Hyacinthe: Character Connection

I have this little problem with Character Connection. Most of the characters that I really want to write about are characters who have been my friends for years. I know I love them, but it’s been so long since I read their books that I’ve forgotten a lot of their details. So I keep pushing them off, thinking that I’ll write about them someday after a re-read. One character who is pushing to be written about has me seriously thinking about re-reading a set of 20+ loosely connected books! A little ridiculous, wouldn’t you say?

So, anyway, my character this week is one that I wish I had written about after I read the trilogy a few years ago. But I didn’t. I barely even mentioned him in my reviews! What was I thinking!?!

Anyway, let me introduce you to Hyacinthe from the Kushiel’s Legacy trilogy, starting with Kushiel’s Dart, by Jacqueline Carey. These books are not for everyone, as they feature a spy whose chief weapon is her proclivity for S&M (not terribly graphic, but still). But the character who provides a spark of light throughout the series is Hyacinthe.

I don’t remember what he’s called in his world, but we would call him a member of the Roma. His people are looked down upon and treated badly, but Hyacinthe is so likable that he doesn’t really let that stand in his way. He prospers almost in spite of himself. In a country modeled after France in a chivalrous age, Hyacinthe is a welcome bit of laughter. This country might be beautiful and elegant, but the characters take themselves and their clothes and their intrigues a little too seriously. Hyacinthe and his sparkling eyes, trickster ways, and daring exploits are just too fun to pass up. Phèdre, the main character, can be a little too…focused. Hyacinthe lightens her right up and helps her to really be a child when they first meet. He’s worldly-wise and he helps Phèdre navigate the practicalities of the world better as they grow up together. But he’s also kind underneath everything and loyal and loving too. It’s no coincidence that Phèdre chooses his name as her safe word, the word she says when things have seriously gotten too rough, even for her. She trusts him, and even his name, to keep her safe, even when he’s not there. His story arc is not an easy one, but everything he does just makes me love him more. There are two male leads in this trilogy (The Allure of Books wrote about the other one earlier this year), and I can’t say who I love more, but if I were looking for someone who would keep me laughing through life, I would choose Hyacinthe.

I picked my sister’s brain for this post (her recall for details in books is better than mine) and she planted the idea that Johnny Depp as seen in Chocolat has a look of Hyacinthe. He’s not exactly what I pictured, but he’s really close. And besides, who am I to pass up a chance to post a picture of Johnny Depp on my blog?

Don’t you just love larger-than-life characters? The ones who jump off the page and grab you? Whether you love them or hate them, you can’t be indifferent to them.

I would love to know about the characters who just won’t leave you! Most of you will probably post about how much you love (or loathe) each character, but this is a great place for the more creative ones among you to let go and have fun! Write yourself into a scene with Anne and Diana. Write a love poem in elvish for Aragorn. Draw a picture of Harry obliterating Voldemort. The possibilities are endless.

Be sure to post the book’s title and author, and be very careful not to give away spoilers while talking about how much you love your characters.

Mr. Linky will be posted here at Introverted Reader every Thursday.

Who did you connect with this week? Link your post on Mr. Linky, then be sure to go check out the other Character Connections!