Are Crime Fiction Characters getting too Weird?

[A.J.]

Lisbeth Salander, Sherlock (UK TV version), DS Stone in Chasing Shadows - are fictional characters getting too extreme? Latest post:

http://awaines.blogspot.com/2014/09/a...
A J Waines: author of Girl on a Train and The Evil Beneath
http://www.amzn.to/14M9mSw


Both reached No 1 in 'Murder' and 'Psychological Thrillers' in UK Kindle charts.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I'm not trying to start an argument here, but just because a person is autistic or has OCD, it doesn't equate to "extreme" or "weird" in my head. And that's not from any sort of political correctness standpoint.

[Skye]

Yikes, I think Lisbeth Salander is probably the most exciting and amazing character I have ever stumbled upon; I find her fascinating, and the three novels are sensational because of Salander and Blomkvist~ I was blown away by the power of Larsson's characterizations. Real life people are odd, strange, unique. Salander truly depicts a complex, wonderful, exotic person.

[Billys]

Nancy wrote: "I'm not trying to start an argument here, but just because a person is autistic or has OCD, it doesn't equate to "extreme" or "weird" in my head. And that's not from any sort of political correctn..."

I'm with you Nancy, 100%.

[Zoe]

I too also agree with you and Nancy

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

I'll have to think more on this but I have noticed that sometimes the quirks - whatever they may be - of the detective are taking over the story and the mystery/crime solving is secondary. As a writer it must to hard to balance character and story.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Donna wrote: "I'll have to think more on this but I have noticed that sometimes the quirks - whatever they may be - of the detective are taking over the story and the mystery/crime solving is secondary. As a wri..."

I can totally agree with what you're saying, Donna. The quirks are okay in moderation and get old when they're overused. But the OP's blog post brings up autistic/OCD characters as examples of "weird" and "extreme," and that's where I have an issue.

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

Oh, absolutely. I would not call autism/OCD weird or extreme. Productive, creative lives come in all forms and need to be appreciated as they are.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Oh, absolutely. I would not call autism/OCD weird or extreme. Productive, creative lives come in all forms and need to be appreciated as they are."

exactly!

[Skye]

Stephen King wrote a magnificent book ( to be used in creative writing classes) whereby he delineates that creative people usually suffer with an emotional disorder; frankly, it has been called to my attention that Salander has Asoberger's Syndrome; whether or not Larrson had that in mind or not will remain a mystery; I think many of us have a touch of something or another.

[Terry]

Check out Jeff Cohen's Case of the Missing Head. The detective has Aspergers (as does Cohen'S son)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Skye wrote: "Stephen King wrote a magnificent book ( to be used in creative writing classes) whereby he delineates that creative people usually suffer with an emotional disorder; frankly, it has been called to ..."

I know that I'm quirky! For sure! Not that I'm a crime fiction character. LOL

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

There should be "like" buttons.

[Skye]

I agree, Nancy!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Skye wrote: "I agree, Nancy!"

Like.
LOL

[Skye]

Like *button

[Afsana]

I agree with u and the others Nancy. the article seems to suggest that autism /ocd were "out of this world" and do we need that to keep people interested. why should they not be detectives.

[Skye]

Of course; look at the show Monk.

[A.J.]

Nancy wrote: "I'm not trying to start an argument here, but just because a person is autistic or has OCD, it doesn't equate to "extreme" or "weird" in my head. And that's not from any sort of political correctn..."
Hi nancy

Thanks for your comment, Nancy - I agree - just because a person is OCD or is on the autism spectrum, does not make them 'weird'. I am a Psychotherapist and have worked with people with a very broad range of psychological and medical issues!

I love Saga in 'The Bridge' - the actor worked hard on that part and it comes from within and works well in the series. My point in the blog is that the character such as DS Stone in 'Chasing Shadows' is portrayed as unrealisic and implausible for the situation he is in. We aren't told he has any form of autism (to avoid misrepresentation, probably). It feels like a caricature, created to be 'weird' for the sake of it, because - perhaps - the stories aren't necessarily strong enough. That was my point really.

Cheers

[A.J.]

Thanks for your comments - I agree - just because a person is OCD or is on the autism spectrum, does not make them 'weird'. I am a Psychotherapist and have worked with people with a very broad range of psychological and medical issues!

I love Saga in 'The Bridge' - the actor worked hard on that part and it comes from within and works well in the series. My point in the blog is that the character such as DS Stone in 'Chasing Shadows' is portrayed as unrealisic and implausible for the situation he is in. We aren't told he has any form of autism (to avoid misrepresentation, probably). It feels like a caricature, created to be 'weird' for the sake of it, because - perhaps - the stories aren't necessarily strong enough. That was my point really.

Cheers
AJ

[Michele]

I didn't read the article, and I love both Lisbeth Salander and Sherlock, BUT, if every other sleuth/crime fighter is a genius/OCD/autistic/savant, and only someone extraordinary is capable of solving the crime - that takes away some of the fun.

I want to sometimes imagine I could solve the mystery, and I'm definitely not a genius. And I like to root for the underdog occasionally. More like Murder, she Wrote or Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr.

I also love Agent Pendergast, but I'll admit sometimes all his bizarre techniques and personal quirks can be a bit much.

[Sharon]

Michele wrote: "I didn't read the article, and I love both Lisbeth Salander and Sherlock, BUT, if every other sleuth/crime fighter is a genius/OCD/autistic/savant, and only someone extraordinary is capable of solving the crime - that takes away some of the fun. ..."

This is definitely where I'm coming from as well. Also, 'damaged' characters, law enforcement/ detectives that are alcoholics, on drugs, suffering from PTSD and serious emotional/psychological issues.

This bothers me in two respects. First, I can't help but wonder if the author gives them these 'handicaps' to try and stand out from other fictional characters so the readers will remember more easily rather than work at making the character himself/herself more vivid. Second, coming from a law enforcement work background, I'm often skeptical that someone with these problems would still be working for the police department or functional as a private detective.

I read the book, come across a long description of the impact of the 'handicap' in a given situation and although I involved in the book there is this little voice in the background sneering, "Yeah, right ... like that's going to happen!"

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Sharon wrote: "Michele wrote: "I didn't read the article, and I love both Lisbeth Salander and Sherlock, BUT, if every other sleuth/crime fighter is a genius/OCD/autistic/savant, and only someone extraordinary is..."

Lately my pet peeve has been characters' angst-ridden lives overtaking the plot in various novels, and this trait seems to be overtaking a lot of mystery/crime novels that are being published. It gets downright old and I've quit reading a few authors because of it. There have been some books where the mystery/crime component could have been done in like 1/4 to 1/3 the space of the entire novel, and the rest is the character's journey through his angst-ridden life. I can just feel the eyeroll brewing when I'm reading things like this. I get that character development is important, but jeez -- enough already!

[Sharon]

Nancy wrote: " I can just feel the eyeroll brewing when I'm reading things like this. I get that character development is important, but jeez -- enough already! "

The thing is, a good author can develop a great character without devoting half the book to their personal angst. At least two of my favorite series now have main characters who are middle-aged, rational and experienced police officers who go home to their interesting wives/families after work without drama.

[Skye]

This is a topic I love; character development is essential, but should be effortless to the reader. I think writing is a craft and a talent; it can be taught, but should not sound formulaic. That is when talent must appear.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Sharon wrote: "Nancy wrote: " I can just feel the eyeroll brewing when I'm reading things like this. I get that character development is important, but jeez -- enough already! "

The thing is, a good author can d..."

It should be that way. Even if a character is completely angst ridden, it shouldn't devour the entire storyline.

[Sharon]

Another thing I think I'm noticing is that authors are really 'digging' to come up with new and different 'handicaps' for their characters. I'm seeing really off the wall issues lately that I've never heard of before and I used to be a nurse!

I guess they're figuring there are now too many characters that are alcoholics or suffering from PTSD for that to define their characters so they're trying to come up with 'new and different' to make them stand out.

[Mark]

I agree, Nancy. Something I like to see (and try to do) is comparable to a slow leak in a tire - the angsty, weird, or interesting side of a character should emerge slowly but surely, spread evenly throughout the story. No info dumps or multiple chapters laying it on with a trowel. It ain't always easy, but anything else isn't just eye-rolly (can we agree that's a word?!) but it slows down the story itself.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Mark wrote: "I agree, Nancy. Something I like to see (and try to do) is comparable to a slow leak in a tire - the angsty, weird, or interesting side of a character should emerge slowly but surely, spread evenly..."

I like "eye-rolly." LOL. Good phrase. And you're right. If it's consistent and moderate, it's not so bad, but jeez -- some authors go overboard.

And Sharon, I think that was one of the points the original poster was making.