Despite not enjoying certain books as a whole, there are still characters that manage to capture our hearts and leave a lasting impression. Here are the top ten characters that I liked from books that I didn’t particularly enjoy:

1. Holden Caulfield from “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger – While I found the novel as a whole to be rather bleak and repetitive, Holden Caulfield’s voice and perspective on life resonated with me. His cynicism, vulnerability, and search for authenticity made him a memorable character.

2. Jay Gatsby from “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Despite the superficiality and excess surrounding Gatsby’s world in the novel, his unwavering love for Daisy Buchanan and his tragic fate left a lasting impact.

3. Finny from “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles – While I struggled with the overall tone of the novel, Finny’s charismatic personality and free-spirited nature made him a standout character. His friendship with the protagonist, Gene, was both complex and heartwarming.

4. Captain Ahab from “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville – Despite finding the novel to be overly verbose and dense, Captain Ahab’s obsession with hunting the white whale was a compelling character study. His inner turmoil and descent into madness were both tragic and captivating.

5. Lisbeth Salander from “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson – While the pacing of the novel felt slow and the plot overly convoluted, Lisbeth Salander’s fierce independence, intelligence, and courage were refreshing to see in a female character.

6. Boo Radley from “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee – While the novel itself is considered a classic, I found the plot somewhat predictable. However, Boo Radley’s mysterious and misunderstood character added depth and intrigue to the story.

7. Effie Trinket from “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins – While the dystopian world of Panem didn’t resonate with me, Effie Trinket’s quirky personality, colorful fashion sense, and unexpected moments of humanity made her a standout character.

8. Patrick Bateman from “American Psycho” by Bret Easton Ellis – While the novel’s graphic violence and disturbing content left me unsettled, Patrick Bateman’s dark and twisted psyche was undeniably fascinating. His obsessions with materialism, superficiality, and violence made him a complex and unforgettable character.

9. Melanie from “The Girl With All the Gifts” by M.R. Carey – While I found the plot to be somewhat predictable, Melanie’s innocence, intelligence, and resilience as a young girl with a special gift in a post-apocalyptic world was both touching and haunting.

10. Severus Snape from the “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling – While I enjoyed the series as a whole, there were certain aspects of the books that I found lacking. However, Severus Snape’s complex and morally ambiguous character, with his loyalty, sacrifice, and hidden depths, remains one of the most compelling in the series.

In conclusion, while not every book may be to our liking, there are still characters that manage to leave a lasting impact and resonate with us. These ten characters, despite their stories being in books I didn’t particularly enjoy, have managed to stay with me long after I closed the covers.