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Perfection or flawed? Which do you prefer?
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Lisarenee
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Jan 09, 2014 05:44AM
So have you noticed the trend of the main character in books becoming more flawed and less perfect? In romances, once upon a time, the woman nearly always used to be a virgin until
HE
(you know the type, usually referred to as
THE ONE
) found her. Even the men, while perhaps misunderstood, weren't really 'tortured' heroes (at least that I can recall) or perhaps they were and the 'tortured' title became more true or perhaps more physically so? Even YA books, (and, yes, they may have been the instigators) tend to be having more flawed characters, just look at Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Bella Swan (before her sparkling transformation) to name a few. Is this a new trend or has it just been gaining in popularity? Do you have a preference or do you say “Vive la différence"? If you have any favorites let us know.
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I love my characters flawed, though I don't mind a virgin heroine. I don't consider that perfect or imperfect. Just a by product of their history. But perfection in any character is just boring.
I like flawed characters or characters who have to earn their skills and abilities. Perfect or uber-competent characters are okay for a supporting/guest role but are boring as a main character.
In one sentence, Batman is more interesting than Superman.
I think all characters have to have some kind of flaw of issue or they are boring. I mean even Superman has his issue which is he has super powers but he wants to be like everyone else.Like who is a perfect character...I cannot think of one...well maybe some of the romance novels which would explain why I dislike those...
At any rate my favorite characters are typically flawed in some capacity. I like it best when they have these internal battle between what they want to do and what they should do like competing motivations.
Mike wrote: "In one sentence, Batman is more interesting than Superman."True but Batman has better toys and he is a lot darker :-)
I once read a short story in school about a beautiful young girl thought she was ugly and whenever someone would ask her out she thought it was out of pity. I wish I could remember the name, but it reminded me of that song "You Don't Know You're Beautiful" by One Direction. My point being, that when I say "perfect" I'm using it to describe characters that are pretty much perfect with minor issues or flaws that are mainly self imposed. Superman is a perfect (pardon the pun) example. He's good looking, tall, muscular and his issues stem from being too perfect, too powerful and needing to hide his secrets. Now that I think about it, Batman isn't all that far off perfection wise from Superman. The guy is rich, handsome, has nifty gadgets, and an awesome butler.
I think the Hulk would be a better example of a flawed superhero. He's less in control and always afraid he'll hurt someone. His initial inability to control the monster within was an interesting twist added by the character's creator.
So put like that Lisarenee I am not sure if characters are more flawed today than they were years ago. Mostly due to my own ignorance... most books I read are published after 1980, so not a lot of experience with literature prior to that. The few exceptions are classics. If I think about characters like Mr Darcy, whom most people think is great, but the truth is he is a bit of a twit. Think about it, he intentionally is rude to the woman he is supposed to love, he tries to ruin the sister's happiness and then only at the end does he try to redeem himself - only to get the girl.But back to the world of UF. I like to be emotionally attached to characters and I am not sure how flawed they actually are. For example I like Dexter and he is morally corrupt plus he is a killer. Yet I also like Superwoman who lets face it is the definition of girl power.
I guess when I was younger an read comics I wanted to be like superwoman so she is someone who I aspired to be. I still like her today because she gets the job done and she is graceful about it. Yet I like Rachel Morgan because she is someone who I can relate to (well sometimes :-))
In terms of writing though I think most writers do prefer the flawed hero because it is easier to see character growth or change over time...for example they typically gave to learn or discover new strengths that they did not have before if they are going to succeed in their quest. Not to mention the drama that happens as these events occur are what keep me (anyway) reading a series.
Writing the prefect hero is much harder yet for those who do it ...like superman and superwoman ...they do it well to keep us coming back for more.
Oh and by the way Batman is way better than the Hulk no doubt about it lol
Agree with you all some flaw is needed otherwise the book is dull. So many vampire books have the vampires virtually perfect, they can do anything and never get hurt. Drives me nuts. But on the flip side, there are some MCs so flawed I wonder how they get out of bed in the morning and why I should care because there's nothing there I can like or relate to.
Flawed is always the best, and before any of those series mentioned Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Bella Swan they were exceeding popular in the adult titles. Such as Anita Black, Cole's work, Ward, Kenyon, and more.
Perfect characters are boring and unrealistic. Though a staggering amount are still virgins or haven't been "around". I don't think that trend will ever quite die out.
The thing about the virgin is how they will a virgin one minute then a sex kitten the next ...is it to much to ask for a transition phase?? Maybe feel a little self conscious after??
My thing about the virgins are how they're supposed to not know anything. They're innocent. Yet they just "know". What is giving head? Then boom, they know how and they've got great technique. A virgin who knows the stuff (whether they've got smutty friends or books to teach them) seems more realistic. But they're still that awkward fumbling.
In the end though I think the giving of the Vcard is too easy, or just not realized enough. Most of the time I think it probably should be a bit more awkward then portrayed.
But hey, we're not reading some of these for 100% authenticity.
@Shera totally agree I am just looking for a book to mix it up a bit you know.I recently read an historical romance where the guy was a virgin had no idea what to do and it took a minute to get it right. I was so happy lol
That's awesome! What HR was it?Oh, I get it. When you find those more realistic ones it's like finding hidden gems!!
Shera (Book Whispers) wrote: "That's awesome! What HR was it?Oh, I get it. When you find those more realistic ones it's like finding hidden gems!!"
Exactly!! I think it was The Duchess War I never mark these things and I really should!!
Thanks. I'll toss it on the old TBR!
It is a great book I hope you like it
