Fictional Character Friday--The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

In my Creative Writing class last week, we discussed out favorite authors, and the difference between literary fiction and genre fiction. "Literary fiction is more profound and meaningful," ended up being the conclusion the class came to. I beg to differ. Last night, I finished the last and final novel in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. I began reading this series in 2005, when I was fifteen, the same age as the girls. Seven years I've spent with these girls, and at one time or another, the books expressed emotions I was feeling and I identified with one of the girls. To me, they were four of the most amazing, strong girls ever, and I continue to love them today, and they are a part of what made me who I am today.

Carmen Lowell- Carmen's parents were divorced when she was very young (like mine) and throughout the series she works hard to develop a relationship with her father and her new family when he gets remarried. She is overbearing, overdramatic, passionate, and obsessive (like me). Oh, and let's not forget that she's hispanic (like me). Of all the girls, she, in my opinion, is the most independent. She never takes crap from anyone, and she won't sacrifice her own happiness for what anyone else wants.

Bridget Vreeland- Bridget is easily the person the least like me. Her mother commits suicide before the novels even start, and she spends the rest of the series coping with the life she's been handed. She's restless, outgoing, adventurous, and fearless. Early on, she meets Eric, who is essential to the rest of the series. Of all the characters, I think she is the most profound. She is always changing, and it is hard to really know what she'll do at any point in time.

Lena Kaligaris- Lena and I are very similar. She is quiet, shy, and a little uncertain of herself. She is a beautiful person, but she has almost no confidence in herself, which often gets in the way of her and her happiness. She spends a large part of the series in Greece, with her grandmother, and it is there she meets Kostos. For the record, Kostos and Lena are probably my favorite couple from any book. I waited 7 years to see how their story ended, and I was not disappointed.

Tibby Rollins- Tibby is such a unique characters. If any of the girls are the most confusing, it is is Tibby. She has so much heart and wants to take care of her sisters, but at the same time, she is stubborn and sarcastic (Much like me). Throughout the series, she creates many fantastic relationships, the two most important being with Bailey, a young girl with cancer, and Brian, her boyfriend for the rest of the series.

Say what you want about Young Adult, but these four girls helped me through a lot of my high school experiences. I always wished I had a Sisterhood like this one. Sure, I have fantastic girlfriends, and we have fun, heartbreaking moments, but not like this.

The movies they made are not spot on. There are two instead of four, and they change around the stories a little bit, but I sincerely love them anyway.

xoxo,

Vicky B