Do You Have to Like the Characters in Your Book?

Every once in a while, a reader will say they didn't "like" or "care about" one of my main characters. Of course, we're talking about crime fiction where many are often unsavory even at their best. Noir makes it even murkier since most, if not all, of the characters are, by design, dark and therefore unlikeable.

My guess is the readers are referring to the good guy wearing the white hat. Take Jack Reacher of Lee Child's wildly popular action series. Jack is the uber-tough guy. Everything he says is righteous, and every move he makes is right. This blend strikes a resonant chord in his readers and fans, including this one I will add. So, how can you but not like Jack?

On the other hand, more realistic protagonists have warts and flaws to go with their virtues. For instance, my PI Frank Johnson is an ex-boozer. His vice is a strike against him. However his ongoing sobriety is a point in his favor. If you don't like boozers in general, you might not like him. You might not care what he jams he gets into and out of either.

Frank is also a cat lover. He boards his pet when he goes out of town and likes to phone the kennel to check up. That makes him a more congenial soul unless you're not a cat fan.

Frank now has a girlfriend he lives with, so he forms meaningful relationships. This is also good. We all can use a little company.

Ed Lynskey
@edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles