Meny

Literary figures

Sample of literary figures

  • Mervyn Bunter

    Male

    Second only to Wodehouse’s incomparable Jeeves, Bunter is regarded as the most famous butler of a classic English type. He is Lord Peter Wimsey’s patient and always correct butler in the classic detective stories by Dorothy L. Sayers, and he also carries out with honour some scouting missions. He only loses his temper when the housekeeper washes the dusty, carefully stored bottles of port wine.

    Further reading

  • Benny Griessel

    Male

    He is a middle-aged detective with the Cape Town police, is of average height with greying untidy hair, a rugged face and a Slavic appearance. Benny Griessel does, however, have problems. He boozes – which is why his wife and their two children throw him out, and he finds a new partner. He struggles determinedly against his alcoholism, author Deon Meyer tells us, and he embarks upon a relationship with singer Alexa.

    Further reading

  • Gordianus

    Female

    He is called Gordianus the Finder, and is a private investigator in ancient Rome in the days of Julius Caesar. ‘Lawyers’ and orators like Cicero are some of the people who use his services in historical crime novels by Steven Saylor. Gordianus’ wife is the Egyptian Bethesda, previously his concubine whom he had bought as a slave. He lives in Rome until he inherits a farm in Etruria, but later moves back to the city.

    Further reading

  • Father Brown

    Male

    The Catholic priest Father Brown (he has no first name) is active in England. He has a round, non-descript face and an umbrella which he is always losing; in addition, he usually carries a paper-wrapped package which he finds difficult to keep in order. But he is also one of the best amateur detectives in fiction, the main character in five classic collections of short stories (but no novel) by G.K. Chesterton.

    Further reading