Sunday, March 2, 2014

The Likability of Characters

I've been running into what seems like a trend lately and I'm really questioning it. Authors seem to be making their main characters a little more unlikable. Why? To create complexity or because they don't realize that their character is off-putting? Really, this question can't be solved unless we were to talk to every author who has created an unlikable character. Even then, it'd be a little awkward to ask them why their character is asking for a death wish and they didn't even mean for that to happen.

So my real question is if you all like more complex characters. For me, I think there can be a range of the likability or unlikability of a character. 

Universally Liked
I'm not saying that everyone who has read this book has liked Alina. Or that she doesn't do wrong or does wrong in later books. But from what I've heard, everyone likes Alina. She's insecure, but becomes stronger. She has to deal with problems and crushes and evil. You can't help liking her. 

Reasonably Flawed
Katniss has her demons. You can't blame her. She lives in an oppressive, dystopian society in which she's picked to fight to the death with 23 other kids her age. During the series, friends die and she's forced to mingle among privileged citizens and her resentment has built up to the point of most likely murder. She's flawed. But in the same way, you sympathize with her and if you're like me, you root for her until your voice gives out. 

Plain Annoying
There are enough annoying people in the world already, I don't need to read a narrative of one. Depending on the annoyance level, I might stick through it, it might not even bother me, or I might DNF it. In the example above, if you saw my review you'd know that I DNF'd it. Yes, ain't nobody got time for that. 

Not-Detrimentally Unlikable
I didn't know if I should put this subcategory before or after the annoying one. Like I said, it depends on the annoyance level. For these kinds of books, usually the character is overall unlikable, not just doing annoying things. My review of Side Effects May Vary will be up soon, but for me, the main character Alice was unlikable, but not horribly so. I didn't root for her, but I didn't hate her. Which leads to...

Hated
I'm still so confused on the book above. My review of this one will be up in the coming weeks as well and I just don't understand. It seems as if the author wanted her character to be unlikable, but hated? I doubt any author would want that. When a character is in the hated subcategory, he/she is doomed. She has probably done repeated (most likely severe) offenses, grated on your nerves, made you cringe more than nails on a chalkboard, or made you feel disgusted. All you have to do after reading a character like the one in Tease is go take a shower. Cleanse yourself from her.

The examples above are only my opinions. I know some people think drastically different, which is why I push you to comment below on what you would put in these subcategories of likability.

Why I actually wrote this post was to see if you liked it when your characters have major flaws. I think every main character has some flaw in their life. The insecurity of Mia in The Princess Diaries, the stubbornness of Celaena in Throne of Glass, or the somewhat snobbiness of Lilac in These Broken Stars. Flaws create dimension and realism. Realistic characters are always needed. But when it comes to repeated offenses or "major" flaws, I wondered how much is too much for all of you?

Note: I'll be at basketball State Championships from today until late Tuesday night. Hopefully, I might be able to check Twitter now and then. But in all likeliness, I won't be able to socialize much until Wednesday (maybe even later if the results turn out depressing). But I'd love to see comments when I return *winks.* Adios! 

22 comments:

  1. Totally agree!
    About why they do that, I think it reflects real life in that aspect. There are people you love, people you hate, and a huge range in between. Like that in characters. When you read, you're reading this annoying person's story, and who knows, maybe it's good. Or sad. Or crazy. But that still doesn't mean you have to like the person it happened to.
    Esty @ Boarding with Books

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    1. I completely agree with this comment, it's a great view.

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  2. I don't mind if a character starts of unlikable and then has profound growth or at least a story that explains some of their flaws enough to change my opinion. I can't stand whining, self-pity, destructive behavior or lack of communication. Great post here, Summer! :)

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  3. For me, it varies on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes a character is unlikable in a fascinating way (Warner from Shatter Me is the first one who comes to mind), which I absolutely love. Generally, the more I hate a character as a person, the more I adore him or her as a character. But then there are those characters who can't do anything but whine, which is enough to get me to put down a book. I understand some self-pity, especially if the author makes me feel for the character, but I want him or her to actually do something about it rather than wallowing.

    Mostly I just want to see complexity. It seems that a lot of people think depth and likability are mutually exclusive, which is so untrue! A character can have multiple likable facets, and to me, that's not necessarily better or worse than multiple unlikable facets.

    Good luck at State Championships! I'll be cheering for you!

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    1. Oh, Warner is a great example. I think a lot of self-pity is a very destructing characteristic to have in your main character! Like you said, some is fine, but not an abundance.

      I LIKE THAT. I like that a lot, Emily.

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  4. I definitely agree that flaws create dimension in characters. I usually find it difficult to believe in a character who is completely flawless, as no one ever is. Plus, with some negative traits present, there is room for growth, and that always makes it easier to appreciate character story arcs. There are times when it can become too much for me though. I have quite a low tolerance for judgemental, irritating characters and characters who make stupid decision after stupid decision (without any acknowledgement or learning from mistakes) as it's pretty difficult for me to then invest in them. And as characters are usually crucial in whether or not I enjoy a book, it can lead to a lot of disappointment. It's interesting to think about, though. Great post, Summer!

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    1. I have VERY low tolerance for those things as well, especially when they're on repeat and just don't CHANGE. It really gets on my nerves and I don't want to feel so negative while doing something pleasurable :)

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  5. I think it's really important for characters to have flaws. As Sam mentioned, it creates dimension in characters and is realistic, as everyone has flaws. It's when the characters don't recognize their flaws that I get annoyed and tend to dislike/hate them, especially if any of the flaws are ones that need to be recognized and dealt with sooner rather than later. Great discussion!

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    1. I think that's a key point. Flaws are good, but recognizing them is key. If they don't, there's really no point.

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  6. I like realistic and reasonably flawed characters, but I definitely have a toleration threshold. I think there are certain personality characteristics that irritate me more than others, and then there's also the matter of how the character grows throughout the book. If they start off unlikable (but not so annoying that it's a big turn-off) but end up in a better place at the end, I definitely appreciate that. Good discussion!

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    1. It's also fun to see where everybody's toleration threshold (love that!) is. What ticks of certain people and how far they can take it.

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  7. First of all, good luck and have fun at basketball camp.

    I know I've been in the minority at times when it comes to liking a character. I am always partial to characters that have the same type of traits that I do, even if they are traits that have dissipated. The hothead females are a favorite of mine, even though I'm no longer like that. So yes, I like mine a little unlikable, because I tend to like the unlikable. Unless it's just stupidity.

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    1. Thanks, Christy! We got 2nd :)

      Ooh, that's another great point! Certain people connect with certain things. So some people may be extremely annoyed by a characteristic, but other people can sympathize with her. I just hope no one can sympathize with stupidity :)

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  8. I like unlikable characters.... sometimes. It just totally depends on the amount. It's funny that you put Tease on there because I really really liked that book... and I think I might be the only one!! Everyone I know that has read it is like WTF... and I'm like I LOVE!!! I like seeing the otherside of things and I feel like it showed that the world isn't black and white. Someone isn't 100% victim or 100% villain in most cases. I felt bad for the girl who killed herself, but she wasn't a saint.

    I like an unlikable character for the most part. One example of one I didn't like- Jessica Darling in books 3-5. Totally unlikable, thought she was better than everyone else... blah! Great topic BTW!!

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    1. Ha! I have seen a few positive reviews on GR! When I first finished it, the average rating was below 3 stars! I actually did like it at first, but I think the big problem was what everyone above me keeps mentioning: the character doesn't recognize. It was great to see the perspective, but I wanted her to shut up and understand, you know?

      I still haven't read that series!

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  9. My review of Side Effects is scheduled for the 10th but I'm debating even posting it now because I really went off on the MC. "Not-Detrimentally Unlikable" is an understatement for me xD And I totally thought your Universally Liked for Shadow and Bone would be the Darkling baha. Wishful thinking ;D

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    1. Haha! POST IT. I've seen a few other reviews that hated the MC as well so you're not alone. And I won't hate you ;)

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  10. Great post! I really like unlikable characters and characters that have flaws. I think that there's definitely a difference between a character who is either written purposefully to be an unlikable character (kind of like Warner from the Shatter Me trilogy or The Darkling from the Grisha trilogy) and/or a character who is purposefully written to have flaws that they will overcome (like Juliette from the Shatter Me trilogy or Alina from the Grisha trilogy) vs. just straight-up bad writing. Sometimes authors write characters that we are supposed to like, but who just come off as annoying or unrelatable. I think that it's probably a fine line, but it really has to do with the author's intent. Is this character supposed to piss us off and we love to hate them, or does they make us seriously want to throw the book across the room because we can't stand them (in a bad way).

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    1. This comment is all-around great. I couldn't stop nodding. You know it's bad when you read and question the author's motives, especially with the main character. Am I actually supposed to like her?!

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  11. I actually have a couple of friends who really, really hated Alina, and that's partly the reason why I put off reading SHADOW AND BONE for awhile--but then I ended up loving the book, and her! I tend to like "unlikeable" characters, which usually just means flawed or quirky or perhaps not as quick to action or whatever. But certainly I've disliked my fair share, too.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  12. This is such an interesting, thoughtful post. I'm not sure I have anything important to add. But I do like unlikable characters that are unapologetic about their behavior. Like Nyx from Cruel Beauty. But annoying characters, or people who do stupid things without thinking, or are just plain mean, I try to avoid those books. I stay away from these really heavy YA issue/contemps that are supposed to teach us lessons from the unlikable heroines. That's probably why I haven't read any of those you listed above.

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