Don't you hate it when a lead character of a series does something you can't forgive him or her? I do!Take Sookie Stackhouse from the Southern Vampires series for example.
I always thought she acted very rash at times, taking people's words for granted instead of checking facts before acting. So yeah, I will admit my thoughts about her weren't all positive from the start, but still I could live with her character flaws, until....
She blames another person for doing stuff she does herself all the time!
It doesn't help that the person she blames and bans from her life is my all time favourite character in the series either.
I really tried reading the book that came after the book where this happens, but I just can't get over my dislike of Sookie and I keep putting the book away.
So:
How about you?
Can you read books where you do not like the lead character?
10 comments:
hmmmm cant remember what she does to whom LOL
but, yeah, I have hypocrisy in fiction as much as in life =/
+JMJ+
You're making me rack my brains for a character I really, really can't stand, Sully. I know there must be one or two, although I can't think of them now. I presume, of course, you mean characters we're supposed to like--not villains whom everyone loves to hate anyway.
It's more normal for me to be turned off on the outset by a character, either because I just can't identify with him or because I don't think the writer did a very convincing job on him. Then I don't continue reading. But such strong dislike is rare for me.
I can't. I just tried to read the much hyped "Girl With a Dragon Tattoo" and hated the main character. Not the girl (who isn't really the main character despite the title) but the "journalist." Ugh. What an awful character. He comes off as some pseudo political crusader and womanizer, but really he's just a Mary Sue character created for the author's enjoyment. I don't know why everyone goes crazy over that book. I thought it was awful.
I liked Sookie early on in the series, but she has gotten harder to like over time. I never really noticed the inconsistency with her words and deeds at first, but now that you mention it, I think you're right.
it's definitely hard when you don't like the lead!! sometimes its ok, but others i just quit reading!
Trying to read a book when you don't like the main character is like trying hold hands with someone you don't like. It's not going to be an enjoyable experience. At least that's my opinion. ;)
Oooof, I know what you mean! I only read 2 of the Sookie Stackhouse books and just lost interest. But I'm re-reading Frankenstein for my class and I'm realizing *exactly* what a whiny little git he is in the text. Someone gets HANGED for a murder the creature has committed and Victor thinks that her pains cannot equal his own because she at least has a clean conscience. AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH.
Um, sorry. It appears to be a bit early in the morning for me to regulate my temper. LOL
If a character does something that is unforgivable in my eyes, i can't get over it. I keep grudges lol
I'm glad to hear I'm not lone in this.
@Larissa: I'm talking about a certain bald guy who turns hairy once in a while :-p
@SQT: I haven't read the books and also haven't seen the movies, but sounds like I might not enjoy it.
@Demented Wench: I like that comparison! I might borow it from you sometime ;-)
@Birdie: oh, yes! Great example.
+JMJ+
I've thought of one! Queen Betsy of the Undead books by Mary Janice Davidson. It's probably Davidson herself I don't like, but what really turned me off from Betsy was a certain love scene when she discovers that she can hear her lover's thoughts. He is being very tender and careful with her, but she wants to test whether he can hear her too, so she thinks, "Hey, I have a galloping case of VD going on!" or something like that. I just thought that was so tasteless and that her lover could have done much better than her.
I remember that scene. That was indeed not one of her finer moments. I must say I like the series, but more for Sinclair (the lover) than for Betsy.
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