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Romantic Heroes I Would Definitely Date

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Annika Barranti Klein

Staff Writer

Annika Barranti Klein likes books, obviously.   Twitter: @noirbettie

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It seems only fair, since I listed so many favorites whom I would not date, that I list a few I would definitely get a pizza with.

I’m expanding from strictly romantic heroes (in fact, there aren’t any here, and my research suggests that not ONE of them is dateable) to any hero from (mostly classic, fairly YA-leaning) literature who I’m kinda into. I’m sure I’m leaving someone out, and of course what floats my boat may sink yours, or at least sail past (help I am stuck in this metaphor), so please leave your choices in the comments.

jonathan crombie as gilbert blytheGilbert Blythe, Anne of Green Gables

Anne and Gilbert’s path from enemies to dear friends to husband and wife gets right everything that was wrong in Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship. Gilbert is steadfast and loves Anne for who she really is–and he doesn’t care two figs who her family is, except to love them because Anne does. (It doesn’t hurt that Jonathan Crombie was so perfect in the Kevin Sullivan productions.)

Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird
I don’t think it’s a stretch to imagine oneself marrying Maycomb’s most eligible widower. He’s got a good job, great kids, and he understands people. Actually, he sounds kind of like my husband…

Peregrine, The Ordinary Princess
The perfect fairy tale man-of-all-work in the perfect fairy tale.

Paavo, The Bronze King
Paavo is not a romantic character, but plays the role of a sort of father figure to the young heroine of this wonderful fantasy novel. That said, I am not twelve years old and I think he’s dreamy. He plays the violin and fights evil.

cap garlandCap Garland, The Long Winter

Almanzo Wilder was great, don’t get me wrong, but I always thought Cap was the dreamy one. He found town in the middle of a blizzard and saved all the school children! He found the wheat and saved the whole town! He liked sleigh rides and playing games, and he defended the girls! Cap 4EVA.
(That’s really him at left! What a dreamboat.)

(A brief note: I wanted to include some ladies in this post. I found, though, that if I like a heroine, I want to be her, not date her. So this is kind of a sausage fest. It was not intentional!)