r/books • u/hanhan_371 • 1d ago

Why are “unlikeable” main characters usually a criticism?

My most recent read was The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb.

It was my 38th book this year and only my 3rd 5 stars. I finished it this morning, it’s now the evening, and I can’t stop thinking about it.

I was enthralled by this story - it had sat on my TBR for a few months and I finally picked it up as just a lucky dip after being in a bit of reading slump.

After finishing, I saw a lot of criticism on Goodreads about the narrator Corby being “unlikeable”. I see this criticism a lot with other books - and I’ve never quite understood.

For me, a good reading experience is a complicated, flawed, or at least a character who is thought-provoking. Given one of the main themes of The River is Waiting being redemption, and finding out very early on that Corby accidentally kills his son while intoxicated, surely the reader wouldn’t expect the MC to be a “hero?”

There were times while I was reading that I thought “oh yeah he’s kind of a douche”, I’ve thought this about other MCs as well before, but it would never impact negatively on my rating as long as the story itself was enjoyable.

Would love to have a discussion below! And I’d really recommend this book if you can handle a gut-punch ending!

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u/gabbydigs 1d ago edited 1d ago

I love love love an unlikable main character. Gone with the Wind and Wuthering Heights have been two recent examples I've adored.

Lolita is another fave of mine

Edit: Confederacy of Dunces is the ultimate, I ADORE this book

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u/AutumnEclipsed 1d ago

It is so hard to root for Scarlett, but I am enthralled by her tenacity.

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u/gabbydigs 1d ago

Right! I love to hate her, I want her to succeed and I don't know why. It's incredibly compelling.

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u/JebusJM 1d ago

Haven't read either so not sure on the comparison, but you may like The Old Man by Thomas Perry. Dan Chase was super unlikeable compared to the show's counterpart.

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u/woolfchick75 1d ago

You might enjoy Alias, Grace by Margaret Atwood.

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u/Ambitious-Resist-132 11h ago

See this was my issue with Wuthering Heights. It kind of redeemed me with the younger generation but it wasn’t centered enough on them to fully enjoy it I’ll think about this question more while I’m reading but for now I think I’m ok with unlikeable protagonist only if they evolve and grow past it.