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Have you ever wondered what your favorite literary characters would reveal to you if you had dinner with them?  I’ve been imagining a nice little intimate dinner party (well, we’d probably have tacos or turkey and dressing) where some of my favorite characters would tell me things I need to know.  Here’s the gist of the dinner conversation.

Winston Smith – Sometimes no matter how hard you try to maintain your mental freedom, the world can break you.  Stay alert. 1984, George Orwell

Claire Fraser – When you give yourself to a person who loves you for who you are, you become more than you could have ever been alone.  Outlander Series, Diana Gabaldon

Jay Gatsby – Before you waste your life on a dream, be sure you don’t have anything real to live for.  The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

Eddie – The size of your life depends on your vision of its reach.  When you realize how many people you’ve touched, you’ll understand that your life is large no matter the large or small tasks you managed while you lived.  The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom

Voldemort – Repent when you are given a chance.  And you are given lots of chances, but arrogance will keep you from recognizing when it’s your last one.  Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling

Billy Pilgrim – Time is what you sense, not what you see.  Slaughterhouse Five, Kurt Vonnegut

Frank McCourt – Making sense of where you started in life determines how significant your path toward your death will be.  Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt

Linda Loman – Allow your loved ones their dreams and make yourself a part of them.  Being at odds with your loved ones creates a discord that cannot always be repaired.  The Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller

My fantasy guest list would include many others.  But this is a nice little start.  Who would join you at dinner?  What would they say to you?  I can’t wait to eavesdrop on what’s being said at your table!