Here Are Father Figures in Literature We Love

There’s something about a great father figure in books that sticks with us long after the last page. Maybe it’s their obvious strength, wisdom, or their unexpected tenderness. Some are larger-than-life, while others show us the extraordinary lengths a father will go for his child.

In this listicle, we’re celebrating the dads, grandpas, and stand-in fathers who’ve shaped stories, and maybe even our own ideas of what it means to care, guide, and love. Whether they’re strict, silly, or somewhere in between, these characters remind us that fatherhood comes in many forms.

Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird

When thinking of the ideal dad, every book lover must have pictured Atticus Finch at one point. This small-town lawyer isn’t just raising Scout and Jem, he’s giving out a masterclass in parenting. Remember how he defended Tom Robinson, even when the rest of the world turned against him? That wasn’t just about being a good lawyer, but showing his kids what real courage looks like.

But here’s what really gets me, it’s the little moments that make Atticus special: the way he talks to Scout like she’s an adult, and how he never brushes off her tough questions. Of course, there’s that famous line about walking in someone else’s skin. He’s not perfect (who is?), but that’s kind of the point. The best dads aren’t superheroes; they’re just people who keep trying to do the right thing, even when it’s hard.

Dr. Loid Forger, Spy x Family

Loid thought being a spy would be his toughest job—until he became a pretend dad! At first, he needed a “family” for his mission, but Anya (and her giant, psychic dog Bond) quickly turned his careful plans upside down. Who knew parenting involved so many peanut bribes and emergency homework rescues?

This super-spy can outsmart criminals, but a six-year-old’s questions and a puppy’s puppy-dog eyes always win. Slowly, Loid discovers something surprising. His pretend family feels more real than any mission. He cheers at Anya’s school. He “doesn’t notice” when she reads his mind. Most of all, he learns that being a dad doesn’t require perfection. It just means showing up, even when your cover gets blown.

Matthew Cuthbert, Anne of Green Gables

Matthew Cuthbert never expected to become a father at sixty, which makes his quiet devotion to Anne Shirley all the more remarkable. This reticent farmer, who barely spoke two words to most people, found endless patience for a chatterbox orphan with a penchant for dramatic pronouncements. While his sister Marilla frets over rules and propriety, Matthew’s the one quietly slipping Ann puffed sleeves, defending her imagination, and showing up when it counts.

What makes Matthew special isn’t grand gestures, it’s how he sees Anne exactly as she is: extraordinary. He doesn’t just tolerate her theatrics; he treasures them.

In a world quick to dismiss dreamers, Matthew becomes the steady voice whispering, “You’re enough.” Proof that fatherhood isn’t about biology and love isn’t measured in grand declarations, but in knowing which dreams are worth mortgaging your savings for.

Daniel, All the Light We Cannot See

Daniel LeBlanc shows us that the best fathers don’t just protect, but teach their children how to survive a dark world with courage. When his daughter Marie-Laure goes blind, he doesn’t coddle her; he builds a miniature model of their neighborhood so she can memorize it with her fingers. He turns her disability into strength through puzzles, keys hidden in drawers, and stories of brave snails conquering mountains.

Even as war tears Paris apart, Daniel makes danger feel like an adventure, whispering secrets in museums and carrying hope inside a tiny wooden house. His greatest gift isn’t sheltering Marie-Laure from the world’s darkness but giving her the tools to walk through it unafraid.

Grandpa Joe, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Grandpa Joe might be the most controversial father figure in children’s literature. Honestly? That’s what makes him fascinating. Yes, he’s the bedridden grandfather who magically springs to life at the whiff of a golden ticket. He also lets Charlie raid his tobacco money for that fateful Wonka bar. And yes, he’s the grown-up who eggs on every rule-breaking moment in the factory while the other grandparents fret.

But while Charlie’s world comprises shrinking meals and creaking floorboards, Grandpa Joe becomes his keeper of wonders. He’s the one who trades bedtime stories for secret dance steps and treats a single chocolate bar like buried treasure. While teaching discipline like Wonka, he also preserved Charlie’s fragile sense of possibility.

This tobacco-stained, stiff-kneed old man proves magic exists in the most unexpected places: in a shared daydream, in four grandparents sharing one bed, and in the reckless joy of bubbles that make you float.

Bilbo Baggins, The Lord of the Rings

Bilbo is nowhere near your typical father figure, but that’s exactly why we love him. When this comfort-loving hobbit first took in young Frodo, he probably didn’t imagine he’d become the cool uncle who’d literally go on life-changing adventures and come back with legendary stories (and a very suspicious magic ring).

Amidst all that, Bilbo is the reason Frodo grows up believing there’s more to life than second breakfasts. He’s the one who teaches Frodo Elvish, shares his love of maps and poetry, and – let’s be real – accidentally sets up the whole Lord of the Rings plot by leaving behind that pesky ring.

Sure, he’s a bit eccentric (have you seen his memoir titles?), but at the end of the day, Bilbo shows us that sometimes, the best father figures aren’t the ones who have all the answers. They’re those whose (mis)adventures make space for you to find your own way, even if that means inheriting both their favorite armchair and unfinished business with dark lords.

Baba, The Kite Runner

Fatherhood isn’t always simple or sweet—sometimes it’s messy, like Baba’s love. He’s the dad who teaches Amir to stand up for himself with tough lessons, while showing Hassan kindness through secret gifts and a life-changing surgery. His heart is big enough for both boys, even if he doesn’t know how to say it out loud.

When Baba grows weak, Amir learns something new about strength, not in a man’s loud words, but in quiet moments, like when a father lets his son care for him. And though Baba’s love arrives late for Hassan, the way he always kept him close in small ways shows that family isn’t just about words. It’s about making your presence felt, even with all your shortcomings.

Bandit, Bluey

Forget superheroes. Bandit Heeler is the dad we all wish we had (or could be). This archaeologist-by-day, playtime-champion-by-demand somehow turns every mundane moment into an adventure, whether he’s pretending to be a taxi driver stuck in “heavy traffic” (read: the living room) or enduring yet another round of “Keepy Uppy.” What makes Bandit special isn’t just that he plays along, it’s that he commits, even when Chili’s giving him that “Really, Bandit?” look from the kitchen.

He’s the blueprint for modern fatherhood: silly but sincere, flawed but fully engaged, and doesn’t impose adult expectations on Bingo and Bluey. As others become obsessed with productivity, Bandit reminds us that the real work of parenting happens on the floor. For him, the messiest playtimes forge the strongest memories, and a father’s worth isn’t measured in clean floors but in how willingly he becomes a jungle gym.

Father figures in literature remind us that love wears many faces. Their greatest lesson? Fatherhood isn’t about being perfect but about being present: in the quiet moments of understanding, leaps of faith, and the everyday magic of being there. Here’s to the dads who have shaped us, flaws and all. Visit Fully Booked for the full collection.

Disclaimer: Article used with permission from Fully Booked

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