Chapter 21 - My Dad Is The Best
- Vicki Baty
- Jun 15
- 3 min read

My plan for today's blog was to write about good dads in literature. It seemed like a great idea to celebrate Father's Day, albeit a day late.
My sister and I were blessed to grow up with a good dad. My dad worked in a family owned business and, while it would not have been his career choice given an option, duty called. Dad was a musician at heart playing clarinet, saxophone, and piano. He worked jobs with a local Big Band group to provide money for our family vacations. Dad planned vacations north, south, and west so that we could learn about United States history, geography, and museums. Of course somehow we always seemed to go in the direction of where an old Army buddy lived.
As we got older and moved away from home his pride in our achievements was evident. He would often call to talk about work, the Ravens, the Orioles, the news, or even what funny thing had happen during our day. While we might not agree with everything the other said our conversations were interesting and respectful.
So all this to say I've searched for literature where the father (or father figure) is a hero or at least a good guy. Surprisingly, this has been very hard to find. I guess there is no excitement in having a good dad in your story. I also think that a story is more complex when the man who is supposed to take care of you turns out to be a bad guy.
These are the books I came up with where dad is mostly a good guy.
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Harper Lee based her character Atticus Finch on her own father, also an attorney. Atticus was wise, kind, respectful of all, and admired in the community. He took on the case of Tom Robinson even as he knew people might be hostile toward him. Atticus Finch in this book was the ultimate good father.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Mr. Bennet (whose first name the reader never knows) was the father of 5 girls and the husband of a very silly and overbearing wife. Throughout the book he is wise, humorous, understanding, and sees the strengths and weaknesses of his family very clearly. Often he calls them out on their whims and fancies without belittling them. As you read the book it might seem like Mr. Bennet is a weak character but he is really the foundation of the family.
After Annie by Anna Quindlen - The latest Anna Quindlen book has Annie's husband, Bill, falling apart after her death. (No spoilers here, she dies on page one!) He realizes that his children have experienced as great a loss as he has and makes decisions to protect and strengthen his family.
Lightning Strikes by William Kent Krueger - This prequel to all Krueger's Cork O'Connor books tells a story of Cork as a boy under the influence and protection of his dad. Liam O'Connor is the sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota and the book takes place the year before his death. Cork's decision to go into law enforcement derives, in part, from the qualities his dad had shown through his life.
Take Me With You by Catherine Ryan Hyde - While this novel is really about a father figure and not so much a good dad, there are qualities of both in the book. August Schroeder has been sober ever since his son died in a car accident. He decides to take an RV trip that he and his son were planning before the accident. When his RV breaks down in the middle of his trip, the mechanic who fixes it convinces him to take his two boys with him to see the country. There are lessons for everyone in this trip.
So that's all I could come up with! Do you have any suggestions for a novel where the father is the hero? Let me know.
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