There’s a long list of literary heroines whose roles are beloved, but not every female figure receives the recognition she is due. Woman audiences will readily embrace some of the heroines below whose triumphs and tragedies spill across the pages.

Miss Marple

Proof that a woman at any age is a heroine, Miss Marple’s little-old-lady status is outweighed by her shrewd mind as she uncovers murderers and their crimes. Although old-fashioned to the core, her genius places her at odds — and above — the male characters in the novels.

Sayuri

Despite the mild controversy surrounding Arthur Golden’s novel, the character of Sayuri is as complex and clever as any real-life woman. Trapped by unforgiving and cruel circumstances, she finds a way to survive in the geisha society — in which women may also possess the power to oppress others — and in a world dominated by men. While Sayuri is driven by love, her own survival and quest for independence are at stake in her journey.

Thursday Next

Jasper Fforde’s popular literary detective, Thursday Next is as tough, clever (and tender) as they come. With a touch of old-fashioned hardboiled detective story, tongue-in-cheek references, and sci fi time travel theme, Thursday has a lot of issues to juggle, but outperforms her male counterparts with ease and command. Plus, still has time to pursue her long-lost love from her war service days — nothing to sneeze at in a world fraught with career-driven lives and crumbling relationships.

Tinkerbell

The sassy side of Tinkerbell appeals to a significant number of women who feel left out of the “Wendy” world. Smart, fierce, and loyal, Tink has a dark side that also lets her be jealous, flirty, and even a little vain — human touches that make this fairy a favorite icon for young women.

Sally Lockhart

The Victorian-era detective is a spunky heroine whose popular contemporary series made its television debut with an adapted version of “The Ruby in the Smoke”. Young, stubborn, and unflinching, Sally pursues her own interests despite convention and social limitations, solving crime in a “man’s world” using her feminine intuition.

Dorothy Gale

While this “Wizard of Oz” heroine may only be a little girl, her tenacity in facing wicked witches, weird wizards, and wild creatures earns her a spot on the list of inspiring literary heroines. It is Dorothy who inevitably saves the day and who truly possesses the power to return home — and Dorothy who saves her ragtag team of friends as the unlikely hero.

Great women in literature come in large and small characterizations, but all share the essential feminine hearts and minds of their readers. Whether sweet, sassy, strong, or serious, they capture the imagination and “can do” attitudes their readers know and love.