Pippi Longstocking. I was read that book so many times I knew it by heart. Her mix of courage, playfulness and of speaking truth to power, her refusal to follow society's rules where they made no sense, her innate sense of justice. I'd say that even today hers would be a personality I try to be.
The translation into our language was good and we had a copy that was almost a family relic, given to my father by his mother who would soon die much to young - it's the closest thing I have to an atheist family bible in a way. I was so disappointed when neither of my children were particularly interested when I read them that same book, but they have different personalities than me, so my theory is that the book wasn't so much of an influence on me as it was simply a story that jived really well with my character.
My ex was really into her, but I never quite got the appeal. The character seemed to far-fetched to be relatable. Then I read Anne of Green Gables as an adult, and began to understand that there are harsh and endearing moments amongst the child-like chaos.
It may help to learn the personal story behind the book. A lot of it is based on Lindgren's own childhood and young adulthood. She was quite the character: gave up her son to a foster family, married a real-life "gentleman spy" character, then worked as a government censor reading other people's letters. Whatever her life was, it was definitely not boring.
The translation into our language was good and we had a copy that was almost a family relic, given to my father by his mother who would soon die much to young - it's the closest thing I have to an atheist family bible in a way. I was so disappointed when neither of my children were particularly interested when I read them that same book, but they have different personalities than me, so my theory is that the book wasn't so much of an influence on me as it was simply a story that jived really well with my character.