tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post4544138291660428921..comments2023-11-02T02:40:48.410-07:00Comments on Crime Fiction Collective: Why Are Sleazy Protagonists Popular?L.J. Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-18347556817560139442011-05-16T08:48:55.377-07:002011-05-16T08:48:55.377-07:00When I'm reading a book (or writing one), &quo...When I'm reading a book (or writing one), "Make Me Care" is #1. I'm not looking for perfection, but I'd like to think that if I met this character in my life, I'd like/respect him or her.<br /><br />Then again, I write romantic suspense, where the protagonists are referred to as hero and heroine, which automatically means they're going to have to be "not-shady"<br /><br />Terry<br /><a href="http://terryodell.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a>Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-2163904913140676212011-05-13T17:10:21.769-07:002011-05-13T17:10:21.769-07:00Deeply flawed is one thing. Deeply flawed can be i...Deeply flawed is one thing. Deeply flawed can be interesting, something to hope for. Redemption is such a cool literary tool. Unlikeable? Not so much.<br /><br />Flat characters, both the good guys and the bad guys, are boring. We all know that. <br /><br />But a protag who I don't like? Not gonna go there.<br /><br />I picked up a book one time by an enormously successful author. It was my first read of hers, and the book was in the middle of her series. I know she walked a fine line between boring her long-time readers and engaging new ones, but I have to say, she failed miserably on the latter. I never did care for her protag, and as a result it was a DNF.<br /><br />For me, finding someone who interests me, engages me and connects with me to the point I'd love to have them as a neighbor, brings a read up to a higher level.<br /><br />Maybe I'm just selfish.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-25604459753891536442011-05-13T17:09:12.935-07:002011-05-13T17:09:12.935-07:00A thriller wouldn't be a thriller without at l...A thriller wouldn't be a thriller without at least one nasty villain for us to hate and fear, but I like my protagonists to be likeable. The hero has to be flawed, of course, and the villain can't be 100% evil. Both need the depth and tension of opposing traits within themselves.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-60895697692709255492011-05-13T16:03:01.909-07:002011-05-13T16:03:01.909-07:00I'm one of those who enjoys reading about &quo...I'm one of those who enjoys reading about "unlikable", deeply flawed characters. I put "unlikable" in quotes because that can be quite a continuum, and if there's something there that creates empathy, or gives me a connection (something to grab onto like Andrew said), I'm engaged with the story. <br /><br />None of the protagonists in Patricia Highsmith's novels (except maybe Ripley) are likable, but they fascinate me, and I can empathize with their alienation, and that's enough for me.<br /><br />I actually don't care for "heroic" characters ... I think they're often <i>too</i> good, their flaws too minor.Cathryn Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665896654352405640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-18397561835908830742011-05-13T13:45:51.726-07:002011-05-13T13:45:51.726-07:00Generally, my favorite characters are the ones who...Generally, my favorite characters are the ones who are flawed yet vulnerable--or at the very least, have some sort of quality that gives me a connection with them or a reason to care.<br /><br />Having said that, I could easily enjoy a character who's a criminal just as much as one who's a doctor--as long as they give me something I can grab onto. After all, some of the most evil characters have also been the most beloved. It's the Character we Love to Hate Syndrome.<br /><br />Look at Hannibal Lecter: without a doubt one of the most repugnant in literature --and yet, without a doubt, also one of the most popular. A psycho with a soft spot, he's very dark yet very funny. Harris does a brilliant job creating a monster the reader can actually like. We know he's horrid, and yet, at times we almost forget.ANDREW E. KAUFMANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835920472268730244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-27043439508939897802011-05-13T12:17:23.133-07:002011-05-13T12:17:23.133-07:00I'm with you on that, LJ! I get turned off if ...I'm with you on that, LJ! I get turned off if the protagonist is a creep, and I put the book down and don't pick it up again.<br /><br />James N. Frey, in How to Write a Damn Good Thriller, says readers want to read about justice prevailing and the good guy winning over evil. That's certainly how I feel. <br /><br />A flawed protagonist with basic good qualities is okay - makes him more human and more interesting. But a basically evil or selfish or unethical or amoral protagonist? No thanks. Too depressing for me. I'll just put the book down.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.com