[Mithfânion]

I was prompted to create this thread because I was (re)reading about an absolutely hilarious animal character. I find that humour works ten times better (in Fantasy at least ) when it's done through animals. There's this raven in "a fine and private place" , a strangely sarcastic, melancholy bird that made me shudder with laughter. His comments are so unlikely for a bird but his pragmatic wisdom is superb!

Anyone else know of any fantastic animal characters? They need not necessarily be humorous though that can be a plus. I've never read Watership Down so maybe that's a place to start ha?

[Lady Fox]

I love Austin the Cat in Tanya Huff's series The Keeper's Chronicles. He always has his priorities straight. One of his fav comments - When in doubt, feed the cat. Everything else is secondary. LOL! He also likes to make cryptic and snide comments about his "owner's" sexuality, clothes choices, and general intelligence. Usually these comments are made at very inopportune times with double the impact.

The TreeCats in the Honor Harrington series by David Weber are pretty cool, especially Nimitz.

I also am very fond of the Firelizards in Anne McCafrrey's Pern series.

[ChrisW]

Hopper the wolf from WoT.
Crone the Raven from Malazan book of the Fallen.
That wolf in Hobbs books.
Babe the pig from Babe which was called The Sheep Pig when I read it as a child.

[Barbarossa]

Not so much fantasy but rather historical fiction is "Traveller" by Richard Adams of Wtershipdown fame. It's the story of the American civil war told by Traveller the horse of general Lee. It's at the same time hilarious and serious and very well researched.

[Warewolf]

Don't know if this qualifies, but I always liked (and I'm kicking myself because I can't remember his name) the court page in Brooks' Magic Kingdom series that had been turned into a dog by the (sometimes) bumbling court wizard. The interplay between those two was hilarious!! Strabo the dragon was also freakin' cool!!!

The Companions from Lackey's Valdemaar books were not only cool, but a lot of them had wicked senses of humor http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Also, I can't remember the book or author (somebody help me out here, please!!!), but I'm getting an image of a woman in telepathic communication with a dragon who was always making sexual comments about the men that the woman came in contact with. It was so funny (now where the HECK was it from?!?!?!?! Rrrrrrgh!!!).

Oh yeah, and Gwynwhyvar (sp?) from Salvatore's Drizzt books was a bad@$$.

[This message has been edited by Warewolf (edited March 21, 2002).]

[Rob B]

--Loiosh (sp) from Brust's Vlad Taltos books
--NIGHTEYES is the Wolf in Hobb's books
--Aslan from Narnia

[Mithfânion]

but I'm getting an image of a woman in telepathic communication with a dragon who was always making sexual comments about the men that the woman came in contact with

Maggy Furey's books?

[Warewolf]

Mith,

Couldn't be Furey...I've never read anything by her.

[Thom]

I always taught Jolly Jumper in Lucky Luke was really funny.

Seriously, Fantus was a great animal, especially when William could talk to him.

Gratch in Goodkind also comes to mind.

[allanon]

My fav. is Emi from "Redemption of Althalus" by Eddings.
But I also like - the ponny, called Sam from LotR, Whisper from Shannara-saga, Fantus.