I clearly need to go back and read Venetia again. And Alverstoke was mentioned earlier in the thread, sorry.

Agree with Rotherham and George Wrotham, too. All those ruined neckties ...

Marquis of Alverstoke definitely up there - but I think I'll stick with Lord Damerel. Every good girl loves a rake.

Anyone chosen the Marquis of Alverstoke (Frederica)?

And Patrick Pennington. Such a long time ago, that was, I'd forgotten all about him. First serious teenage crush.

(And Patrick Merrick - still secretly have a crush on him.)

Mr Darcy
Gilbert Blythe
Rhett Butler

I fear my list may make me look like a sociopath...

Anatole from 'Poisonwood Bible'
Hannibal Lector
Harry Potter (in the later books obviously - I may be a sociopath but I'm not that weird)
Remus Lupin
Dannyl from the Black Magician Trilogy

I used to love Ken from 'My Friend Flicka' but I was about 10 at the time!!

Yes to Remus Lupin! He was gorgeous when I read it, very disappointed in the film adaptation. Kind of glad I'm not the only one who fancied him! Going to start reading Twilight later, looking forward to some Edward Cullan action!

Ross Poldark!

Francis Crawford of Lymond and Sam Vimes, possibly both at the same time.

Kip, from The English Patient.

Ooo Georgette Heyer - how about Lord George Wrotham from Fridays Child?

That's him, Dear Dear Ivo, how could I forget.... and Miss Slayerette, that thread still has me lurking about Almacks' Rooms wondering where everyone went

Oh yes Aragorn from Lord of the Rings

Took me a moment to remember the underwear link - was wondering what I'd been posting!

Carrot would just be so - tameable - I think. I bet he'd bring me cups of tea in bed and probably not complain when I fancied a foot massage.

Sam Vimes has never rung my bells, but I blame that on the old-style Josh Kirby covers!

Carrot is lovely, Janeite, but not for me. And thanks for the underwear link!

And Doc of Cannery Row. And Laszlo de Almasy, but only if he looks like Ralph Fiennes!

LOL at Bertie Wooster. Count Vronsky for me.

at SalVolatile's Lawks!

I loved that Georgetter Heyer thread we had a while ago - classic MN!

The Nonesuch didn't do it for me and shall I tell you why? The first time I read it (as a teenager) the man on the front cover was really ugly and I've never been able to feel strongly for the poor old Nonesuch since

But I do love the one who sorted out Serena - indeed it was the Marquis of Rotherham and what about the Marquis of Alverstoke in Frederica! How did I forget him? - the original and the best (Frederica was the first one I read at about 15).

SalVolatile would that be the Marquis of Rotherham (Ivo) in Bath Tangle? Mmm, masterful...good choice!

Inspiration while doing sit-ups in front of the bookcase earlier...Roux, from Chocolat and Lollipop Shoes. Can't believe I didn't think of him before now. Not Johnny Depp though...no no no.

Lawks, Miss Slayerette... have you forgotten....the Nonesuch......?

Actually, though, the one who rocked my socks off was the one who kept fighting with Serena......? Gorgeous, swarthy, high handed type...help, anyone?

Captain Carrot is a thread killer?

Looks like Carrot is mine!

Howl from Howls moving castle, Garion from the Belgariad and Legolas from LOTR were my freaky teenage literary crushes. Now I'd add Edward Cullen, Remus Lupin and Strange from Strange & Norrell to the list.

my god Sam Vimes is being fought over - you can't have him he's mine btw.

Well, I'm glad to see I have no competition for the lovely Tom Jones so I think I will marry him but have Mellors as my gamekeeper for when things get a bit stale.

Sorted.

Oh I lurve Lord Peter Wimsey.

Miles Calverleigh is my favourite Georgette Heyer hero as well. He's a thoroughly modern hero really - goes and makes a fortune all by himself and comes back and buys the family mansion. And is very kind hearted. And funny. sigh

Actually, if we're talking long term commitment to a Georgette Heyer hero, I'd pick Miles from The Black Sheep - less rakish, but I think less wearing over the long term.

If we're talking Pratchett, its got to be Greebo.

Ooooooh, slayerette - I had forgotten! The one in Venetia is Lord Damerel and I think he might have won over Sylvester - definitely her most rakish hero.

<<ransacks bookshelves for Venetia to read before bed>>

I fancied Leslie Durrell, Tristan Farnon and Dick from the Famous Five - I obviously had a thing for younger brothers. Would have made do with Gerald Durrell if Leslie was too busy shooting things.

Also would have liked to bonk Darcy and Henry from TTW.

Lestat, Armand or Marius - from the Anne Rice vampire chronicals

Gilbert Blythe
The Wizard Howell
Sparrowhawk, definitely

There must be more... this thread is reminding me of loads of books from my childhood.

Another vote for Justin the Duke of Avon - I can see there'll be blows before this thread ends . Age 15 I would definitely have chosen Pennington though.

These days maybe Merlin from the Amber books (or maybe even Corwin).

Sharpe - so rough and ready.

Ranger, Morelli... Ranger AND Morelli...together

Many of Georgette Heyer's heroes. The Devil's Cub and the one in Venetia (whose name escapes me) particular favourites, as is Worth.

Patrick Pennington probably my first literary crush; Rupert Campbell-Black another early one.

Sigh.

Body of a 17 year old, mind of an 80 year old.....think I've just killed my own fantasy.

Ah, a thread after my own heart....

Mr Darcy
Mr Knightly
Rhett Butler
George Emerson (A Room with a View)
Edward Cullen
Henry Winter (from The Secret History)

but really, agree with poster earlier on who said there is one who stands out from the rest: Luke Costello from Rachel's Holiday...sigh....

actually, he's probably knocking on for 100

I still would

Edward Cullen is really about 80, is that worse?

Robert Kincaid - Bridges of Madison County but in the book not the film.

Impossible to like Rochester after reading Wide Sargasso Sea.

Feeling slightly creepy about it but, Edward Cullen. He is only 17.

Maxim de Winter, I agree

reading Rebecca at the mo and he is quite firm, is he not?

Ooooh Maxim De Winter

I would say Nathaniel from 'Last of the Mohicans'

In the film (played by Daniel Day Lewis) he is called Nathaniel Poe, but in the book he is called Natty Bumpo.
No one could lust over a Natty Bumpo

Scarily I thought it was only Mr Darcy for me but having read these posts I realise that there are more...
Silk - from The Belgariad
Sirius Black - Harry Potter
The Rector in Rebecca Shaws novels
Oooh I'm off to find a book!

Edward Cullen

Aragorn

Can't believe no one has mentioned the mighty *DICK SHARPE* and his 'mocking scar' and mighty blade (DH made me read them, then saw the Sean Bean adaptations, yum)

Effie Ahem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hands off my Sam if you please!

Although I am having Captain Rory Frost from Trade Winds for when Sam is busy .

I was thinking Maxim De Winter but suspect I only really want him for his house.

and if Pratchett is allowed, I'm having Vimes

Peter Wimsey (despite him being a skinny blond)

Lovely to see fellow Jack Parlabane lusters!

I always fancied a bit of a twosome with Seb and Dommie out of Jilly Copper's Polo, and just to lower the tone further still, most of the leading men in Jackie Collin's books!!

The usual suspects:
Mr Darcy
Mr Rochester basically as long as they are wearing those funny trousers with flap bit (easy access) around the crotch area and a frilly shirt I'd be happy.

Oh and Ian Rankin's Rebus (not the Rebus on the telly but the Rebus in my mind) and very dishy he is too :-)

Aforementioned knee tremblers;

Captain Corelli
Gabriel Oak
Robbie Turner
Mr Darcy

also would have to include in my list

Kip - 'the Sapper' in the English Patient
Vermeer - the Girl with the Pearl Earring
Adam Bede

Thanks, MamaH, I'd forgotten Hannibal Lecter. (I can see a theme developing here, I clearly like my men troubled and a bit violent.)

The Australian soldier in A Town Like Alice - I can't remember his name off the top of my head, but he's very rugged and manly.

Oh and for my Pratchett-shag, I'll have Captain Carrot!

MamaHobgoblin - catherine wouldn't have had a corset; she would have worn stays instead (unboned) or possibly a chemise. Sorry but I couldn't help being picky!!!

underwear

Now if we're doing children's literature, I would like to put my vote in for Sirius Black (but not looking like the guy who plays him in the films).

Rhett Butler. He makes my knees tremble!

Will Ladislaw from Middlemarch - then we got the TV adaptation with Rufus Sewell - wow!

Faramir from LoTR - the book version - don't think he was done justice in the film, but you can't have everything.

Interesting that many of the characters mentioned have appeared in TV adaptations/films over the last few years.

Oh, and if we're venturing into children's lit

Remus Lupin, as played in the cinema-in-my-head by Linus Roache, NOT by whatsisface. Severus Snape too, but not Alan Rickman (who is yumsome but far too old.)

Spiller from The Borrowers, yes! (Have just re-read them.)

Used to get creepy-lusty feelings for Dracula when I read a children's abridged copy, but the Drac in the proper novel isn't a bit sexy, on reflection.

--

Richard III in Shakespeare's play.

Jonathon in Brother of the More Famous Jack.

Stephen Maturin in the O'Brien books, definitely!

Hannibal Lecter in the novel. Ok, ok, and in the films...

(am now scanning bookshelves for prompts, and aware that I departed from 'literature' some time ago.)

Who mentioned Diggory Venn? Nice bit o'rough. Mmm. But you'd be all red, after...

Dirk Gently is quite sexy, but also sounds a bit unattractive, physically.

Lovelace! From Clarissa. He's a wrong 'un though.

My Brilliant Career (d'oh)

Erast Petrovich Fandorin, anyone?

Luthe from Robin McKinley's Damar books (bit of a teenage crush there)

Harry Beecham from My Brillian Career (Ditto)

Ok

Henry Tilney from Northanger Abbey. He's the only Austen hero I'd consider copping orf with. Understanding without being patronising, funny, a bit whacky. And he's lovely to Catherine (ok, she's 17 and he's about 25 and wants to get into her corset, but we'll draw a veil over that, shall we?).

Mr Rochester but it HAS to be pre-maim! He's all emasculated afterwards, and I like a bit of hurt/comfort, but that one doesn't tickle my fancy.

Yes to Larry from My Family and Other Animals. But I'm not keen on his little 'tache.

If we count Pratchett as 'literary', I'm nabbing Havelock, Lord Vetinari all for myself. <pant> He is utterly fantastic in all ways, and I bet he's great in the sack.

Silk (from the David Eddings Belgariad books)
thank god someone else got there before me with the scifi fantasy link

Silk
Raistlin and Dalamar (had a thing for Tanis originally but far far too moody and bloody pathetic really)
Sparhawk

others that people have mentioned that would rock my boat
Gilbert blythe
Used to be faramir but post film its definitly Boromir (blame sean bean) so I'd also shag Sharpe
the professor Jo marries
Mr Knightley

oh yes to spiller and severus snape (and yes its the alan rickman thing)

Somewhat shamefully Viscount de Valmont from Dangerous Liaisons, although could just be a thing for John Malkovich. And any of the Jilly Cooper heros (they are all basically the same person anyway) - but top marks to Rupert and Ricky.

Mr Rochester

I had forgotten about Gilbert Blythe! <sighs wistfuully>
Stephen in The Mill on the Floss.

But can I start on historical figures? I would so, SO go for Henry VIII in his younger days. And Harold Godwinson! MmmmmMMMMMMmmmm!
(I'm a medieval historian by trade...)

Jack Parlablane and Jackson Brodie so apparently only slighty scruffy scottish detectives for me

Probably wouldn't throw Colin Firth or Matthew MacFaddyn out of bed but Mr Darcy wayyy to far up his own bottom

Procrastinatingparent - love the way you listed them under genre.

For me, it would be Mr Rochester <swoons> but I've always been a bit annoyed that Jane can resist him when it matters and yet I don't think I'd be able to. Obviously she's a woman of principle and I'm a tart.

Probably wouldn't say no to Mr D'Arcy, so long as he looked like Colin Firth.

Would consider Aragorn, but have to confess that this one is entirely film-based. I also have a soft spot for Severus Snape, but that is Alan Rickman's fault. I don't normally go for Death Eaters!

Wasting - me too, TBH Lestat or Marius or Armand - not fussed which

Hmmm, well based on my nickname it has to be Rourke from the JD Robb 'in death' series. Irish, brooding, long hair, sexy, good dresser, simmering violence, (only to criminals) multi-millionaire (whats not to like)

Lyra, I was 16 at the time, and Lestat is so confident and rebellious, plus a little repressed homoeroticism often appeals.

oh god. i have a huge list...

Mr Rochester

Mr Darcy

Rupert Campbell-Black

Jean-Benoit Aubery

Sirius Black

Hercule Poirot

Mellors

Aramis

I agree with Atticus Finch - something v. sexy about a man who is principled.

Otherwise it would probably be Mr Darcy but only if he looks like Colin Firth.

ooooooooooooh Sirius! Yes me too! He was very sexy

Holden Caulfield

Achilles

Ranger

Janeite I agree, Strider yes up against a tree yes yes yes!

Gabriel Oak for me too.

Captain Corelli appealed to me too but I've only read that one once. (And I agree, not Nicholas Cage!)

As a child, Spiller from the Borrowers and Aramis (the Muskehound version!)

Any Jane Austen hero really, but probably Captain Wentworth does it most for me.

Sometimes I think I am "growing out" of the cad/bounder thing, but then when one comes along <swoon>!

I clearly need to broaden my reading as there seem to be plenty of hot characters out there that I haven't met yet!

I second Atticus Finch - perfect father, man of principle, and a great shot too. Also Fabrice from The Pursuit of Love and Laurie from Little Women (why did she marry that damn professor? Why? Why?)

Ginnifer, I love Sirius so much I named Boydog after him. I didn't reveal this earlier because I wasn't sure how acceptable it was to have crushes on characters from children's books. Thought it was a bit like fancying people from Cbeebies (but that's a whole other thread...)

Mr Darcy, Colonel Brandon, Captain Wentworth
John Thornton
John Proctor

I'm a bit predictable?

Sirius from HP

... and Sharpe

Hmm - very embarrassingly after all these literary giants I have to lower the tone and say the only man ever to make my reading hand quiver is Luke Costello from Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes. A real man who fills a pair of leather trousers very well and is amazing in bed. I wish he were mine <sigh>

Also agree with Jackson Brodie - would be slightly rumpled and dirty but very good fun

Why Atticus Finch? I can't see that at all.

Yes, to Bill Barrie from Sue Barton, but I had forgotten until I read it here ...

Rebus? Really? Why?

Atticus Finch

Ooh, Gabriel Oake, had forgotten him.

Carlo from Captain Corelli.

Colonel Brandon from S&S.(And also Willoughby. I loves a cad, I do.)

Laundryfairy, I share my men with no-one.

wastingmyeducation, Lestat?! Really? What's attractive about him?

Can't stop thinking about this now

Diggory Venn
Gabriel Oak
Squire Boldwood

Hugh Berringer (Cadfael)

Silk (from the David Eddings Belgariad books)

Saltire - that picture is delicious. I loved John Thornton BEFORE the BBC adaptation, Mr Armitage only fanned the flames.

And I am a Heathcliffe girl, I am afraid. It started in my early teens, but I have re-read many times and I can't get past it. Yes, he comes across as something of a bully sometimes, and admittedly is a little unstable (), but he really, really does it for me. All that passion, the dark brooding...I would love someone to adore me enough to bang his head against a tree and dig me up. (Ok, maybe that is a step too far...) Plus, there is vulnerability there. It is heartbreaking the way he calls out to Catherine when Lockwood says he has heard something at the window. Give the man his dues, his love is, um, enduring. (And I bet he'd be brutal in bed. None of that namby pamby romance nonsense!)

Also, I know he was real and not really a literary character, but I have a huge thing for Robert Dudley in Philippa Gregory's novels. If he was good enough for Elizabeth I, then he's good enough for me.

There must be more, I'll probably be back.

thinkI was about 10 with lawrence durrell too

Oooh Steve Carella, had forgotten all about him. Yum.

When I was young I think I had a teeny crush on Hercule Poirot.

Sam Spade

Julian Audley, Lord Worth (GH)
Also Damerel, a bit (Venetia)
Jack Aubrey (Master & Commander & the rest of the series). Though he's quite a good mate too. I often think of him when the wind's in the right quarter for sailing out of port.

87th Precinct.

And yes to Dick Diver - how could I have forgotten him?

Jay Gatsby
Dick Diver (at the beginning of Tender is The Night)
Patrick Pennington (KM Peyton)
Peter Marlow (Antonia Forest)
Rhett Butler

Would rather look at MM with stomach cramp than bleedin' puddin' face Firth!!!

Ooh - Steve Carella. From the Ed McBain 89th Precinct books. Possibly not "literature", but still.

Yes to Jay Gatsby.
Yes to Mr Knightley.
Yes to Sherlock Holmes.

There must be more - will think.

Jackson Brodie - Kate Atkinson's detective.
Mikael Blomkvist from the Stieg Larsson books.

Gilbert Blythe from the later Anne books was a big crush of mine for a long time. Oh, and for a while, him out of American Psycho - the danger element !!

janeite - no offence , but you are so wrong! Matthew M looked like he had a terrible stomach-ache all the way through that film. (And it was Jane Austen as filmed by a Bronte sister - romantic but wrong).

I'm happy to share him with you LyraSilvertonge as you have such a splendid name . Which reminds me that I kind of fancy Lee Scorseby...

Glutten for punishment...Heathcliffe.

The boyfreind in 'The Go between'

The weird boyfriend in 'Killing me Softly'.

I have said it before and I say it again now: Matthew M so much sexier than Colin Firth.

John Proctor <swoon>

Lestat

I fancied Lawrence in My Family and Other Animals, when I was 10.

Fancied Mr. Rochester, but only as portrayed by Toby Stephens.

Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy was a defining moment of my adolescence. (But I've still not read the book )

rupert campbell black

hm...now I had to endure Wuthering Heights....and surely that heathcliff character is just wrong....on many levels.....why would people "fancy" that...

however, little disclaimer, I kinda possibly didn't get the movie, it was so wrong in my eyes...is the book different...

Heathcliffe. You can't beat a bit of rough plus I always wanted a man who would tell me that his love for me was as eternal as the rocks beneath........

thanks artifarti

<enjoys virtual moment with lovely Laurie and Laurence>

Does this mean I can also have Gavin Maxwell? I want to live at Camusfearna with him <swoon>

Thank you, ShrinkingViolet - I will enjoy!

(Actually, it could have been any of GH's dark masterful heroes, but Sylvester sticks in the mind somehow. )

Dorothea Brooke from Middlemarch. So worthy, and pent up.

She lets the dry old Casaubon have a go at her for years.

Bet she would go like a train.

It has to be Jack Reacher every time [swoon]

janeite - it was Wizard and Glass that cemented my lust for him

Mr Rochester of course. also post-maiming (he still had one hand left )

also Detective Singh from Sacred Games (if anyone has read it), a sweaty, hairy, slightly past his prime Sikh anti-hero

that professor guy that Jo got it together with, in little women....

Elliot from The Greengage Summer. I still love him a little bit for the ladder thing with Jess.

I definitely claimed Roland first.

Laundryfairy, I forgot about Robbie Turner. Yes, I'll have him too.

procrastinatingparent the lovely Richard Armitage (who sadly isn't a fictional character ) is narrating a new audio book version of Sylvester, chapter one available here. (have been ignored on the GH appreciation thread so am crossposting )

Not sure I'd have Jamie Fraser (might have flashbacks to real Scots from my past who were nowhere near as shaggable as JF ).

Sebastian from the Wells series though, and almost all of the Georgette Heyer heroes, but not Adam from a Civil Contract, he's a bit boring and normal.

Jack Parlabane & Zal Innez (from Christopher Brookmyre novels)
Book & Film Edward Cullen
Jacob Black (New Moon version)
Roland from Dark Tower

at Satan!!!

Holden Caulfield. Have managed to resist the temptation to name my DS after him though...

Holden Caulfield (when I was in early teens)
Captain Corelli (until Nicolas Cage got the role)

Satan in Paradise Lost - used to teach it to a group of very sweet posh girls, and we were all mad for him

Also Mr Rochester (swoon!), Father Ralph de Bricassart (Thorn Birds!) and the husband in The Time Traveller's Wife - I loved him!

yes to John Proctor
also Brian from Tales of the City. Had him in my sights from book 1!

RCB definately but would have to be pre-Taggie - he would never cheat on her.

yes to Laurence Durrell, I also used to have a thing about the younger Farnon brother from the James Herriot books

Justin the Duke of Avon from Georgette Heyer's These Old Shades, Devil's Cub and An Infamous Army.

I'm versatile across genres, me.

Detective: Lord Peter Wimsey (I can recite Gaudy Night and Busman's Honeymoon.)
Bonkbuster: Rupert Campbell Black, naturellement
Trashy thrillers with too many guns: Jack Reacher
Childhood classics: not Gilbert Blythe - he has no discernible personality, but Dean Priest in the Emily books. And Bill Barry from the Sue Barton novels.
Period romance: Sylvester (Georgette Heyer)
Literary: Mr Knightley, rather than Mr Darcy

<<thinks she might possibly have given this too much thought >>

Robbie Turner from Ian McEwan's Attonment (played by James McAvoy in the film). Wonderfully filthy letter he inadverdantly sent to Cecilia got me all hot a bothered...

Poppity - you can, coz it's my thread and Cider with Rosie is one of my absolute favourites.

Another non fiction one, Laurence Durrell in Gerald Durrell's books about his family. Guess I only like the real ones

Wouldn't say no to Mr Darcy though...I have to say, Colin Firth was pretty much how I had pictured him.

He's not fictional, but he is a character in his own books, so can I have the lovely

Laurie Lee

Pleeeeeeease?

Book and movie Edward Cullen but Ranger over Morelli!

I second Dalek. I'm not one for lusting after unknown men, fictional or real, just not in my temperament, but Jamie Fraser in the Diana Gabaldon books is something else.
I'm glad they've never made it into a film so that nothing has tampered with my idea of him. Can't honestly say that it is literature though.

Thanks all for providing an excellent list of holiday reads.

I'm with dalek- Jamie Fraser from the Cross Stitch series. All manly and hard thighed and noble.....sigh!!

just remembered my huge teenage crush on the english officer in Ryan's Daughter-I do like a man with a limp.

Mr Rochester-ooh.I LOVE Toby Stephens in that role,I love Mr Rochester even more than Mr Darcy,Mr.Rochester has more of a sense of humour (comes over all faint and has to go and lie down)

madwomanintheattic you may be the only woman on this thread Mr Rochester has actually "bedded" ...

madwomanintheattic - Sean Bean, yes, dribble (but then I saw him playing the 70's-dress-sense, swan-obsessed, paedo-murderer in the Red Riding trilogy and it all felt a bit lot wrong)

Another vote for Joe Morelli here! And Ranger too. Sigh.

But on a more literary note perhaps, Henry Tilney from Northanger Abbey, bless him.

rhett butler

and a sneaking belated attraction for any literary type eventually played by sean bean lol. hindsight is a wonderful thing.

yossarian? really? bit odd for me... fave book of all time, but... nah.

anyone who went for mr rochester wants their head read lol.

Lord Peter Wimsey

Colonel Brandon
older RCB (Taggie onwards)
Gilbert Blythe
Jeeves
Strider or Faramir from LOTR

Edward Cullen here too, both of them, movie and book pref at same time .

Aragorn - LOTR

Jack Reacher

Mr Darcy - same old, same old....

Alex Randall from MM Kaye's Shadow of the Moon

Mr Darcy

lol at Jondalar - too "available" for me though, he's been round the block too many times.

and I'm not about it.

Oh and Dann from Mara and Dann (Doris Lessing). He's a bit of a nut but sexy with it.

Yes it was Ash in the Far Pavilions, and I liked him in the TV production too, played by Ben Cross.

Edward Cullen from Twilight (book Edward, not film Edward)

Ash was from the Far Pavilions?

All the heroes from M M Kaye's novels, The Far Pavilions, Shadow of the Moon and Trade Wind. Legolas the elf from Lord of the Rings (but that may have been strongly influenced by the films). And Edward Cullen

Well in my yoof:

Patrick Merrick from the Antonia Forest books
Will and Dick from Flambards
Guy thing from Wells books
Did have thing for Heathcliff, Rochester but would have to reread now I think to check on that
Ewen Cameron from the DK Broster books (please, anyone else???)
Not literary but the guy from the Flashing Blade tv series and Zorro from the b&w tv series

I am not sure I fall in love with heroes any more! Not fair. I want my fantasies back!

Zooey Glass

Jay Gatsby

Sal Paradise

Ricky Franche Lynch (LOW BROW CHRUSH!)

Mr Darcy undoubtedly, the arrogance makes him all the better.

Edward Cullen (and I promise you I am not some teenage troll )

Sublime to the ridiculous in one simple post.

OMG - John Proctor. YES!

John Thornton - all that northern passion...
And I'd agree with Edward Cullen too

Ooh Atticus Finch, yy. Though he might be a bit solemn. I bet he'd cry afterwards.

Agree Henry from TTW and North & South hero

Charles Ryder from Brideshead Revisited (Sebastian was a bit too the other way inclined for me) and Winston Smith from 1984.
I read both at an impressionable age (A levels) and still remember that it was hard to write a coherent essay because all I really wanted to say was "God, I'd love to bonk them"

Jondalar (Valley of The Horses) as a teenager

Rhett Butler naturally.

Lysander over Rupert Campbell-Black everytime though.

And most of all John Proctor, The Crucible, despite the infidelity with Abigail he was a man of principal and I love him.

Captian Wentworth for me.

Jack Parlabane

Sherlock holmes
Lord Peter Whimsey
Sam Vimes
(and no its not the sleuth thing - its the fact that literay sleuths are usually written with more focus on the brains than brooding abusive good looks)
Darcy, Heathcliff and Rochester all a bit too bloody obviuos and teenagey for me. Also lets face it none of them have a sense of humour, decent manners or half a brain.

An embarrasing series of characters no-one else on here will know from variuos fantasy and SciFi books.
Had the classic early teens crush on Strider (not once he becomes king) More recently Fael Inis from Rebel Angel is an all time fav + Snake from seaward.

Oh yy agree with the Marquis De Carabas.

<off to google Rupert Campbell-Black and loads of others - I'm an oik me >

Henry from The Time Travellers Wife. Although I couldn't be bothered with all that disappearing and reappearing nonsense.

Gabriel Oak
Mr Rochester

John Thornton - North and South by Elizabeth gaskell.but only in this form

Sharpe - but possibly too much watching Sean bean

Mr Darcy
Rupert Campbell-Black
Alex Cross (from the James Patterson books)

Sure there will be more....

I think that's why I like him (Mr Darcy). I rather like arrogant men.

Mr Darcy is too up his own arse for my liking. I had forgotten about Rhett Butler though. He's hot.

Atticus Finch
Captain Corelli

and to whoever said Strider - yum, me too!

Joe Morelli

Bertie Wooster, he knows how to make a good cocktail.

The Marquis de Carabas.

Also Hob Gadling. Because I bet he's picked up a trick or two along the way.

yy to Patrick Pennington! <swoon>.

Lord Peter Wimsey.

Lord Vidal from Devil's Cub.

Well if it's just for 'copping off' rather than anything else it has to be Jondalar from the 'Clan of the Cave Bear' series, since the author does spend about half her chapters telling us how good he is in bed, and how he can make women come when it's their first time, etc, etc.

O yes, Gilbert Blythe! He could ull my plaits anyday
And just for variety, I reckon Gatsby would be a gentleman. I bet he'd be the sort to keep apologising though

EDWARD CULLEN IS THE ONLY VAMPIRE FOR ME

I think Mr Darcy is a bit snooty. Always thought Elizabeth was too good for him.

Rupert Campbell-Black all the way for me. And I seem to have a thing for old, drunk detectives as I'm very fond of Rebus and Dave Robicheaux.

And whoever said Jeffrey Tolliver - have you read the most recent one in the series? Oh. My. God.

Jack Reacher all the way, oh yes.

Oh yes, Gilbert Blythe!

Another vote for Mr Darcy

(really embarrassing and does't really count as literary at all, but Michael from The Princess Diaries )

fleacircus - my immediate thought too

Mr Darcy or Mr Rochester. Heathcliffe is too much of a nutter for me.

Gilbert Blythe in my younger days.

no brainer - Mr Darcy of course!

Mr Darcy's a bit of a ponce.

And Heathcliff's still in lurve with that Kathy so no thanks.

Hmmm, how about Levin in Anna Karenina? As opposed to Vronsky, who probably suffers from performance anxiety. A bit pious perhaps, but awfully deep and thoughtful. He'd be kinda interesting.

Yep, Rhett Butler and Rupert Campbell-Black.

I am deeply in love with Thomas Cromwell at the moment having just read Hilary Mantel's utterly wonderful 'Wolf Hall'. She paints a wonderful picture of him. I have missed him since I finished the book last week!

Sherlock Holmes.

Emma - I was reading the thread and was astonsished that nobody had put Rupert Campbell-Black. So was pleased when I saw your post and reassured me that all was well in mumsnet land.

Naah to Heathcliff.

Yes to Mr Darcy.

Anton from The Night Watch.

Captain Wentworth from Persuasion.

Rupert Campbell-Black

Hmmm, Rhett Butler...yes.

Colonel Brandon (a la David Morrissey)...mmm-mmm.

Not Heathcliff. All that sulking would really start to grate after a while.

Always thought Heathcliff was an abusive git myself, never see the attraction.

OK, predictable I know, but D'Arcy from P&P. Not sure if it isn't the Colin Firth effect. Except the Matthew McFadden did it for as well despite the fact that i don't usually like him.

Edward Cullen [lowbrow emoticon]
Heathcliff

rofl at how many of us fancy cads and bounders

Mr Rochester.......... a la Toby Stephens!!!

Not Heathcliff - bullying monster IMHO.

Has to be Rhett Butler, yes a bit of a cad but v sexy in the book.

I love threads like this!

Mine are (in no particular order) -
Colonel Brandon from 'Sense And Sensibility'

Strider from LOTR (I'll have him rough and ranger-ish, rather than all regal please)

Roland of Gilead from King's Dark Tower books.

I fancy Sam Vimes (Discworld) something rotten too.

another one for mr Rochester. before he was tragically maimed. He was a sexy bit of stuff.

Jeffrey Tolliver from the Karin Slaughter series. Sod that Sarah Tolliver.

Nicholas Nickleby, such a passionate young man. Only once though, just for the experience.

bigchris - Mellors! Oooh, good call! Now, Sean Bean was fine for me in that adaptation...

'I want you now, Milady. Up against t'tree' etc. etc.

also Knightley in Emma <swoon>

lady chatterley's lover of course!

Rebus.

Heathcliffe.

Heathcliffe... on a windswept moor.

Jack Reacher
Myron Bolitar
Any Nelson De Mille 'hero'

Yossarian.

ohdearwhatamess - how was Colin Firth for you? Bees(t)ly quite ruined the whole romance for me.

patrick pennington

Jamie Fraser in Crosstitch series

Mr Darcy

Mr Rochester

I developed a huge crush on Tom Jones (eponymous hero of Henry Fielding novel) whilst at university. I thought he was a bit racy and go-getting, whilst at heart a thoroughly decent chap (ah, my Professor would be proud of that literary summary...)

Shortly after, I heard they were to make a film of it and, Reader, my heart raced.

After months of fevered speculation I found out that the lead role had gone to Max Beesly . Nooooo, wrong, wrong, wrong!

So, which literary figure has most set your heart/loins a-flutter?