History Characters / BlackBooks

%% Doesn't explain what the reaction is. * BerserkButton: NEVER even attempt to use the word "party" as a verb in his presence.
* BrilliantButLazy: He can write a thousand page novel in one night and is obviously very well-read but is fairly content to just sit around drunk and bitter.

** He sticks a post-it note that says "ON PHONE" to his forehead rather than having to speak to a customer, then comes up with a flimsy excuse not to help the customer because he felt the customer treated him rudely (the customer asks if some books are leather-bound since he wants them to match some other books on his bookcsae - Bernard retorts that he'll only accept the transaction in leather-bound pounds that match his wallet).

-->'''Manny''': Let's par--\\
'''Bernard''': DON'T YOU DARE USE THE WORD 'PARTY' AS A VERB IN THIS SHOP!

* LethalChef: Bernard has managed to smoke away his entire sense of smell, which at one point leads him to confuse a coaster for a biscuit. His cooking skills reflect this - in the episode where he tries to convert the bookshop into a restaurant, he ends up giving all the customers food poisoning.

%%* MeaningfulName: Matches his cynical personality.

* GeniusDitz: possesses remarkable talents such as being able to play a piano melody after hearing it on the radio once.

** When Manny enters the store having an anxiety attack and requests a copy of "The Little Book of Calm", Bernard spends as long as possible processing the transaction, prolonging the attack.

** When Manny enters the store having an axiety attack and requests a copy of "The Little Book of Calm", Bernard spends as long as possible processing the transaction, prolonging the attack.

** He sticks a post-it note that says "ON PHONE" to his forehead rather than having to speak to a customer, then comes up with a flimsy excuse not to help the customer because he felt the customer treated him rudely (the customer asks if some books are leather-bound since he wants them to match some other books on his bookcae - Bernard retorts that he'll only accept the transaction in leather-bound pounds that match his wallet).

* LethalChef: Dylan has managed to smoke away his entire sense of smell, which at one point leads him to confuse a coaster for a biscuit. His cooking skills reflect this.

* {{Oireland}}: In possibly the least Oirish person to ever fit this trope. Still, many of the elements are there, such as the love of alcohol (though Bernard's favored tipple is wine, not beer), the readiness for violence and the Irishisms (though less "Top of the mornin'" and more "Stick it up yer feckin' hole"). He is also shown to speak at least some Gaelic.

%%* LethalChef: ''"MY OVEN CAN COOK BITS OF OVEN!"''

%%* TheFriendNobodyLikes: Fran seems to be this amongst all her female friends, which is why she hangs around with Bernard and Manny.

* TheImmodestOrgasm: [[ADateWithRosiePalms To the sound of the shipping forecaster's voice.]] She even has to call him so she can finish.

%% Doesn't explain what the reaction is. * Berserk Button: NEVER even attempt to use the word "party" as a verb in his presence.

%% * Hair Trigger Temper: When you're Bernard, life is just a long series of Berserk Buttons.

* KavorkaMan: Subverted, he gets girls but they disappear pretty quickly once they catch a glimpse of how much of a sleazebag he is.

* BerserkButton: NEVER even attempt to use the word "party" as a verb in his presence.

* HairTriggerTemper: When you're Bernard, life is just a long series of {{Berserk Button}}s.

* ExtremeOmnivore: Things Bernard Black has ingested - a coaster, slug pellets, oven cleaner, a jar of coffee, a teacup - are less about nutrition and more absentmindedness, dead tastebuds and rage.

-->'''Manny''': Let's par-\\

%%* {{Jerkass}}

* TheLostLenore: A great part of Bernard's cynical outlook stems from the loss of his beloved several years prior to the show. [[spoiler: She is, unbeknownst to him, very much alive and happy to be away from him.]]
* ManChild: You wonder how he keeps the place going for so long. The man has the maturity of a six-year-old.

* HiddenDepths: He's an extremely talented musician, artist and writer as evidenced when he helps Bernard write a thousand page novel in one night.