Once I saw, “tell me about a female character,” I already knew I was going to hop on this. I’ve read a lot of books, especially this year, so it was hard to remember a book whose character left me inspired. Honestly, I scoured through my library, knowing fully well that was a perfect character for this, but I don’t think I found “The One.” So, I decided to regale you with characters that nearly hit the mark.
The first one for me would be Olaide Olajide from “The List.” I read this book and I loved it for the most part. It’s sad that it got as many criticisms and bashings as it did. I genuinely thought it was a delightful book. Ola is a feminist writer who is renowned in the Black Community. Everyone knows and loves her for speaking her truth, calling out misogyny and standing up for women who are abused.
But she’s about to face the turmoil of her life when her fiancé ends up on a list created by an anonymous person of men who has abused women in the past and perhaps still do. Ola knows she has to cut off all ties with her fiancé. It’s what the world expects her to do. And it’s the right thing to do. Or so, she thinks.
I identified with the character of Ola for a particular reason. She wasn’t the most likeable female lead and you could even call her weak, but she was firm in her beliefs to stand up where it mattered. She faced a difficult situation. Some thing that I’ve faced time and again, where what you want clashes with what is expected of you. And so, you choose peace. I identify with her because more often that not, in making my decisions, I always choose PEACE.
And now, we move onto the next winning character. I’ve talked about this book more than twice, I’m sure. But I bring it back because it just fits.
I identify with Kit Hathaway in Peg Kehret’s “Cages.” I identified with her from the first chapter where she wanted a role in a play so hard, worked tirelessly for it and then the role was given to not just anyone but to the bane of Kit’s existence while she got nothing.
I didn’t identify with when this teenager shoplifted or her mother who was spineless and let her stepfather walk all over her. What I did identify with was the character development. Kit grew tremendously. Watching her strip off that cloak of selfishness. Watching her strive to become despite the odds. Watching her learn and grow, through pain, grief and love was beyond beautiful for me.
If there’s ever a person who turned lemons into lemonade, and learnt the art of gratitude in the most beautiful way, it would be Kit. And I loved that I experienced it with her. I read this book as a gift for coming first place in my first year of secondary school. That’s more than a decade ago. But it’s beauty has remained with me like a friend, and I’m glad to share it once again with you.
The question posed by the Ladies of Hive Community couldn’t have come at a better time.
Tell me about a female character in a movie, or a book, that you identify with, or that inspired you. What message did it leave you with?
There’s a lot of things going on in my life at the moment. Lots of decisions to take, and a firm character to build that will shape my life. I’m at a point where I need to get it right for my future go be alright. It’s a lot of pressure but talking about these characters have left me feeling peaceful. I just need to lock in and wait for the beauty to happen. Like Ola with tough decisions and Kit with messages of growth, I will be alright.
Images are mine.
