Favorite Character from the book IT?

[Dxc]

Just a question that's been churning my mind; whats everybody's favorite character from Stephen King's novel, IT?

My favorite character in the book is Richie Tozier, easily. I think he is most like me, in a sense, always the funny one. Also, Richie is one of the least identifiable characters in the book, as though he joked around and is sarcastic, he is very complex on the inside. He seems to be mostly afraid of eyeballs and things relating to them; an example is the dream he had in which he was shoving in pin into his iris. He also has a strong disliking for his glasses, which can be traced to the ridicule he but up with as a child because of them (and the time in which he was pushed and his glasses broke, which his mother yelled at him about and then went into the other room and watched TV).

When I read the book I often picture him as one of those anime characters that always have a glint coming off their glasses. As far as his appearence, I think the movie was very far off; I picture him with shaggier hair, and not as ugly. But then again the movie didn't really get anything right from the book, really.

Who was your favorite character from the book? Bill? Richie? Bev? Eddie? etc.

- Sorry if this has already been posted. I checked and there isn't one from specifically IT, so I thought I'd make one for kicks

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

I'm afraid my favourite character is Pennywise, and I thought he was superbly played in the adaptation by the excellent actor Tim Curry, and the adaptation is IMO only worth watching for Tim's performance.

BTW Any Curry fans should go out of their way to see the excellent made-for-TV adaptation of Sir Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic, where he stars alongside Sir David Jason and wossname who played Samwise in LOTR.

But from the book, Bill.

Long days and pleasant nights

[mstay]

Welcome to the SKMB! My favorite character from It is definitely Ben Hanscomb. He was my kind of guy. The one who could always figure out a solution. I liked John Ritter playing him in the movie. But the book is ALWAYS better.:biggrin2:

[crazycrashink]

Richie T. is a great character, but my favorite would have to be Ben Hanscom. I just found him to be very endearing. My random pick for favorite character would be Mike Hanlon's father. While he only plays a small part, I thought his character was great! Especially, the story he tells Mike about the club fire

[LittleRedKing]

[FONT="Arial"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Green"]Richie T. is a great character, but my favorite would have to be Ben Hanscom. I just found him to be very endearing.

I agree. Ben always reminded me of a Samwise Gamgee type of character.

[Scoutabout]

Mine would have to be Pennywise.
But, I also absolutely love the character of Henry Bowers.

[elysian]

Definitely Ben. I was around the age of the Losers Club when I first read it, and totally wished I could find a boy like him. <3
Also, he reminds me the most of myself, as least in the childhood portion (although I was a skinny girl; go figure).

[karend3]

I can relate more with Ben Hascomb, I was always dealing with my weight, but like Beverly Marsh we were poor due to my moms alcholism and she was physically and verbally abusive. They over came a lot.

[Prince of Darkness]

Hi,

Ben Hanscom.

He was just so much like myself I couldn't believe it. The overweight part, the father missing part, the whole being unconfident. Just loved him so much.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Jax]

I gotta agree with John. My fave is Pennywise as well.

[aussiewonder]

Hard question, loved the characters and the book, was sorry when I finished it. I have a whole new respect for balloons!:biggrin2:

[daffyrocks]

All of the characters in this book are so dearly engraved into my heart (even the bad ones - except maybe Patrick Hockstetter - man, if there's ever a freak of nature in the world of SK, he tops the list!) that it's hard to pick a favourite. If I absolutely had to, it would be Richie, but I must admit to having a soft spot for Victor Criss :blush:

[tess4da]

Not Pennywise, that's for sure. Nor do I like Bev's Dad, or husband. I've loved these kids since I bought this tattered paperback in 1987, they showed me that a united group, kids or adults, can make a difference. Naturally, my favorite character would be the obvious one, 'Stuttering' Bill Denbrough, he pulled everything together. The 'Loser's Club' would be welcome at my house, anytime.

[elevelyn]

I think my favourite would have to be ben, i also loved mike but if i have to choose it would be ben

[ASPERGILLUS]

Sad to say haven't read It in awhile, but the librarian, was his name Mike? He knew something was rearing it's ugly head and got busy. Call him the arranger. Thinking dude!

[Bynum360]

my favourite character would have to be beverly i always liked her charactrer seconed would have to be ben

[TozierChucks44]

Henry Bowers, I found his story to be the most interesting.

[Dallas Riley]

Beverly :)

[Sterling]

I related to Ben more than anyone else in the book, but my favorite character is Michael Hanlon due to the fact that he is like the last piece of the puzzle to piece everything together! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

[Jack Torrance]

That is tough one for me. There were a lot of memorable characters in It. I have to go with Pennywise the Clown. Not that I endorse the eating of worlds and children and so forth but I always paid a bit more attention to the story whenever Pennywise was involved. It probably helped that Tim Curry was so darn good as him on the TV mini-series. It's hard to forget Pennywise from the book or the TV series.

I did like Henry Bowers, Bill, and Ben as well.

[Tamou]

Hm, that's a tough one. If I had to choose it would be between Bill, Ben, Ritchie, Eddie or Henry. I'd probably choose Bill, I've always had a weakness for him. :blush:

[Anton177]

All 7 of the losers, they just make one complete character. You need all those traits and idiosyncrasies to make things funny or understandable in the scenarios.

But a special mention goes out to Patrick Hockstetter and Eddie's Mom. The part where it showed Eddie's mother mindset when Eddie broke his arm was flawless, he was just right inside her head... and the part with Patrick and the fridge was the most horrible image of the book for me. Great use of solipsism syndrome and the description of trapping the dog, I'm not afraid to say, brought tears to my eyes from both sympathy and anger. It astounds me how King managed to create these amazing characters in this book, and have them all portrayed straight across to you down to a ******* T.

[marew1]

Pennywise.

[Firebird]

I'm going with Eddie!

[Sawney Beane]

I also liked Ben the most.As a kid I was a bit like Ben,only I wasn´t really talented in anything... oh,yes,I was quite good at beating the crap out of bullies whenever I had enough,but I´m sure he had more style,and probably never went back home looking like a panda bear,wich I did, more than once.

[C52anon]

Eddie. I like him for standing up for himself in the end. At the last moment, he stood up to IT.

Also, has any one else noticed how often King has a character named Eddie in his stories?
Dark Tower, IT, I believe there was an Eddie in Dreamcatcher. Oh, and not to mention the Eddie in the Rose Red movie (who also had a strange and overbearing mother).
Is there something to that perhaps?

PS: Enjoying Dark Tower. Half way through book VII and reading the comics. Recently found out that this hard back copy I found (in a bargain bin of all things, a shame in all honestly) is a first edition!

Now if I can only find a signing in Nashville... Someone at my college said he saw King go through his cash register line at Target. As King was checking out Shane said he looked down at his name tag that was labeled "CS". Apparently King told him that there is a show where he could buy a vowel for that.
If he speaks true, then I can only hope he goes through Rivergate Mall's customer service desk today... Sorry, off topic.

EDDIE. That's my answer.

[Moderator]

Steve was in Nashville on business back in January but I doubt he had time to go to Target as it was only a one day trip. There are a lot of look-alikes out there. :smile2:

[JRLauer]

Ben by far. He’s the guy I relate to the most of any Sai King character.

[King Jacob]

My fave character is Pennywise. My next would be Ben.

[Bryan James]

There are a lot of look-alikes out there. :smile2:

Don't look at me for too long, 'cause I'll get around to the looking back part.

BJS

[Agincourt Concierge]

Pennywise....

and I agree w/John....Tim Curry stole the movie as Pennywise.....

for real...

[Garry]

I would have to go with Richie he allways had something funny to say no matter how dire the situation.

[kisun]

Mike Hanlon.

Just because he was the one who had to deal with it for all those years by himself.

[Todash]

Steve was in Nashville on business back in January but I doubt he had time to go to Target as it was only a one day trip. There are a lot of look-alikes out there. :smile2:
Sounds like a comment he might make, though. :p

[rudiroo]

Has to be Mike Hanlon on grounds of integrity & humanity that flows off the page.
First time I read It, my self-esteem was lower than low and I was having a hard time being black (US readers will probably think 'what?'), so SK writing about a heroic black character without some clunky old message meant a lot to me.
In fact, apart from James Patterson, I can't think of a popular writer who creates such sound black characters. Critics never give SK credit for this.
Has anyone else out there noticed? Thanks!

[thepunisher82]

Mike Hanlon. His character brought so much to the story. I especially loved his research into the history of Derry. It was a real bonus in addition to the main story. I identified with Richie the most out of the group, but Mike was invaluable to the tale.

[devilboy666]

id have to say pennywise as well

[Blaze_04]

Ben Hanscom

[-The Road Virus-]

So far I really like Ben and Bill, also Eddie, but I'm only on page 300 so it could change.

[ally88]

Has to be Pennywise for me..without him, there is no IT:eek2:.

[catnoel]

Good old Ben. He's the kinda guy you would want to have around!!! Loyal and a good guy.

[karend3]

Ben Hanscom was my favorite, what a great imagination and inside strength. If something were to have happend to Bill, Ben would have been the next leader.

[BDenbrough]

Oh good thread!!! Well, I'd have to say Bill....(hence the screen name). I guess he's the kind of kid I always wished I had been growing up. He was the leader...but not 'cause he was big or muscular...but because he was strong inside.

He also had really good character development throughout. He started out really weak and grew stronger. Then as an adult he had to do it all over again.

Plus in the 90's I LOVED Jonathan Brandis so him playing Bill in the movie was great.

But who doesn't love some Pennywise??? :love:

[kingricefan]

I just started a re-read of IT yesterday. I forgot how good this book is, how well-written!! As for favorite character, I would say Bill. All six of them are great in their own way, tho!

[ComeUntoSweetDeath]

Pennywise is my choice

[cfin5256]

As far as the kids go, it has to be Bill, then Ben. Favorite overall character is defenitely Pennywise.
Only book I've ever read that made me sleep with a light on for awhile. I've never looked at clowns quite the same since then.

[TowerGirl]

Ben has to be my favorite as well. But I will never forget Pennywise. To this day I find clowns and balloons kinda scary!!

[BeowulfTX]

I'll take Richie. He's the comedian and encourager/fatalist, but Ben had me from the moment he knew what he was up against and the outlandish step he took to fortify himself into motion.

I always wanted to try that myself, but never quite built up the gonads to get it done. Just ridiculous kinda crazy. I confess I'm a tad too, um, youth challenged(depleted?) to try such a stunt now.

Lemon juice... who knew?

[tillyn]

Like JD, i would have to say Pennywise , second would be Mike H. because he had steel will power and guts. To have to deal with Derry while every one was gone, that would take quite nerve.

[michal]

I like Ben too, especially as he was as a child. Sorry to sound like I'm repeating what some of you already said, but I was also fat, and also lost a third of my body weight as a teenager - and actually, also mainly out of spite. But I think there will be no story without IT. He is the center of it all and if nothing else, for this I rather like it - sharp teeth and all.

[Richard_B]

It would have to be Ben (You bet your fur it would)- probably my vote for best SK character from any book for that matter. For me it's the scene when he comes back to The Red Wheel each Friday night - even when he's working in London. What would you do to have someone as cool and loyal as that by your side?

[Roseasharn]

I'm gonna say Bev, just to give the poor girl some representation.
one of my favorite parts of the book when I first read it was "Sit on this, dear heart"
Audra was actually a really strong character, too. At least from what we got to see of her.

[bopropadop]

Ben.

And Bill, and Eddie, and Stan, and Mike, and Richie, and Bev, and Pennywise...

[pagantallie]

Ben and Bev...I too was bullied about my weight for years and so totally identified with him. Bev too as she was the only girl and she was tough, which made me relate to her too..and of course, sweet Georgie...Shame he was a gonner from the get-go!

[catnoel]

Haystack. I know one in real life and he has been my bud for 20 years!!!:love:

[JustAfterReading]

The Losers. They were/are the epitome of friendship in my eyes.

All for one and one for all come whatever may.

[sgmonje]

Ben Hanscom is my all time favorite character in IT, but oddly enough Patrick Hockstetter is in close second...the psychology behind his character interests me. I love the way all the characters were written in this book though.

[The Barrens]

The great thing about this book is that each character from The Losers Club is lovable, at the same time each of them are flawed. But together they make the perfect team. Stephen King really loves to capture childhood memories and the trust that children earn when all they have is each other. Looking forward to the movie.

The book "IT" inspired us as a rock band, hence we name our band name The Barrens. Hopefully it will inspired you too.

[Telltelatoo]

I have to say that the monster IT is my favorite character in IT. That being said, I now feel like a horrible person.
I think the reason I like It is because of it's nature as a monster. The Crimson King might be a more powerful Stephen King villain, but there was arguably nothing more insideous, deadly, and genuinely creepy than the monster in IT. It's interesting how monster keeps everything in Derry private and "tidy," rather than another villain like Flagg or the King who might flaunt his deeds.
I must admit I was also persuaded into liking IT by it's trademark and personality. (Orange puffs on the silver tongue of a bird?) I've never seen something quite like that in a horror monster before.

My favorite "real" character would be Richie Tozier. He's got a genuinely amusing feel to him in an otherwise macabre setting.

[worddance]

Ben was my favorite. Like so many others, I identified with him and thought he was a great guy. I loved his little crush on Bev.

Funny how so many people in the world can identify with being picked on in school.

Mary

[The Barrens]

Beep Beep.

[jaxter]

BEN HANSOM.

i loved all the characters especially Bill too, but oh Ben... so sweet, thoughtful, loyal, and steadfast.

[dumakeykate]

Beep Beep.


Love it, brought a smile to my face.

Eddie

[fairy76]

My first thought was Beverly; as a girl reading this for the first time when I was about their age, I loved her point of view.But after more thought on the question I think its a toss up for Bill or Ben.

[audreylovesbenhanscom]

well, i actually made this account to discuss It, and more prominently, the characters. my favorite character is ben. i have read the book four times, and each time, i find something new that i love in him. yes, i fell in love with him.
no, it's not just because he was the sweet fat kid, although that is a big factor...pardon the pun. it's because he's so clever, and funny, and intelligent, and he either doesn't know it, or he's incredibly humble.
and if i thought i couldn't love anyone more than young ben hanscom, i was wrong. the handsome, just as humble adult ben made me swoon with every word. his character is like, built from charm.

my second favorite character would probably be mike or bev.

[audreylovesbenhanscom]

Richie T. is a great character, but my favorite would have to be Ben Hanscom. I just found him to be very endearing. My random pick for favorite character would be Mike Hanlon's father. While he only plays a small part, I thought his character was great! Especially, the story he tells Mike about the club fire
Oh, i loved mike's father. it broke my heart when i read that he died so early in mike's life.

[henrybowers]

yeah i registered to post. although i want to say one of the losers. i have to say henry, just because hes so interesting

[Jack Roman]

Just a question that's been churning my mind; whats everybody's favorite character from Stephen King's novel, IT?

My favorite character in the book is Richie Tozier, easily. I think he is most like me, in a sense, always the funny one. Also, Richie is one of the least identifiable characters in the book, as though he joked around and is sarcastic, he is very complex on the inside. He seems to be mostly afraid of eyeballs and things relating to them; an example is the dream he had in which he was shoving in pin into his iris. He also has a strong disliking for his glasses, which can be traced to the ridicule he but up with as a child because of them (and the time in which he was pushed and his glasses broke, which his mother yelled at him about and then went into the other room and watched TV).

When I read the book I often picture him as one of those anime characters that always have a glint coming off their glasses. As far as his appearence, I think the movie was very far off; I picture him with shaggier hair, and not as ugly. But then again the movie didn't really get anything right from the book, really.

Who was your favorite character from the book? Bill? Richie? Bev? Eddie? etc.

- Sorry if this has already been posted. I checked and there isn't one from specifically IT, so I thought I'd make one for kicks
I don't really have a favorite. I want to say Pennywise, but I hate clowns. Also most of the characters were annoying to me.

[Robert Gray]

I don't really have a favorite. I want to say Pennywise, but I hate clowns. Also most of the characters were annoying to me.

Ok, I have to ask. What did you like about Pennywise? I see this comment (or one like it) pop up now and again and it always puzzles me. Pennywise doesn't actually appear that often in the book, nor is the character filled out in a way that would allow someone to relate to "It." At least, I would certainly hope not. It has some personality and even a comical sort of hate but all in all It is more like an ominous threat in the background, a natural disaster waiting to happen. Saying that Pennywise is your favorite character in the book is like saying Hurricane Katrina is the most compelling person in the events that destroyed New Orleans. The hurricane was certainly a pivotal event, but the story (or stories) is about the countless people caught up in it. More to the point, if you found the Losers annoying, how did you manage to get through the book at all? That is what ninety-nine percent of the book is about. It is the story of the Losers and they dominate nearly every page. Are you honestly saying you read a book that size just for the paltry few pages where It chooses to appear as Pennywise the Clown?

[Craig Zadow]

Ok, I have to ask. What did you like about Pennywise? I see this comment (or one like it) pop up now and again and it always puzzles me. Pennywise doesn't actually appear that often in the book, nor is the character filled out in a way that would allow someone to relate to "It." At least, I would certainly hope not. It has some personality and even a comical sort of hate but all in all It is more like an ominous threat in the background, a natural disaster waiting to happen. Saying that Pennywise is your favorite character in the book is like saying Hurricane Katrina is the most compelling person in the events that destroyed New Orleans. The hurricane was certainly a pivotal event, but the story (or stories) is about the countless people caught up in it. More to the point, if you found the Losers annoying, how did you manage to get through the book at all? That is what ninety-nine percent of the book is about. It is the story of the Losers and they dominate nearly every page. Are you honestly saying you read a book that size just for the paltry few pages where It chooses to appear as Pennywise the Clown?

That's kind of a weird coming from a guy with Robert Gray as a user name, was Ben Hanscom or any other of the loser's taken? Anyway,people don't have to a reason for liking Pennywise the most. Just cause a character isn't the most fleshed out doesn't mean that they can't be the most fasinating. Look at Anton Chigur in No Country for Old Men. You know absolutly nothing about him or his past, he doesn't do a single nice thing the whole movie and for all intents and purposes he is little more than a force of nature (or maybe even death itself) . None the less when you hear about that movie they talk about him cause he is fascinating and scary as hell. Llewelyn Moss and Sherrif Bell are great well rounded characters like the losers but Anton Chigur like Pennywise are something different: scene stealers and people love a scene stealer.

[Adrian]

Pennywise.

[DaveN]

I'd think it's a tie between Mike and Ben.

though everything about Eddie was so sympathetic i couldnt help but focus on him alot of the time and feel bad for him.

[Robert Gray]

That's kind of a weird coming from a guy with Robert Gray as a user name, was Ben Hanscom or any other of the loser's taken? Anyway,people don't have to a reason for liking Pennywise the most. Just cause a character isn't the most fleshed out doesn't mean that they can't be the most fasinating..

It isn't weird at all coming from me. It would be impudent to take a name from one of the likeable characters. I'm not that likeable. We also differ on another matter. People always have a "reason," whether they are aware of it or not. I will accept your answer as stating you don't know why you like Pennywise the most. I will likewise accept that you find the Losers annoying. I find it difficult to believe you made it through over a thousand pages of story about the Losers while not liking them. People are strange it seems. Ben is my favorite character from the book, although I am fond of all the Losers. I also like Henry Bowers and Mr. Keene.

[Craig Zadow]

It isn't weird at all coming from me. It would be impudent to take a name from one of the likeable characters. I'm not that likeable. We also differ on another matter. People always have a "reason," whether they are aware of it or not. I will accept your answer as stating you don't know why you like Pennywise the most. I will likewise accept that you find the Losers annoying. I find it difficult to believe you made it through over a thousand pages of story about the Losers while not liking them. People are strange it seems. Ben is my favorite character from the book, although I am fond of all the Losers. I also like Henry Bowers and Mr. Keene.


Where did you get that I found the losers annoying? I never said that or even implied it. I love those characters. All I said was that I thought that Pennywise was the most interesting.

[Robert Gray]

Where did you get that I found the losers annoying? I never said that or even implied it. I love those characters. All I said was that I thought that Pennywise was the most interesting.

I got it because you quoted and answered a question directed at someone else. I naturally assumed you were the person I originally was speaking to.


Originally Posted by Jack Roman I don't really have a favorite. I want to say Pennywise, but I hate clowns. Also most of the characters were annoying to me.

I apologize for the confusion but you are at least partially guilty of it with me.

[thedarksideoffrootloops]

Hi all! I am new here (haha can you tell??) and IT is my absolute favorite SK book of all time. I have read it at least 10 times and I always seem to find something new when I re-read it. I can honestly say that I don't have a favorite character because they are all my favorite characters and I love them all dearly for different reasons. I adore and identify Bev because like her, I grew up in an abusive home with an abusive father. I also married an abuser and was able to get out of that situation. But--I love all the characters. Even Henry Bowers (god-forbid)!

[thepunisher82]

I like Pennywise because HE is the scariest clown ever and I love the silver dollar eyes. I wanted my user name to be Robert Gray or Pennywise, but they were already taken. I also liked that whiteboy Mike Hanlon and that latino Ricardo Tozier.

[blueeyes]

I totally agree that Pennywise is the best charecter and Tim Curry did an AMAZING job in the movie!:wow:

[Trueivy]

Ben Hanscom definetely. I loved his innocence and his deep love for Bev. I thought he was intelligent and could have easily been the leader, And as an adult although he was an alcoholic I loved his laid backedness and how humble he was.

[davemelnick]

My favorite character is Pennywise. Given all the kids are xcellent also. * SK put a very vivid picture for each IT character. I also luv that he places a good deal of 'em in other books.

[Clustermugger]

Creepy frick'n clown.

[Midten]

Pennywise, he was epic. Eddie has to be my favorite Loser though.

[-Caleb-]

My favorite character has to be Ben. This is probably because I can relate to him the most, I was always the wallflower of my group of friends, and I liked the girls (and they never noticed me)