Danielle The Book Huntress ’s Comments (group member since Jan 27, 2010)

Danielle The Book Huntress ’s comments from the Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group group.

Shellie wrote: "Can I join this discussion? I finished a book last night and I'm torn on how to rate it because I didn't like the Hero. He made horrible choices imo and didn't really do anything that would qualify..."

If it's a romance and the hero is very unheroic, I can't rate the book well because I don't believe in the romance and the potential HEA.

It's pretty dark. I still need to get caught up. His acting is phenomenal though, and he has great chemistry with Ruth Wilson.

Kagama-the Literaturevixen wrote: "I would like to be the bookish quirky type. And when the bad guys underestimate me I would cast a spell on them."

Well-played! :)

What book was it, Teen?

And Idris plays conflicted and damaged wonderfully. Have you seen Luther?

Not too late at all, Maria! Congrats!

I tend more towards rugged looks or unusual looks. I don't tend to care much for pretty boys, although some of my actor loves might be a bit on the pretty boy scale. My current and very persistent obsession, Benedict Cumberbatch, can be funny looking at times, but there is something about the man that is super-duper fine to me. And I am not alone. But I'm starting to think my type is tall, lanky guys with odd looks, and British. And Tom Hiddleston is another favorite.



I find Prince Charmings boring, honestly. Not sure why, but I do.

Daniel Craig would be my example of rugged but fine. His looks aren't even, but man, that man makes me swoon. I'm not even partial to blonds. But this man....



And then there is Idris Elba....

Kagama-the Literaturevixen wrote: "Brood of Bones have a bit of that...not a straight romance but its there.

Hes affably evil I guess"

I have that on my Kindle. Must check it out!

Shay wrote: "I just posted this in another group but I think it fits with this discussion. If you don't like the book so much that you don't finish, do you rate it?"

If I truly hate a book, I will rate it even if I don't finish it (and I feel I read enough to have an opinion). I rarely don't finish books though.

I rated Gatsby low because I didn't find anything redeeming about any of the characters. I think one day I will reread it, but haven't worked my way around to it again.

Opposite example, The Sound and the Fury by Faulkner. I didn't understand most of the book when I read it, but after reading the Cliff Notes, I realized that I appreciate what Faulkner had achieved with the book. Jason was a wretched human being, but the contrast he created in the narratives between him, Benjy, and I forget the name of their housekeeper was pretty striking, and therefore it was a very successful book.

I do think I am pretty hard on MCs in my escapist reading. If they are reprehensible, it's usually reflected in my rating. I'm not talking about morally edgy characters. I think an author can surprise you in how endearing you can find a rascal, with good writing.

@Fani, I can see you point about the other aspects and nuances of a book winning you over. A good example is The Picture of Dorian Gray. I certainly didn't like him, but Wilde is such a beautiful writer, I loved the book regardless.

So yes, there are times that excellent writing trumps unlikable characters.

Another book I rated highly although I didn't like the characters was The Magicians. It was very enjoyable despite the horrible characters.

I think when it comes to classics, I feel that my radar is high for pretentiousness in the writing. I know most of the classics I rated low, I think another issue was that the author didn't succeed in the goal they set in writing the book, in my opinion. Some examples would be The Stranger by Camus, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.

For instance, The Awakening by Kate Chopin is reputedly a feminist book, but Edna was the opposite of a woman who takes responsibility for and operates in her life through making choices. I was pretty offended by her, honestly.

When I say good looks, I mean drop dead, Prince Charming handsome. How do you sit when it comes to that scale of looks?

What is your definition of 'smoking hot' or 'sexy'? Do you like pretty boy heroes or rugged guys?

Feel free to post pics of guys who you consider pretty versus rugged, but nothing over PG-13.

I'm just curious. I have rated a book poorly because I didn't like/feel sympathy for/respect/or at least understand the motivations of the main character and gotten criticized by other reviewers for it, particularly with classic books that others rate highly. What about your thoughts on this?

Welcome, Erica!

Here's a recommendations thread that you might find helpful.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

What Danielle said.

My father was a cheater too. And controlling. Thanks to him I discovered a frightening depth of coldness in me. People say I'm meaner now. He increased my trust issues. Increased my collection of unpleasant memories. Made me view love in a different perspective. yaddah yaddah yah. And he made me hate cheaters. Someone who tries to manipulate and control me, lie and disrespect me, someone who I cannot trust, cannot become anything to me.


Wow. Sounds like me!!!

You've already read 19 for this, April? Wow. Great job!

Off to a great start, Desiree. I love your created challenge!

Sorry my formatting was so horrible on #5. I fixed it!

Welcome, Jenn and Raine.