Characters You Mourn

ETA: I’ve removed “Recent Comments” from the sidebar to avoid spoilers due to this topic. PLEASE make sure you follow the instructions on how to comment below—thank you!!

I asked this question a few days ago on Twitter, but I’ve been thinking about it more. Since today is Memorial Day in the US, a day of barbecue, the unofficial start of summer, and a day of remembering those who died in military service. According to the wikipedia entry, Memorial Day’s history begins in the Civil War: “Begun as a ritual of remembrance and reconciliation after the civil war, by the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as ordinary people visited the graves of their deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not.”

(Can I say, as an aside, “Happy” Memorial Day seems to be the most ludicrous thing to say to someone? Have a great funeral! Merry Yom Kippur! Festive Good Friday! Anyway.)

Because today is all about remembering people, I wanted to ask you a question, and I’ve been struggling with ways to do this, since the answers you provide may be incredibly spoiler-y for other readers.

Which characters from books that you’ve read do you still mourn? Whose deaths in fiction do you still think about?

Here’s how I’d like to politely request you format your answer. At the top of your comment, please put the book or series your comment is about, with or without the author name, and then hit the return key a bunch of time to drop your answer down. That way, if someone doesn’t want to read about that series or book, they can skip to the next one – or avoid the comment thread all together.

My answer is below the fold.

JR Ward, Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

 

 

One character I think about still, years later, is Wellsie from JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I probably should have known she wouldn’t survive the series because she was so strong a female (heh) but her kindness to John Matthew and her innate goodness left a profound impression on me when I read the series. I still remember the scene where she made rice with ginger in it for John Matthew, whose stomach was upset constantly, and my out-loud cry of “NO” when I read what happened to her.

 

What about you? Which deceased fictional characters do you still mourn?

 

 

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Random Musings

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  1. Allison says:

    This is so far away from romance, but I remember being absolutely wrecked over this book. Star Wars: Vector Prime by R. A. Salvatore

     

    How could any Star Wars fan (even the most casual) not be upset when Chewbacca sacrificed his own life to save that of his best friend’s youngest child? I guess there was no better way for him to go, other than in a blaze of heroic glory…. but I still cried for twenty minutes straight, enough that the pages of my copy of that book were water wrinkled and a little smudged.

  2. Leslie says:

    Sookie Stackhouse series Dead and Gone

     

     

    Poor Claudine! I really adored her and she was so happy! Harris has given the shocking deaths before – there is one in her Aurora Teagarden mysteries that made me throw the book down and go for a long cry – and swear not to read the rest of the series (of course, I did)

  3. Amber says:

    This was a recent one, but the death of Darcy in Tender Mercies hit me really hard. I didn’t see it coming at all, which is part of Kitty Thomas’ genius, and I kept mourning her through the rest of the book, and even afterwards.

  4. Cara Ellison says:

    Edouard de Chivigney from “Destiny”.  I ache for him – and it’s been 15 years since I first read the book.  It hurts to even think about him.  Destiny is my favorite book, but I can barely read it anymore because it is so painful.

  5. grad_grrrl says:

    King Lir in Two-Hearts (Peter S. Beagle). I cry every time.

  6. grad_grrrl says:

    Also: Warden Morgan in the Dresden Files.

    I’m one of the 5 people in the world that actually likes the guy..

  7. Penni says:

    Anne of Green Gables Series by LM Montgomery
    The Song of the Lioness Quartet Series by Tamora Pierce
    The Harry Potter Series by Rowling
    Pursued by Catherine Mann (the 1st Athena Force series)

     

     

     

    Anne – both Matthew and Walter. Mathew’s love for Anne was so much more obvious and gentle than Marilla’s that I really felt for poor Anne when Matthew dies. And Walter, esp when Jem comes home and Walter isn’t there . . .

    The Song of the Lioness Quartet – I can’t remember his name, but Alanna’s second lover (was it Liam?). My babysitter did NOT warn me that several of the “good guys” die in the final battle, so I was pretty upset with her b/c I just like to be prepared for these things. I wanted him to go on and mentor other people and have his own HEA.

    Harry Potter – no one has mentioned Dobby!! I was so upset when Dobby died. Maybe it was b/c I listened to the series (the Jim Dale recordings) but I loved Dobby. He was so loyal to Harry and so brave and good. And Harry digging the grave by hand and without magic and the grave marker noting that Dobby was a free elf. I was mixed about Severus Snape’s death. When he makes Harry look into his eyes – it’s not until the next section that we learn how much Severus loved Lily and that he was looking into Lily’s eyes when he died (b/c of course through the whole series we’ve heard over and over that Harry has Lily’s eyes). Of course, we could all write papers on whether or not it was a healthy love. And if he hadn’t died and given his memories to Harry (I can’t see him just sharing his memories with Harry otherwise) we never would have learned that important bit of his back story.

    Not that I wasn’t upset about Sirius, esp since Harry’s youthful stupidity led to Sirius’s death. I didn’t mind Dumbledore’s so much . . . Fred, yes, I was upset over Fred, esp for poor George.

    Cowboy in Pursued by Catherine Mann. It seemed such a waste and was such a surprise and I don’t remember it serving a purpose to the plot. It didn’t help that I was reading it in November and every week in November has a painful anniversary for me so I didn’t need a surprise useless death.

  8. Tiblet says:

    The Hollows

    Kistan—I have to agree with KimberlyR. They would have been a great couple, and for me, her books were already becoming meh.

     

    Redwall

     

    Martin dying bothered me a lot. I read them all as a fairly young teen (through Taggerung) and that was one of the most emotional parts for me out of the entire series.

     

    Harry Potter

     

    Oddly enough, Dobby was the character that brought tears when he died. He was such a loving, feeling character.

     

    Dragonlance

     

    Flint the dwarf. He was always so gruff, but he was always there when you needed him, even for Tas, who he probably wanted to choke every other minute.

    Spamword:total53 I could probably come up with 53 characters this topic relates to. I get way too involved with the characters.

  9. Liz says:

    Harry Potter Series

     

    Penni, I completely agree with you about Dobby.  I couldn’t believe it when I read the book—it was just so sad!  My mom has never read the series, but she was shocked when she watched the first part of HP7 with me.

  10. ReadinginAK says:

    A Prayer for Owen Meany (Irving)

     

    The first time I read this book, I was still surprised when Owen dies. You know it’s coming through the whole book and still… It gets me every time.

    Agreed with comments about The Book Thief. Similarly, I was stunned at some of the deaths in The Long Walk.

  11. JennKinPA says:

    For a Few Demons More in The Hollows series by Kim Harrison

     

     

    As KimberlyR and readerdiane said, Kisten. 5 books in, and WHAM! Although by that point I knew it wasn’t a “romance,” I was utterly unprepared for his death.

    bring75: Yep, bring at least 75 tissues.

  12. Stefanie says:

    Rilla of Ingleside
    Harry Potter series

    Oh, my poor Walter.  He was my favorite of Anne’s brood, but his death is sadder because of how Una Merideth was affected.  She loved Walter so much, but he couldn’t see it through his infatuation with Faith Merideth.  Una became the maiden aunt because she loved Walter too much to marry someone else.  Every time I read the book I want Walter to come home and marry Una and live happily ever after.

     

    Fred was sad, but Remus and Tonks were sadder.  These two characters finally got some happiness in their lives only to die sudden one-sentence deaths.  No heroic scenes viewed by Harry or ILYs exchanged as they sacrificed all for freedom.  I really didn’t care too much when Sirius died, Dobby was sad but he also annoyed me a lot, and I was prepared for Dumbledore.  Fred was also sudden, but he got a sendoff scene at least.

  13. Amanda says:

    Lirrel in Beldan’s Fire, book three of the Oran-New Moon series by Midori Snyder.

    When she died, refusing to abandon the peacekeeper’s role she had held to her whole life, I cried like a big crying thing.

    The end of Sheri S. Tepper’s A Plague of Angels hit me like a punch to the gut. I was in no way prepared for Orphan’s death. I kept going back and re-reading it, hoping there was some way I was mistaken.

    It was a perfect ending and sort of had to be that way, but O, the sorrow. I was so glad that Abasio and Blue came back in her last book, so I could see how things turned out for him.

  14. Amanda says:

    Lirrel in Beldan’s Fire, book three of the Oran-New Moon series by Midori Snyder.

    When she died, refusing to abandon the peacekeeper’s role she had held to her whole life, I cried like a big crying thing.

    The end of Sheri S. Tepper’s A Plague of Angels hit me like a punch to the gut. I was in no way prepared for Orphan’s death. I kept going back and re-reading it, hoping there was some way I was mistaken.

    It was a perfect ending and sort of had to be that way, but O, the sorrow. I was so glad that Abasio and Blue came back in her last book, so I could see how things turned out for him.

  15. Cat S says:

    Broken by Megan Hart

    Not a light read because it is a book about grief from beginning to end.  Sadie is grieving the loss of what she and Adam had long before he actually dies.  An amazing, gut wrenching book.

    Re: Wellsie and BDB…it would actually be a let down for me if Wellsie came back.  IMHO, the bigger opportunity would be to see Tohr continuing to work through his grief and learning that you can truly love without losing yourself while someone new battles Wellsie’s ghost for a place in his life.

  16. I grieve for characters in series more than anything. The ones that I morn more than anything come from Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.

     

    Harry Potter:
    I mourn all the characters who died, but the ones I cried the most over (and still cry every time I reread!) are Dobby and Colin Creevy. Something about the innocent dying really gets to me.

    The Hunger Games:
    Prim’s death KILLED me. I sobbed. It was so sudden and pointless. It’s one of those book moments I can’t get out of my head.

  17. becca says:

    Paladin of Souls, by Lois McMaster Bujold
    The Vorkosigan books, also by Lois

     

    Ahrys’ death has been mentioned, but the scene where Ista gives him the benediction before his last ride was wonderful and never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

    Sargent Botharai’s death also gets to me – he was such a monster, and yet such a desperately damaged person who became more than a monster because Cordelia believed him to be more. His death hit me like it hit Miles – very hard.

    I *knew* Aral was going to die, but the end of Cryoburn hits like a ton of bricks, particularly the five “drabbles” at the end.

  18. Lori says:

    Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres.

    When Carlo, the soldier throws himself in front of Corelli to save his life, I sobbed as I read. That was one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever read in my life and one of the most selfless acts of love ever.

  19. Cät von J says:

    Nora Roberts Blue Smoke and Diana Gabaldon

     

     

    I actually can´t recall his name, but his death came so unexpected that I can still remember it clearly. Reena, who is the main character in Blue Smoke, is an arson investigator and while on a job her partner dies because the fire extinguisher explodes in his handes (there was some arsonist/killer at work). One second he goes “we have a dangerous job we risk our life everyday” and than BOOM…Almost fell of my couch.
    Secondly I mourn the death of Ian Murray Senior. Although I totally understand why he had to die (concerning the plot), I spent thousands of pages with him and his offspring Ian Junior. Plus we´re in the 18th century and his death makes me realise that the main characters Jamie and Claire will propably die anytime soon as well. 🙁

  20. Penni says:

    More Harry Potter

     

    I can’t believe I overlooked Tonks & Lupin! Yes, theirs was so sad esp with Teddy growing up orphaned. Although we did get to see Lupin’s ghost walk with Harry to Voldemort in the forest and we do sort of see Teddy in the epilogue, so maybe that was his good-bye. And Colin Creavy – again, can’t believe I overlooked him b/c he was another innocent I hated to see die.

  21. Lyssa says:

    Vorkosigan Saga…Bujold

     

     

     

     

    I am not going to list the ‘big’ death in Cryoburn, because even though it was saddening it was time. Death in its correct time (as it was for the two characters that died in that book) is sad, but also right.

    Instead I too will say Sgt. Bothari and an unknown jump pilot. Bothari’s death was the death of the mentor. His death was suicide, repentance, and rightious murder all wrapped into one. His death slapped down any thought that these books were ‘light-hearted’ reads. I cried with Miles in that book. Bujold always marks death as a turning point, a change in who you are because that person is gone from your life. Mountains of Mourning shows us how the death of one infant can change a community, Warrior’s apprentice shows us how the death of an enemy and a dear friend in war can both show us how our innocence is loss. Cryoburn in a way shows us that death does not have to be ‘wrong’ but can be right in the right time and place, and that even then…we grow, adapt and move into the person we are supposed to be.

  22. Hope says:

    Mark of the vampire Queen

     

    By Joey W Hill.
    It’s slightly OT in that he gets ‘resurrected’ but I cried buckets when he died. He and Lyssa had been through so much and sacrificed so much that in my head I was yelling ‘no! it’s so unfair!!!!’ I could hardly see the page. And it’s a drawn out death. I won’t go into the how but his death will ensure that Lyssa survives a terrible disease which she is dying from at that very moment.  She is the Vampire Queen and the only one who can prevent a full scale war between two factions of vampires and vampires and humans. It is incredibly emotional, never sentimental or mawkish, just deeply devastating for the characters and the reader. I still get tears just thinking about it. Lyssa and the reader thinks he is dead, it is a total surprise when he comes back

    Black Jewels

    by Anne Bishop
    I agree with the other posters. Saetan’s death. It’s at the end of a very long life, hard and tragic, but with some incredibly joyful times. It’s signalled so it’s not a surprise but it’s still emotional and leaves a big hole in the other characters’ lives, which as a reader you really feel.

  23. BethSmash says:

    Changes – Dresden Files – Jim Butcher

    Susan.  I cried when he had to kill Susan, and I understand why it had to be done, I do – her death ended a war after all.  But I felt SO BAD for Harry – SO BAD.  He loved her so much.  And then of course, same series, same book – Harry.  I was completely emotionally drained after they killed Susan, so when I got to Harry I was numb.  I just sat there for like 10 minutes staring at my book and then I gently placed it on the floor, turned off my lamp, and attempted to sleep, but I couldn’t.  I was too busy trying to figure out how it had happened and what would happen next.  Good book.

  24. Miranda says:

    Game of Thrones Book 1 and Series:

     

    While Ned’s death is heartbreaking, what really hit me was Syrio, Arya’s ‘dancing master’. He was so brave and kind and heroic at the end, taking on the guards so his student could escape. “What do we say to Death? Not today!”

  25. Hope says:

    Damn wish there was a way of editing.

    I forgot to say his name’s Jacob Green!! Arrgh.

  26. elph says:

    Harry Potter:

    Definitely with everyone on Sirius Black.

    As long as we’re talking about anime, Fullmetal Alchemist:

    Poor Maes Hughes! He was such a likable guy. No other character in the series could match his niche as the comic relief who was actually a lot smarter than he first appeared.

    And finally, from the Kay Scarpetta series:

    Benton Wesley in Point of Origin. It was a horrible death, too. I actually cried. Could never read the series again, even though I understand that death turned out to have been faked and the author brought the character back several books later. Doesn’t make up for that one awful scene.

  27. Gabi says:

    Calder Series by Janet Daily: Particularly Stands a Calder Man

    Though, reading the comments (65 so far) I agree with anyone who said Harry Potter or Black Dagger Brotherhood or Little Women or Narnia … BUT the first thing that came to my mind was the Calders.

    (I can’t believe

    I’m using a spoiler space

    for this series ahaha!!)

    Benteen Calder (the hero from the previous book) and in the same book, Lilli the “@@#~€ HEROIN!! For God’s sake!! HOW CAN YOU KILL THE HEROIN?? WHY *cries* I read that book when I was a teen and it was the first time I read about a major character being killed, so I was impressed and scarred about that series for my whole life. I tried the next 2 books but, I -angrily- sensed her pattern of killing spree (she killed a (major) character or 2 in every book) and dropped the whole series.

    I cried when a HP character died (specially Dobby and Hedwig) or Wellsie (BDB), Beth (Little Women), The Pevensies (Narnia), and some others character from other books died, but the death that stood out for me for the rest of my life was Benteen and Lilli. :/

  28. Emily says:

    Mostly childhood characters
    Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

    Cedric Diggory
    I know what everyone talks about the end, but this was the begining—the first murder after Harry’s parents. I shocked and extremely greived (and 14) when JK Rowling killed this boy off. 17 with everything to look forward to in life- an only child. Everyone else seems to get revenge except the Diggorys. (his parents) It hurt so much; I wouldn’t pick up the book for three days, and I had been reading it non-stop.

    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

    Hedwig (the snowy owl)
    yes I know she was an old bird. But to die in violence! No pet lives forever. But it will break my heart when my dog dies. He is 13 and one of the sweetest things in the whole world. yes I know people are more important but still …

    Fred Weasley
    For reasons mentioned above. Fred and George seemed like such a set. Its like salt without pepper. George goes on to have family and a son named Fred. I picture them like my uncle and his son- two of kind a real team.

    Rilla of Ingleside

     

    Walter Blythe son of Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe,
    is killed in Courcelette during World War 1. Walter is described as sensitive and dreamy. I read this book many times. I began to feel like he had to die partly because in a war novel (a real one about a real war) someone has but mainly because he would have suffered unbearable fatigue and distress. He could never get over what he experienced at war.
    ( I never really saw a relationship with Una working out. )

    I feel like there should be more.  I’ll think about it.

  29. blackval says:

    The Roselynde Chronicles by Roberta Gellis

    I know this is seriously olde school, but I really dreaded Simon’s death.  He was such a strong, honorable character. You knew it was going to happen though, because Alinor starts the second book out as a widow.  I refused to read the rest of that series for years because I didn’t want him to die.

  30. rebyj says:

    I agree with the poster above that mentioned The Gargoyle. That book has stuck with me for a couple of years now. I read it and listened on audio.

    In Carey’s Kushiel series that I adore so much, the newest series is set a hundred years later and all of the characters in the first 6 books are dead and gone of course which was understandable but in the new books there is a hundred and twenty year old man and he’s killed off. His student Bo’s pain is written so beautifully that I just bawled. That’s when I got mad and thought if she could write HIM that old why not Phadre or Joscellin or Imriel or Sidonie. THEN another character that was killed off comes back as a ghostlike being.  Again, why not one of the first series characters. I want them back lol Great books and the third in the new series Naahmah’s Blessing comes out June 29th. I can’t wait.

  31. I thought of another one: Precious and Fragile Things by Megan Hart.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I clearly understood why Todd had to die, but I nonetheless found his death wrenching and worth some tears.

  32. And one more:

    Various people from The Lymond Chronicles

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I didn’t miss Oonah so much, but I defy anyone to read Pawn in Frankincense without sobbing like a little girl at the death of a certain child.

  33. Nadia says:

    Iris Johansen, The Wind Dancer

     

     

     

    This was her big move from category to single title – first in a trilogy that spans centuries.  We start off in the Renaissance, and the villain introduces the plague into the city where the main and secondary characters live.  They drop like flies.  Johansen is not shy about taking out a significant character, or having Really Bad Things happen, to prove the villain’s villany.  Twenty years later, I’m still scarred by the carnage here.

  34. Jaye says:

    Atonement By Ian McEwan

     

     

     

    Cecilia and Robby! I felt so tricked when I got to the end, I must have reread that sentence where you learn they really died and weren’t living HEA.  I kept thinking there must be some mistake.  I fully admit to stopping the book and the movie at a certain point and ignoring what comes after.  (The scene at Dunkirk also makes me weep).

  35. Carolyn says:

    The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn

     

     

     

     

    Edmund Bridgerton’s death affected each of his eight children in different ways.  The story of his death is runs throughout The Viscount Who Loved Me, the story of his oldest son and heir.  But it resonates throughout the series that features each of his eight children.  Each of them have a distinct personality and place in the family and the loss of their father affected each of them.  I first started reading the series shortly after my own father’s death, and I’ve re-read them every couple of years since.

  36. Kristine says:

    The Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray (Specifically THE SWEET FAR THING)

    I BAWLED when Kartik died. Part of me expected a not-so-happy ending because a wealthy, English white girl and a poor, Indian boy aren’t getting together in the 1890s, but I had hope (maybe they could live in the Realm together forever! Maybe they’re shipwrecked on an island! Gemma can defeat racism with magic!). And it was crushed. To cheer myself up after reading it, I decided to read

    The Hollow Series by Kim Harrison (Specifically FOR A FEW DEMONS MORE)

     

    Again, I was a teary mess when Kisten died. I LOVED him with Rachel (the only boyfriend of hers I’ve liked) and part of me was wondering (and hoping) that he, Rachel, and Ivy would get their shit together and have a nice, healthy relationship together. Alas, Kisten died and shit is still a mess.

  37. Mayweed says:

    Great comments here. 

    The Hearth & Eagle – Anya Seton
    Duncton Wood – William Horwood
    The Stand – Stephen King

     

     

     

     

    I always cry when Johnny dies in the first few chapters of Hearth & Eagle.  He and Hesper are so perfect for each other.  Once he’s gone she spends the rest of her life being strong and surviving and all that, but in the end her one true love dies before they are even married.

    Duncton Wood – I know the book is about moles but Horwood makes them so human, I especially cried for Rebecca.  To be honest, I cried at each and every death.

    The Stand – Larry Underwood and Ralph Brentner die in a nuclear explosion in Las Vegas.  Before they die, they have both found peace and for Larry especially, it is the end of a very long journey.  Cry everytime.

  38. Pam says:

    Dorothy Dunnett
    Crawford of Lymond and Sevigny series

    Lois McMaster Bujold
    Vorkosigan series

    God, once you start thinking of these…
    Jim Butcher’s Changes
    Ariana Franklin’s last book and, hell, Ariana Franklin!
    I’m not saying anything about those last two.  Either you know or you don’t.  I really hate mourning characters; totally explains the attraction of fan fiction to me.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Plenty of people have mentioned the Vorkosigan series, even unto the last entry, Cryoburn, so I won’t go into that.  Suffice it to say that Bujold is not shy about killing beloved characters and making her readers accept it as inevitable and right in the world she’s created.  You mourn them, yet it is completely right and proper to mourn them.  To root around in the distant memory of high school English class, the effect is cathartic.

    Probably people have mentioned the Dunnett books too, but I had only skimmed a bit of the comments before I recalled the effect that those deaths had on me.  Perhaps the most vivid is the death of Una or perhaps Crawford’s discovery of it.  I can close my eyes and visualize that scene.  Totally unique and completely sick making.  The worst, however, was the death of the child….  ‘Nuff said?

  39. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

     

    I cry every time I read this book because the dogs die at the end. The relationship between Billy and his dogs, and the ones the dogs have with each other, is so moving. I know it’s coming and that it’s an integral part of the story, but it still gets me every single time.

    And I agree about Prim’s death in Mockingjay. So sad that Katniss volunteered for the games to save her sister, and her sister still dies in the end.

  40. library addict says:

    Texas! trilogy by Sandra Brown
    Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
    In Death series by JD Robb

     

     

     

    I hated that Chase’s first wife, Tanya, and unborn child were killed in Texas! Lucky and really did not enjoy his book, Texas! Chace where he finds love again with the real estate agent (can’t remember her name, sorry) who was driving the car.  It’s not that I don’t believe people can’t find true love again, but I felt manipulated.

    Agree with what everyone’s said above about the deaths in Harry Potter, particularly Cedric, Fred, and Sirius.  I expected Dumbledore’s and Snape’s deaths.  Snape was one of my favorite characters, but I often think that has more to do with Alan Rickman than JK Rowling as I didn’t start reading the series until after the first film came out.

    Although not recurring characters, I’m always sad when I reread Holiday in Death because of Marianna and Kindred in Death because of Deena.  We never get to “meet” them while they’re alive, but of all their murder victims in the series, they get to me the most.

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