This Father’s Day remember that whether the Book Dads are good or bad, they’re often unforgettable
From the steadfast wisdom of Atticus Finch to the murderous insanity of Jack Torrance, literature has long been shaped by the impact of fathers. These characters guide, challenge, and sometimes harm, but through their stories, they reveal the many shades of fatherhood — flawed, noble, complex, and deeply human. On this Father’s Day, we want to dive into those characters to honor the types of literary dad who’ve left their mark on our hearts and imaginations.
Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, a great literary father
By Harper Lee
Atticus Finch stands as an example of moral integrity and wisdom in fatherhood. He doesn’t simply guide his children, Scout and Jem, with the rules of right and wrong—he teaches them how to think critically, empathize with others, and live with courage, even when it’s unpopular. He instills in them a strong sense of justice, fairness, and compassion, and encourages them to walk in someone else’s shoes before passing judgment. What makes Atticus such a great father is his ability to balance discipline with understanding, offering both structure and freedom for his children to develop their own convictions. Above all, he leads by example, showing them the importance of standing up for what’s right, regardless of the personal cost. His steady presence and unwavering principles make him not just a father, but a moral compass for his children—and for the reader. One of our favorite book dads.
Pap Finn in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a poor example for Father’s Day
By Mark Twain
Huck Finn’s father, known simply as Pap, is one of the most reprehensible figures in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He’s an abusive, alcoholic, and selfish man, whose presence in Huck’s life is both oppressive and damaging. Pap’s sole interest is in controlling Huck and taking his money, rather than nurturing him. He represents the worst aspects of society, and his treatment of Huck pushes the young boy to seek freedom and independence. Unlike the noble fathers in literature, such as Atticus Finch, Pap is a stark reminder of how fatherhood can become a source of harm and dysfunction. His toxic influence leaves Huck with a profound desire to escape and forge his own path—making his journey down the Mississippi River as much about fleeing his father as it is about discovering who he wants to become.
Horton in Horton Hatches the Egg, book dad classic
By Dr Seuss
In Horton Hatches the Egg, Horton stands out as a great literary dad because of his unwavering dedication, kindness, and sense of responsibility. Despite being a gentle and loving elephant, he finds himself in an unexpected situation when he agrees to sit on Mayzie’s egg while she takes a break. Even though he faces numerous challenges and mockery from others, Horton never abandons the egg, displaying incredible patience and commitment. He demonstrates the importance of keeping promises, even when the task seems overwhelming. His genuine love and care for the egg, which eventually hatches into a baby bird, showcases his nurturing nature, making Horton a truly selfless and devoted father figure. His actions remind us that true parenting is about sacrifice, perseverance, and unconditional love.
Mr. Bennet in Pride & Prejudice, a literary dad to be sure
By Jane Austen
Mr. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice may not fit the conventional mold of a “perfect” father, but his strengths as a parent lie in his wit, his ability to recognize his daughters’ individual personalities, and his deep love for them, even if it isn’t always shown in traditional ways. While often absent or detached in the face of his wife’s relentless push for marriage matches, Mr. Bennet demonstrates a unique form of care: his respect for his daughters’ intelligence and independence. He encourages Elizabeth’s sharp mind and wit, even if it sometimes leads to tension, and he ultimately supports her choices in matters of love and marriage, even when they challenge societal expectations. Although he may not always act as a pillar of emotional support, his genuine concern for his daughters’ futures—despite his sarcastic humor and frequent retreat to his library—reveals a quieter, yet significant form of fatherly devotion. He may not be perfect, but his occasional wisdom and love for his children make him a good figure to celebrate on Father’s Day.
Jack Torrance in The Shining, another one where maybe we skip Father’s Day
By Stephen King
Jack Torrance in The Shining is a deeply flawed and ultimately destructive father, whose internal demons and personal struggles prevent him from being a healthy, supportive figure for his son, Danny. On the surface, Jack seems like a man trying to rebuild his life and provide for his family, but his volatile temper, alcoholism, and the pressure of his own unfulfilled ambitions cause him to spiral into anger and violence. While he genuinely loves Danny, his inability to control his darker impulses makes him a danger to those he is supposed to protect. As the novel progresses, Jack’s descent into madness under the influence of the Overlook Hotel amplifies his worst qualities, turning him into a direct threat to his son’s safety. Instead of being the guiding, nurturing father figure Danny needs, Jack becomes a tragic example of how unresolved trauma and unchecked mental illness can warp a father’s relationship with his child. Jack’s journey highlights the tragic consequences of a father who is unable to overcome his flaws for the sake of his family. A top contender for a bad literary dad.
Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, one to celebrate every Father’s Day
By Victor Hugo
Jean Valjean in Les Misérables is an extraordinary father figure because of his unwavering love, sacrifice, and redemption. Despite his troubled past as a convict, Valjean transforms himself into a man of integrity, guided by a strong moral compass. His devotion to Cosette, the orphaned daughter of Fantine, elevates him from a mere guardian to a true father. Valjean takes Cosette in when she is vulnerable, providing her with not only safety and care but also a sense of worth and love. He gives her the childhood she was denied and strives to protect her from the dangers of the world, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness and freedom. What makes him a great boo dad is his capacity for selflessness and the way he teaches Cosette—through his actions, not just his words—that love, compassion, and honor are far more important than wealth or status. Valjean’s fatherly love is not just about physical care but also emotional and moral guidance, offering Cosette the stability and values she needs to build her own future. In many ways, he becomes the father she never had, and his profound influence on her life is a testament to the redemptive power of love and sacrifice.
Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather, a controversial father figure
By Mario Puzo
Don Vito Corleone is an iconic figure because he embodies the complexities of power, loyalty, and love within the context of family. As the head of the Corleone crime family, he is a ruthless strategist who will stop at nothing to protect his empire and his loved ones. Yet, despite his criminal activities, his deep devotion to his family makes him a compelling character. His actions are driven by an unwavering desire to ensure the well-being of his children, even if it means sacrificing his own peace of mind or moral integrity. Don Vito’s blend of wisdom, compassion, and calculated ruthlessness paints him as a patriarch who, though bound by the violent realities of his world, is still deeply concerned with maintaining family unity and legacy. His belief in loyalty and his willingness to go to great lengths to keep his family safe is what ultimately makes him both a feared figure and a deeply sympathetic one.
Happy Father’s Day
to all the Dad, Grandads, Step-Dads, and all the Father Figures out there!
Interested in reading about more memorable fathers? We’ve put together a list of some of the best books about fathers and family dynamics we’ve seen this year.
Guided: Lost Love, Hidden Realms, and the Open Road
By Kirsten Throneberry
CIBA First Place Winner in the Journey Division
In her stunning memoir, Guided: Lost Love, Hidden Realms, and the Open Road, Kirsten Throneberry weaves together the highs and lows of a road trip packed with life wisdom, where she explores grief, spirituality, and rekindled hope.
Throneberry’s achingly vulnerable memoir splits its readers’ hearts and tenderly sews them back together.
In the aftermath of the devastating loss of her husband, Kirsten sells her home and takes her two small sons, two elderly pups, and eccentric mother on a year-long road trip around the United States in their new-to-them Bigfoot RV.
The Tale of the English Templar
By Helena P. Schrader
Far from the romantic legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Helena P. Schrader’s The Tale of the English Templar faithfully captures the harsh decimation of the Knights Templar. Schrader offers a sobering, immersive look at one of history’s darkest betrayals. This is historical fiction worthy of legend with its feet planted firmly in research—not myth.
Set in the early 14th century, the novel captures the downfall of the Knights Templar at the hands of French King Philip IV. With the Pope’s reluctant cooperation, the Templars are accused of heresy and tortured until they confess to crimes they didn’t commit. The king’s true motive? Their immense wealth.
Sea Tigers and Merchants: A New American Generation (Salem Stories Book 2)
By Sandra Wagner Wright, narrated by Christa Lewis
CIBA First Place Winner in the Goethe Division
Sandra Wagner-Wright’s audible version of Sea Tigers & Merchants: A New American Generation, Salem Stories Book 2continues the sagas of two prominent families that dominate the shipping industry of young Salem. Narrator Christa Lewis fully embodies the unique characters of this swashbuckling historical adventure.
Wagner-Wright takes us back to 1790. In recently independent America, the next generation of the Crowninshield and Derby families try to continue building their fortunes on the treacherous high seas. Threats of pirates, storms, and ever-changing economies drives their fates, their successes, and their failures. Wagner-Wright’s skillful pen brings to life each young person, female and male, as they variously seek out or shun a chance at love on shore.
The Rocket Man’s Daughter: A Novel of Family, Faith and Resistance in Nazi Germany
By Bruce Gardner
The Rocket Man’s Daughter: A Novel of Family, Faith and Resistance in Nazi Germany by Bruce Gardner tells a harrowing story of German life under the Nazi Regime from 1934 to 1945. Through the experiences of a young woman whose family is torn by competing loyalties, this riveting tale shines a rarely seen spotlight on some of the most heart wrenching moral dilemmas faced by German civilians and soldiers caught up in the crucible of fascist tyranny and war.
Klara Neumann is the Rocket Man’s Daughter. She’s only fourteen in 1934 when the Führer, Adolf Hitler, finally eliminates all rivals and consolidates his control of Germany under the Nazi Party.
Klara’s family represents a microcosm of the country’s middle socio-economic class, working in government-sponsored roles that demand slavish obedience to the Führer and his decrees. Her father, Erich, is the quintessential ‘rocket man’, a university professor dragged into the Nazi war machine to help his friend and colleague Dr. Wernher von Braun develop the deadly new V-2 rockets intended to terrorize Germany’s future enemies. Her mother, meanwhile, strives to be a dutiful Nazi wife, her brother an honorable Wehrmacht army officer, and her elder sister Elke the devoted leader of a female Hitler Youth section.
Eating Together, Being Together: Recipes, Activities, and Advice from a Chef Dad and Psychologist Mom
By Julian C.E. Clauss-Ehlers and Caroline S. Clauss
CIBA Grand Prize Winner in the Insight & Information Division
Eating Together, Being Together is a rare, enlightening book that teaches the importance of family dining, both on the culinary side and in its benefits for childhood and young adult development beyond the kitchen walls.
Co-authored by master Chef and Dad, Julian C.E. Clauss-Ehlers, and Ph.D. Psychologist and Mom, Caroline S. Clauss-Ehlers, Eating Together, Being Together offers up their parental wisdom and expertise from the heart of the home—the kitchen.
With informative but relaxed conversations about food choices, preparation, and related activities, the two provide great insight into how family mealtime promotes well-being in a child’s life. As involved adults, they incorporate thoughtful discussions about spending quality time with their children, sharing and mitigating bad feelings, and making wonderful memories. Ultimately, they showcase family meals as nourishment for both the body and soul.
We would like to wish all fathers, fathers-to-be, stand-in fathers, and those who possess the fathering instinct, a very Happy Father’s Day!
Thank you for joining us in celebrating the Fathers in our life!
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Thank you again to the authors who wrote these wonderful books, and to fathers and father figures around the world! You are so loved and appreciated!
