto it later in life when I was about 27 or so. I’m glad I did because Anne Elliot and I have a lot in common. Of all the Jane Austin heroines, I feel we are the most alike in temperament. She had regrets in her life, but eventually found happiness and wisdom.

Here are some questions I’d ask her:

If you could talk to your younger self, what would you tell her?
Do you regret marrying later in your life?
What would you tell someone who was in a similar situation as you were?
Did you have any children?

Questions I’m sure she’d ask me:

What are some of your deepest regrets?
Why haven’t you married?
Are there more opportunities for women in your time, beyond staying home or marrying?
If you could talk to your younger self what would you tell her?

Thank you all for reading! Hope you have a great day and go out of your way to read a book.