The Characters - Diary of a Part-Time Indian

[Matthew]

Discuss the characters here - favorite, least favorite, etc.

[Matthew]

You know what was great about this book, I liked all the characters - whether they were good or bad. Not that I have to like all the characters to like a book, but I really felt like Alexie did a great job at creating characters we want to read about and see how they interact.

[Kandice]

I would go further and say that I did not like every character, but I did want to read more about them. This is something I think Alexie has in common with Gillian Flynn. I often actively dislike her characters, but am still compelled to read more about them.

[Matthew]

I should probably clarify - especially since you mention Gillian Flynn - the way Alexie writes, I found myself enjoying even the unlikeable characters and the part they play in the story. With Flynn, I tend to hate most, if not all, of the characters, and I just want to punch them all in the face (even if I do like the story).

[Kandice]

Matthew wrote: "I should probably clarify - especially since you mention Gillian Flynn - the way Alexie writes, I found myself enjoying even the unlikeable characters and the part they play in the story. With Fly..."

LOL I wouldn't have typed that, but I will heartily agree with you!!!

[Matthew]

Kandice wrote: "LOL I wouldn't have typed that, but I will heartily agree with you!!!"

Well, perhaps "punch in the face" is a bit of hyperbole - but, it serves to drive the point home! :)

[Kandice]

Punch in the throat, then? Just kidding! I've heard that phrase thrown around by the younger set and it just comes across so much more violently!

Kidding aside, I know exactly what you mean!

[Richard]

I hate to be a Debbie Downer this month (especially since it is my first month), but I didn't really like any of the characters. I didn't find Arnold interesting and everyone else seemed to be a cardboard cutout of a real person. Very two-dimensional. Maybe I'm just expecting too much from a YA novel.