Sunday, March 29, 2009

Ten best valets in literature

At the Guardian, John Mullan named ten of the best valets in literature.

One valet on the list:
Littimer

We know there is something deeply wrong with Steerforth, the object of the hero's devotion in Dickens's David Copperfield, when we encounter his manservant. Everything about him is "respectable". "Such a self-contained man I never saw. But in that quality, as in every other he possessed, he only seemed to be the more respectable." He helps Steerforth seduce Little Em'ly, and is ready to take possession of her when his master gets bored.
Read about the other nine valets on Mullan's list.

See also: Ten of the best butlers in literature.

David Copperfield appears among Elizabeth Gilbert's six favorite books.

--Marshal Zeringue