Damsels in distress they are not. Female characters used to serve as prizes to be won or maidens to be rescued. But even from the 19th century and especially now, there have been strong female leads who can do the job themselves and literally inspire generations of female readers in all kinds of ways.
Here are 10 who left an indelible impression, in alphabetical order:
1. Anne Shirley, ‘Anne of Green Gables’ by L.M. Montgomery (1908)
Often identified as a book for young readers, this book is surprisingly mature but also compelling as it features Anne (never forget, it’s “Ann with an E”), an 11-year-old orphan accidentally sent to live with middle-aged Cuthbert siblings. But Anne…
Keep on reading: 10 best female characters in books