Imagine this: a long, candlelit table in a quiet, cozy room. Five fascinating fictional characters are seated around it, the air buzzing with the promise of deep conversation. Who would I invite to this dream dinner?
Before we get into it, let’s set the rules. First, I won’t include characters from my own books—tempting as it is, that list would grow faster than a starship can hit warp. Second, I’m sticking to literary characters in their bookish forms, not their movie adaptations. It’s the essence of their printed selves that I want to meet.
Here’s my list of literary luminaries and why they’d have a seat at the table:
1. Sherlock Holmes
Could there really be a fictional dinner without the great detective? Holmes’s razor-sharp intellect and incisive observations would keep the conversation electric.
That said, getting him to attend might be a challenge. Social engagements weren’t exactly his forte. Women, he famously considered predictable, and idle chitchat was beneath him. Changing his mind on either point would take more than a dinner—but wouldn’t it be worth the effort?
If I could coax him into staying for a few hours, his brilliance and unique perspective on human nature would make for an unforgettable evening.
2. Merlin
(From The Crystal Cave series by Mary Stewart)
Merlin as a dinner guest has to be the version brought to life by Mary Stewart. Forget the bumbling wizard trope; Stewart’s Merlin is a fully human figure, steeped in history and myth alike.
While his magic would be fascinating to discuss, I’d want to focus on his insights into one of Britain’s most legendary eras. His perspective on the gritty reality behind the myths would be captivating.
3. Lazarus Long and Maureen Johnson Long
(From Time Enough for Love and more by Robert A. Heinlein)
Yes, I’m sneaking in two characters here, but Lazarus and Maureen are inseparable in many ways. As immortals who’ve lived through centuries of human history—and across galaxies—they would have no shortage of stories to tell.
What intrigues me most is how their experiences shaped their philosophies about life, love, and the universe. Lazarus’s old-school chivalry and Maureen’s sharp pragmatism would spark debates about everything from politics to table manners. Lazarus in a kilt? I can already hear the lively arguments over dessert.
4. Alia Atreides
(From Dune Messiah and Children of Dune by Frank Herbert)
Alia might seem like an odd choice, but to me, she’s one of the most compelling characters in the Dune universe. She’s powerful, tragic, and deeply human in a way her brother Paul rarely was.
Her immense abilities, coupled with her vulnerabilities, make her a figure I’d love to talk to. How did she reconcile the weight of controlling an empire with the personal cost of her power? I’d want to ask her about love, loss, and what it’s like to carry the mantle of destiny—and whether she ever found peace with it.
5. Éowyn
(From The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien)
Éowyn’s bravery and resilience make her one of my favorite characters in fantasy literature. Unlike many of the women in Middle-earth, she took her fate into her own hands, stepping into battle instead of waiting on the sidelines.
But my curiosity lies in what came after. What did Éowyn think about her role as a shieldmaiden once the battles were over? How did she adjust to life with Faramir in Ithilien? Did she ever miss the fire of the battlefield? I’d want to meet her when the dust had settled and hear her reflections on a life lived so boldly.
Your Turn: Who’s on Your Guest List?
That’s my dream lineup of literary dinner guests—an eclectic mix of brilliance, magic, power, and grit. Now, it’s your turn. If you could invite any fictional characters to dinner, who would they be? Drop your list in the comments—no rules, no restrictions, just imagination.
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