Top Ten Tuesday is a fun meme that was created over at The Broke and the Bookish! This weeks topic is in honour of Father’s Day! I have decided to list the top five best and top five worst dads in literature, in my opinion. Compiling this list made me realize I need to read more books centered around families! Any suggestions you have would be appreciated!
THE BEST
- Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee- He is a single father, who is completely dedicated to his child, and is raising them to be compassionate and thoughtful people!
- Arthur Weasley from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling- How could you make a list like this without including Arthur Weasley! This sweet man in helping to raise six kids, and he does it with a smile of his face.
- Pa from Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder- He is a true family man who enjoys teaching his children important life lessons! Here is just one of the inspiring messages that he passes on to his children:
- Mr. Bennett from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- I have always had a soft spot for Mr. Bennett! He was truly ahead of his time and was in no rush to marry off his children to men they did not love, even though he was suffering financially and it would have been beneficial to do so.
- Michael Lancaster from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green- It is obvious that Hazel’s dad really cares for her. He allows her to go to Amsterdam without him, despite her illness, because he knows how important it is to her. He makes sure that she understands that she is not a burden.
THE WORST
- Harry Woodworm from Matilda by Roald Dahl- He does not pay much attention to Matilda but when he does he never has anything good say! He makes sure she knows that he wishes she was a boy! He also has no respect for books…
- Tywin Lannister from Game of Thrones by George R.R Martin- He “royally” messed up his children! They are constantly trying to please him, even though they will never live up to his expectations.
- Old Nick from Room by Emma Donoghue- I think the reasons why he is a terrible father are obvious if you know anything about this book. He kidnaps a woman and his child is a result of this imprisonment. Jack, Old Nick’s son, is also help captive for five years.
- Jack Torrance from The Shining by Stephen King- I mean he is a raging alcoholic who tried to kill his son..need I say more?
- Lucius Malfoy from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling- First of all he raised his son to be a bully so obviously he is not a great parent. Secondly, he puts way too much pressure on his son.
And that is it! Do you agree with my choices or disagree? I would love to know!
***I do not own any of these images. They were found on pinterest or giphy.***
Yup, absolutely agree! What a list! I also always had a soft spot for Mr. Bennett 😉
He is so sweet!
Great list! Definitely happy to see Tywin Lannister on that list. 😛
He is awful! There were a few other father’s from Game of Thrones I could have listed as well!
Samwell’s dad for one lol. I can’t remember his name. Captain Asshole Tarly. It’s been so long since I’ve read the series that half the time I have to use the show as a reference to characters now.
Couldn’t agree more with both the bad and the good ones, especially with Lucius Malfoy. I think this is the first list I’ve seen him in.
Really? I almost didn’t put him on my list because I figured everyone else would too! But I thought about it and figured he’s so awful how could I not include him!
Bull Meechum from The Great Santini is pretty bad too…
Atticus Finch was top of my list too. Whenever I think positive book dads … you just have to mention him!
great list fun post 🙂
I think he is my #1 dad in literature! He’s so amazing!
Thank you! 😊
Michael Lancaster was a great pick! So was Arthur Weasley. They would have been on my list too, but I tried to pick different books from my Mother’s Day list. 🙂
Thanks Birdie! 😊 I loved your list!
Thanks!
Awww! Yes Atticus ! Perfect way to begin a post: wisdom from one of the best fictional daddys out there 😀
Whoa, Pa! That brings back so many memories!
To the worst list I would add the drunk, abusive daddy from Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch. Yikes, gruesome character there.
Atticus is so amazing!
I have not read The Goldfinch but I really want to. I have heard great things about it!
It’s absolutely amazing! Remains my absolute favorite of Tartt’s books!
Haha, I love Arthur Weasley as well. He’s a fun dad. 😂👍 and also, Draco was a poor boy. His dad did have high expectations for him.
Wouldn’t it be great to be a Weasley? I love that even though Harry’s dad passed away, he had so many wonderful father figures in his life!
And poor Draco, with a dad like that he had no chance at being a good person!
Yeah. Arthur was a great dad. Even though Sirius wouldn’t be generally considered as a great father figure (he had broken a lot of rules), I’d love to have him as a father. 😆✌
Great post! I highlighted the 10 Worst Dads, and Tywin and Lucius both made it in my list, too! Here it is if you want to check it out! https://howlinglibraries.com/2017/06/13/t10t-061217/
There’s a lot more bad father’s in books than good ones! I don’t know if that’s a good thing! I’m checking out yours for sure!
We really do have quite a few in common. Great list!
Thanks Sydney!!
Those are some great picks. I think it’s hard to top Jack Torrence for a bad father figure. I also agree that Mr. Weasley is the best!
That is for sure! Just looking at the gif of Jack Torrence creeps me out!
Atticus Finch and Arthur Weasley were great picks.
Thank you!
Mr. Bennett is my favorite dad from literature. His sarcasm is top notch and I love the relationship he has with Lizzy! Great picks for the worst dads. They are all VERY horrible indeed, LOL
He is my favourite too! I love his relationship with his wife too! He’s hilarious!
Thanks Azia!
So much yes. Mr Bennet and Mr Weasley ❤️
❤❤ They are great!
Great list! Atticus and Arthur were in the top 2 spots of my greatest dads too; I just adore them both! 😊And I also had Lucius Malfoy on my worst dad list and Jack Torrance too!! I’m not sure why I forgot about Pa from Little House though…
Thanks Stephanie! I almost forgot about Pa too! He’s so great!
Yes, he is I loved those books when I was growing up!
Great choices! Arthur Weasley is probably one of my favourite dads in literature. And I’ve never read P&P, but I love Mr Bennett anyway. 🙂
Thanks Donna! They are both sweet, and quirky fathers!
I agree with so many of your choices! 🙂 Fabulous list!
Thank you!
Arthur Weasley is one of my faves, he cracks me up. I love the father figure he also is to Harry. All the other dads you chose are great as well! Atticus <3
Thank you! Arthur is hilarious!
You may have already done this tag, but I tagged you! https://bookfiendsite.wordpress.com/2017/06/14/anything-but-books-tag/
I have not! I’ve been seeing this tag going around and have wanted to do it! Thank you 😊
My pleasure! Looking forward to reading your answers and getting to know you 🙂
Great List! Everyone having To Kill a Mockingbird on their good dad’s list is making me need to read it, somehow I never had to read it during school.
Thank you!
I hope you enjoy it if you do read it! It’s one of my favourites!
I loved your list! The best dads were great choices… especially Hazel’s dad! And Lucius Malfoy… he’s the bad dad I always remember too… probably because of the movies, lol! ❤️🌈🌟
Thanks Dani! Yeah I was thinking more about the movies when I picked Lucius!
Solid picks all around!
Thank you! 😊