Tonya Alexandra: My Favourite Outsiders in Fiction (for all ages)

My Favourite Outsiders in Fiction

A character who struggles to fit in always has a great story to tell. Here are some of my favs:

August Pullman: Wonder by RJ Palacio

Who doesn’t adore Auggie? It’s scary enough starting a new school without being badly disfigured. This little guy handles it with aplomb.

Holden Caulfield: Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger

My favourite cynical loner, Holden, always finds a way to self-sabotage. But underlying his questionable behaviour is the deep grief he feels for the loss of his brother, Allie.

Luna Lovegood: The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

‘Loony’ Lovegood is considered dotty by the wizarding community but I totally would have been her BFF if I went to Hogwarts.

Charlie Bucket: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Charlie’s life is bleak. His father screws on toothpaste caps for a living so they can only afford bread, butter and cabbage. His four grandparents have been stuck in the same bed for 20 years, while Charlie and his parents sleep on the floor. The kid deserves a break!

Anne Shirley: Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery

I adore over-imaginative and dramatic Anne. She is an orphan who has seen some bad times but she’s whip smart and crazy romantic for the world.

Hazel Grace: Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The strength in Hazel and her boyfriend, Augustus, who both suffer from cancer is awe inspiring.

Cather Avery: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I can totally relate to Cath who is extremely awkward IRL. She’s happiest alone and writing her Simon Snow (aka Harry Potter) fan fiction.

Heathcliff: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Adopted by the Earnshaws as a servant boy. Heathcliff is the solitary guy we love to love, hate to love, then hate to hate. It’s this complexity which makes him magnificent.

Blue Sargent: The Raven Cycle Series by Maggie Stiefvater

If it’s not tricky enough living in a house full of female psychics and being able to amplify the energy of supernatural beings, Blue also has to deal with the fact that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die.

Olive Banks: The Impossible Story of Olive in Love by Tonya Alexandra

I have to include my Olive who was born invisible and has to pretend she doesn’t exist to the rest of the world. She hides her insecurities with caustic wit and usually acts before she thinks causing mayhem wherever she goes.

About the Author:

Tonya Alexandra is the author of The Implausible Story of Olive Far Far Away, the sequel to her book The Impossible Story of Olive in Love. In this latest adventure, her hero, invisible Olive causes havoc backpacking around the world.