History NiceGuy / Literature

%% ZCE ** Arthur Weasley and his sons Bill and Charlie.

* Johnny Smith from ''Literature/TheDeadZone'' is extremely nice, concerned about others, excited about teaching, and so obviously well-meaning that it's impossible to hold a grudge against him. Even after it becomes obvious to him that [[spoiler: the only way to be sure of averting nuclear holocaust is to kill Greg Stillson, he procrastinates and delays as long as possible because ''murder is wrong''.

* Dean from Creator/TanyaHuff's ''[[Literature/KeepersChronicles Summon the Keeper]]'' is so well-grounded people instinctively look for roots when they see him. He does housework, never swears, and is really handsome as well. Oh, and he's a twenty-year-old [[NatureAdoresAVirgin virgin.]]
* In ''Literature/JohannesCabalTheNecromancer'': Its part of the BlackComedy tone of the book and how close to being a villain the titular character that his brother, a vampire is by far the nicer guy-he and Frank Barrow (a retired policeman who serves as an antagonist to Cabal in the last few chapters) are the only truly nice guys in the book. In Horst's ideal world, he'd drift from easy job to easy job sleeping with an endless stream of women (later book goes in-depth to explore that Horst is a wholesome womanizer and contrasts him to a more villainous type) and not go out of his way to bother or hurt anybody. Frank likewise would make a traditional Hero in any sort of crime story.
%% * Romulus in ''Literature/TheForgottenLegion.''

* Karal from the ''Mage Storms'' trilogy of the ''Literature/HeraldsOfValdemar''. He's so nice, in fact, that he's terribly ill-suited for the web of political intrigue he's thrust into by the death of his [[TheMentor mentor]], Ulrich, Karsite ambassador to Valdemar. However, as a priest (and an honest one, even), this very attribute turns out to be his greatest asset in making friends with the Heralds.
* ''Literatyre/MercyWatson'': Mrs. Watson dotes on Mercy, offers refreshments to everyone, and even insists on bringing inside a thief and feeding him before he gets arrested, solely because she thinks he looks a little small.
* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'':
** Brienne of Tarth. She's kind, generous, honourable and loyal. Unfortunately, these traits are not useful for a woman who lives in a CrapsackWorld.
** Arys Oakheart, being the most unwilling of the Kingsguard to beat Sansa (and does so as lightly as possible), and is steadfastly loyal to Myrcella, whom he is sworn to protect.
** Garlan Tyrell is mentioned a few times as a MasterSwordsman before his brief appearance at Joffrey's wedding establishes him as a surprisingly nice guy. He's one of the few people who gives Tyrion his due credit for saving the city and makes pleasant conversation with him throughout the procession. He even chastises the king for abusing Tyrion.
** [[IdealHero Davos Seaworth]] is one of the most decent-hearted and kind people in the entire series. Though he has been knighted and raised to the nobility by Stannis, being a WorkingClassHero gives him far more insight into the plight of the smallfolk and those most of the nobility consider beneath them, also showing himself to be a loving father and husband (though feels guilty about knowing other woman). Davos remains constantly kind and a FriendToAllChildren, [[spoiler:even going against Stannis' orders by smuggling away Edric Storm to prevent them being burnt by Stannis.]]
** Prince Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen from "The Hedge Knight" is set up as TheWisePrince, with the potential to embody TheGoodKing. He helps Dunk when they embarrass themselves in front of him, and later [[spoiler:acts as one of Dunk's champions in a Trial by Seven, on the grounds Dunk protected the weak and innocent as every Knight should (Dunk attacked Baelor's sadistic nephew [[RoyalBrat Aerion "Brightflame" Targaryen]] who was torturing a woman). [[NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished Sadly Baelor dies]] when his brother Maekar, Aerion's father, accidentally strikes him a fatal blow to the head.]]
** Most of the [[BigGood Stark family]], be it Ned, Robb, Bran, or Ned's illegitimate son, Jon [[HeroicBastard Snow]] -- all of whom are honorable, good-hearted, and concerned with doing the right thing. Ned is shown to be [[HundredPercentAdorationRating greatly respected and admired]] by the smallfolk under his care, many of whom are still loyal to the Starks, [[spoiler: even after many of them have been wiped out]]. Robb is dutiful and moral and tries his best to do right; Bran -- like his father and brothers Robb and Jon -- is dutiful and compassionate; Jon is definitely a Stark in all but name and is among the most compassionate and moral characters in this CrapSackWorld. However, you do not want to [[BewareTheNiceOnes piss a Stark off.]]
*** Ned Stark's daughters, Sansa and Arya, likewise start out as compassionate and good-hearted albeit in very different ways, with Sansa as a gentle, idealistic proper lady and Arya a down-to-earth tomboy one of the few noble characters in the series not to care about class status, is furious at how the likes of Joffrey mistreat lowborns and risks her life several times to save innocent people. However, their struggles surviving in a CrapsackWorld begin to train the kindness out of them.
** Daenerys Targaryen is likewise kind, gentle-hearted, and compassionate but [[BewareTheNiceOnes will retaliate]] against her enemies.
** Jon Snow's best friend, Samwell Tarly, also qualifies as he is kind, open, and compassionate.
** Arya's best friend Gendry, despite his surliness is quick to defend the vulnerable, joins the [[{{WeHelpTheHelpless}} Brotherhood Without Banners]] because he admires their ideals and was last seen caring for a house of children orphaned by the war.
* Isaac Fisher from ''Literature/{{Outsourced}}'' is kind, considerate, and unwilling to take action that could cause future harm. This turns out to be a bad move.
* ''Literature/JeevesAndWooster'': Bertie Wooster is a sweet UpperClassTwit who constantly finds himself in trouble because of his niceness and his inability to say "no" to anyone. [[TakingAdvantageOfGenerosity Of course, everyone constantly takes advantage of him]], but he's never bitter in the least. (Or, if he is, he's [[ExtremeDoormat very quickly talked out of]] even that.)
* In the Indian novel ''Literature/TheWhiteTiger'': Ashok, who is frequently described by Balram as "virtuous." %% This comment was added automatically by FELH2. In case the wording doesn't make sense, rewrite it as you like and tell this troper.

* One of the most [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] qualities about [[TeamMom Mary Terrafino]] and Edilio Escobar from the ''Literature/{{GONE}}'' series is that, out of a town with children 400 strong, these two are the ''only'' people who aren't complete douches at least half the time, or worse. That includes [[TheHero the hero]], the love interest, [[AntiVillain the sympathetic villains,]] the goofy best friend, the [[TokenMinority supporting token minorities]] and even the '''extras'''. Even the extras in this series have a jerkass mode. By default. It's often mentioned that Edilio and Mary are the only real kind hearted, selfless people there, [[BreakTheCutie even though they often have the most to be selfish about...]]
* ''Literature/WarriorCats'':
** Onestar was once this, but when he became the [=WindClan=] leader, he TookALevelInJerkass.
** Brackenfur too. In fact, he's one of the nicest cats in the series.
** Billystorm, Leafstar's mate from ''[=SkyClan's=] Destiny''.
** Shellheart, the father of Crookedstar and Oakheart.
** Even Blackstar himself temporarily became this. It causes Lionblaze to jokingly say "Who are you, and what have you done with Blackstar?"
* Peeta Mellark in ''Literature/TheHungerGames''. [[spoiler: Averted a bit in ''Mockingjay'' when he is hijacked (completely brainwashed) by the Capitol. He eventually overcomes it, though.]]
** Also, Finnick Odair. Easily one of the most genuinely friendly people in this series.
* Literature/HarryPotter:

** Remus Lupin. He's spent his entire life being shunned and ostracised due to his [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent lycanthropy]], but he's never turned against to the dark like so many of his fellow werewolves. Instead, he is one of the kindest, most fair-minded, good-natured people you could hope to meet. [[spoiler:He tries to leave his wife, Tonks, and his unborn child to [[DaddyHadAGoodReasonForAbandoningYou protect them]] from the FantasticRacism they would suffer as the family of a werewolf. He realises the error of his decision after a WhatTheHellHero from [[OrphansOrdeal Harry]], returning to his family, and is ecstatic with happiness when his son is born]].

%% ** Isabelle Lightwood.
* From the Creator/JaneAusten universe, Colonel Brandon and Edward Ferrars in ''Literature/SenseAndSensibility'' and Charles Bingley and Jane Bennet in ''Literature/PrideAndPrejudice.''
* Creator/SimonaAhrnstedt has a few examples.
** Sofia and Johan ''Literature/{{Overenskommelser}}'' are so close to being flawless and perfect, that they can never cause any drama on their own. But still, they remain close friends/[[BetaCouple beta couple]] to the more complex alpha couple Beatrice and Seth.
** Ossian Bergman in "De skandalösa" is a DorkKnight and a GentlemanAndAScholar, who seems to be a genuinely nice person. And yet, he's a close friend to the much more complex male protagonist Gabriel Gripklo. And in the same novel, the sweet-natured ProperLady Venus Dag och Natt is a female example of this trope.
* ''Literature/TheManWhoCarriedTrouble'' has Bill, an overly nice guy who is having a horrible week.
* Vikus from ''Literature/TheUnderlandChronicles'', would much rather talk through differences than fight over them.

%% * Jem Carstairs from ''Literature/TheInfernalDevices''.
* ''Literature/TheGiver'':
** Jonas is intuitive, understanding, sensitive, kind, well-meaning, polite, and wanting to do what's best for the Community.
** Fiona is caring and considerate, which makes her a good fit for the job of caring for old people. Although [[spoiler: her job of "releasing" old people is not so nice, although she doesn't understand the implications of such an act.]]
* Mason Ashford from ''Literature/VampireAcademy'' is friendly, pleasant, chivalrous, psychologically well-balanced, and heroic at heart.
* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'':
** Eric acts nice to everyone because he doesn't want to provoke conflict. In the first book it's because he's a doormat, and afterward because it's a hassle.
** Nolien does his best to be a gentleman, but he's also kinda snobby.
** Ax Arsenal calls Tiza a "Nice girl whose a little rough around the edges". Then his son chimes up and says "and everywhere else".
* Quite a few characters within [[Franchise/TolkiensLegendarium Tolkiens Legendarium]].
** Beleg Strongbow from "The Children of Hurin" is a heroic and noble Elf who is Turin's best friend. When they leave Doriath he goes looking for them and joins them in fighting the Orcs. When Turin is captured by Orcs Beleg risks his life to save them. [[spoiler:Sadly Turin mistakes him for an Orc and kills him.]]
** Balin the Dwarf seems the kindliest of the Dwarves in "The Hobbit". He is the only Dwarf to enter Erebor with Bilbo, though doesn't go into Smaug the Dragon's lair, and later comes to visit Bilbo. In the Trilogy of "The Hobbit" this is emphasised further.
* In ''Literature/{{Divergent}}'', Al was the most sensitive of the Dauntless initiates, and therefore one of the kindest. [[spoiler:Unfortunately, this is what led to his demise]].
* Lacey from ''Literature/PaperTowns''. She comes off as spoiled and a bit shallow, but very, very loyal to her friends and ultimately glad to be friends with Q, Ben and Radar.
* Ishmael and Bill from ''Literature/DontCallMeIshmael''. Ishmael is friendly to everyone and in the first book of the series he tries to stand up to the bullies making his life hell for a younger boy. Bill is TheQuietOne and has a very gentle personality.
* Robin from ''Literature/TheGirlFromTheMiraclesDistrict'' is kind, polite, provides a shoulder to cry on, knows when to keep secrets and just beams with niceness, to the point that Nikita spends large chunk of the book suspecting that it's all a very amateur and transparent act.
* The protagonist of ''Literature/AlongTheWindingRoad''. While Charlotte is necessarily a tough girl after living through the ZombieApocalypse, she's managed to retain her optimism and does her best to be kind to even the questionable travelers she comes across.
* ''Literature/SpiritAnimals'': Along with Jhi the panda, [[FullBoarAction Rumfuss the boar]] is one of the nicest spirit animals. So much so that when his bitter master is missing his true spirit animal and a part of himself, instead of showing resentment, Rumfuss gets to the root of the problem and helps him out.
* ''Literature/FamilySkeletonMysteries'': Sid, both before and after he died.

* ''Music/EvilliousChronicles'':
** Rajih Assad is loyal, chivalrous, and deeply concerned for the wellbeing of his friends.
** Lukana Octo is very nice and helpful, even to complete strangers, and often acts as a mediator to settle disputes.
** Ayn is deeply loyal to his friends and one of the only people in Yatski to treat [[IJustWantToHaveFriends Clarith]] well. [[spoiler:He even ends up [[HeroicSacrifice giving his life]] to get Michaela and Clarith away from the Lucifenian soldiers.]]
** Michaela is very friendly, kind, and curious, and especially protective of those close to her like Clarith, Gumillia, and Elluka. She does develop a somewhat more snarky personality after [[spoiler: becoming the new Millenium Tree.]]
** [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist Ayn Anchor]] is an honest and trustworthy policeman who wishes to live up to his namesake and protect those in danger.
** Nyoze Octo is very kind-hearted and has a strong sense of justice. [[spoiler:One of the last things he does is write a letter to his brother [[WellIntentionedExtremist Gammon]], asking him not to seek revenge against Nemesis should she kill him, knowing she'd only do it because she was forced to.]]
* ''Literature/CradleSeries'':
** Lindon is shockingly kind and compassionate considering his upbringing, constantly worried about slaves and workers who are getting hurt by the titanic events he's involved in. His entire reason for becoming stronger is so that he can save Sacred Valley from a coming cataclysm, despite the fact that no one in the Valley except ''maybe'' his family cares for him in the slightest.
** Eithan dislikes the constant dog-eat-dog nature of the world, where the strong bully the weak and everyone tries to fight everyone else. He has repeatedly forgiven ''major'' slights to his honor that he could have used as excuses to execute his enemies, and often uses his [[TheOmniscient omniscience]] to make minor corrections to make people happier (such as moving a ladder half an inch so that it won't fall).
* Johnny Smith from ''Literature/TheDeadZone'' is extremely nice, concerned about others, excited about teaching, and so obviously well-meaning that it's impossible to hold a grudge against him. Even after it becomes obvious to him that [[spoiler: the only way to be sure of averting nuclear holocaust is to kill Greg Stillson, he procrastinates and delays as long as possible because ''murder is wrong''.
* Art of ''Literature/{{Flawed}}'' , though a bit cowardly at times, proves himself to be a truly good person who cares about Celestine, even after they have an argument.
* [[GentlemanWizard John Segundus]] of ''Literature/JonathanStrangeAndMrNorrell'' is ''such'' a nice guy it hurts. He writes an article praising Norrell even after the man destroyed his livelihood because he thinks it's for the benefit of English magic, he's willing to defend [[TheOphelia Lady Pole]] with his life and ends up being the first person to realise she's under an enchantment, and as a result he's the only magician that [[ComeBackWrong Lady Pole]] can actually stand. The Narrator lays it on thick at times, but he really is just that nice, and it's demonstrated so clearly through his actions as well as descriptions that it can be easily forgiven.
-->'''Narrator:''' For who can remain angry with Mr Segundus? I dare say there are people in the world who are able to resent goodness and amiability, whose spirits are irritated by gentleness - but I am glad to say that Jonathan Strange was not of their number.
* Alice in ''Literature/ThePoisonApples'' is this, choosing to put her dad's happiness before her own feelings by lying about how she feels about boarding school and generally just wanting to make him happy. She's the only one of the three main girls to make an effort with her WickedStepmother in the beginning. She's also easily the nicest one of the three of them, lacking [[LovableAlphaBitch Reena]]'s BrutalHonesty and Molly's occasionally mean inner monologue. She's the most hesitant of the three to enact the revenge plans (and isn't involved in coming up with them in the first place) and it takes the most to push her over the edge into being unfriendly.
* Creator/IsaacAsimov's "Literature/LightVerse":
** The narrative emphasizes that John Semper Travis is the last person anyone would expect to be murdered because he was quiet and introverted, successful and with an artistic hobby; [[FictionalPainting light-sculptures]].
** The narrative emphasizes that Avis Lardner is the last person anyone would expect to commit murder because, in addition to being an IdleRich, she is also "the gentlest and kindest human being one could imagine".
* In ''Literature/TheLandOfGreenGinger'', Prince Abu Ali is handsome, amiable, considerate, optimistic, industrious, and even-tempered. Nobody in his father's court knows what to do with him.

** The superhero Legend, leader of the [[SuperTeam Protectorate]], inspires an almost universal "he's so nice!" reaction in people who meet him, and is generally considered the nicest member of the [[PowerTrio Triumvirate]], with Alexandria being cold and distant and nobody liking Eidolon. [[spoiler: As it turns out, he's also the only member of the Triumvirate that isn't aware of the horrible crimes perpetrated by Cauldron.]]

* Considering how [[CrapsackWorld dark]] it's setting typically is, the examples from the ''Franchise/EvilliousChronicles'' are a welcome relief:
** Rajih Assad. He's loyal, chivalrous, and deeply concerned for the wellbeing of his friends.

** Ayn, who is deeply loyal to his friends and one of the only people in Yatski to treat [[IJustWantToHaveFriends Clarith]] well. [[spoiler: He even ends up [[HeroicSacrifice giving his life]] to get Michaela and Clarith away from the Lucifenian soldiers]]
** Michaela, who is very friendly, kind, and curious, and especially protective of those close to her like Clarith, Gumillia, and Elluka. She does develop a somewhat more snarky personality after [[spoiler: becoming the new Millenium Tree.]]
** [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist Ayn Anchor]], an honest and trustworthy policeman who wishes to live up to his namesake and protect those in danger.
** Nyoze Octo certainly fits the bill, being very kind-hearted and having a strong sense of justice. [[spoiler: One of the last things he does is write a letter to his brother [[WellIntentionedExtremist Gammon]], asking him not to seek revenge against Nemesis should she kill him, knowing she'd only do it because she was forced to.]]

** Remus Lupin. He's spent his entire life being shunned and ostracised due to his [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent lycanthropy]], but he's never turned against to the dark like so many of his fellow werewolves. Instead, he is one of the kindest, most fair-minded, good-natured people you could hope to meet. [[spoiler: This is seemingly averted a little when he tries to leave his wife, Tonks, and his unborn child to go adventuring with Harry. However, his [[DaddyHadAGoodReasonForAbandoningYou reasons for leaving]] come from his desire to protect them from the FantasticRacism they would suffer as the family of a werewolf. He realises the error of his decision after a WhatTheHellHero from [[OrphansOrdeal Harry]], returning to his family, and is ecstatic with happiness when his son is born]].
** Neville Longbottom is also noteworthy. He really stands out by being one of the very few fleshed-out Harry Potter characters that doesn't have {{jerkass}}ery as one of his flaws.

** Arthur Weasley and his sons Bill and Charlie.
** Cedric Diggory, of course. He's in Hufflepuff House, which seems to be the house for ordinary nice guys (and girls). Modest, accomplished, fair minded, chivalrous; Harry finds it hard to dislike him even though Cedric beats him out in dating Cho Chang.

* Literature/HarryPotter. Harry is decent and honorable and good, a friend to werewolves and Muggle-borns. He's saved from being boring by also being a brave fighter against Voldemort and the Death Eaters, as well as by having the normal anxieties of a teen boy.

* One of the most [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] qualities about [[TeamMom Mary Terrafino]] and [[BadassGay Edilio Escobar]] from the ''Literature/{{GONE}}'' series is that, out of a town with children 400 strong, these two are the ''only'' people who aren't complete douches at least half the time, or worse. That includes [[TheHero the hero]], the love interest, [[AntiVillain the sympathetic villains,]] the goofy best friend, the [[TokenMinority supporting token minorities]] and even the '''extras'''. Even the extras in this series have a jerkass mode. By default. It's often mentioned that Edilio and Mary are the only real kind hearted, selfless people there, [[BreakTheCutie even though they often have the most to be selfish about...]]

* Romulus in Literature/TheForgottenLegion

* Remus Lupin in ''Literature/HarryPotter''. He's spent his entire life being shunned and ostracised due to his [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent lycanthropy]], but he's never turned against to the dark like so many of his fellow werewolves. Instead, he is one of the kindest, most fair-minded, good-natured people you could hope to meet. [[spoiler: This is seemingly averted a little when he tries to leave his wife, Tonks, and his unborn child to go adventuring with Harry. However, his [[DaddyHadAGoodReasonForAbandoningYou reasons for leaving]] come from his desire to protect them from the FantasticRacism they would suffer as the family of a werewolf. He realises the error of his decision after a WhatTheHellHero from [[OrphansOrdeal Harry]], returning to his family, and is ecstatic with happiness when his son is born]].

** Harry himself counts as this -- he is especially heroic and good.

* Remus Lupin in ''Literature/HarryPotter''. He's spent his entire life being shunned and ostracised due to his [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent lycanthropy]], but he's never turned against to the dark like so many of his fellow werewolves. Instead, he is one of the kindest, most fair-minded, good-natured people you could hope to meet. [[spoiler: This is seemingly averted a little when he tries to leave his wife, Tonks, and his unborn child to go adventuring with Harry. However, his [[DaddyHadAGoodReasonForAbandoningYou reasons for leaving]] come from his desire to protect them from the FantasticRacism they would suffer as the family of a werewolf. He realises the error of his decision after a WhatTheHellHero from [[OrphansOrdeal Harry]], returning to his family, and is [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming ecstatic with happiness when his son is born]].]]

*** Ned Stark's daughters, Sansa and Arya, likewise start out as compassionate and good-hearted albeit in very different ways, with Sansa as a gentle, idealistic proper lady and Arya a down-to-earth tomboy one of the few noble characters in the series not to care about class status, is furious at how the likes of Joffrey mistreat lowborns and risks her life several times to save innocent people. However their struggles surviving in a CrapSackWorld are starting to train the kindness out of them.