Ladies who love Laurell discussion
Richard (Do you hate him or love him)

Seriously. I was so excited for a while in the Harlequin when Richard came into the room and decided to lay on the bed. Here's my theory though. RIchard is inheriting a bunch of ANita's emotions and such and Anita definetly has a habbit for being bi polar, and Richard is totally inheriting that. Be that as it may Richard better get his crap together or someone is gonna need to kick his butt. If he would, I agree with you Cat, they would be amazing. Maybe ANita would have more control over her powers. Oh well I guess we'll never know thanks alot Richard.

Richard... why!!!!!

I did like him at first, but he is so damn frustrating. Why can he not understand that all he is doing is being selfish and hurting the triumverate?! He really needs to get his act together and learning to cope with things.



I think the big problem with Richard is he needs time to process things. Anita and Jean-Claude can push through and deal with the consequences later. Richard can't jump into a situation till he's ready. So every time Richard is ready to compromise and make things work, the situation changes on him and once again, he can't cope.
Let's say I'm still a bit hopelessly optimistic where Richard is concerned.
Jean Claude definetly needs to help Richard a bit with dealing with his arduer. Maybe that will give them a chance to get closer. heehee yeah right Richard will probably just get pissed again.

Can you imagine!!!
Richard at the Circus, feeling lust over JC and wanting to do it, them being him, getting all ashamed and trying to run away... but no! in walks Anita, and makes him face himself and his desires through her first, and then JC...and at last... a working triumverate!!!!
...see how ya feel about that Mommie Dearest!
heehee A working trumverate cat what is that. Jeeze they would be so much more powerful if Richard wasn't such a dummy.

I have to say - I pity the guy but I really don't like him
I used to - at the start of the series he was a really great guy but now....Jerk
I understand that a large amount of his personality shift is due the exchange through the TRI but still - eventually you have to grow up and accept yourself - I'm waiting for Micah, Nathaniel, JC, or Jason to just knock the crap out of him!
I used to - at the start of the series he was a really great guy but now....Jerk
I understand that a large amount of his personality shift is due the exchange through the TRI but still - eventually you have to grow up and accept yourself - I'm waiting for Micah, Nathaniel, JC, or Jason to just knock the crap out of him!







Let's say I'm still a bit hopelessly optimistic where Richard is concerned."
I totally agree with you, mlady_rebecca. This is exactly how I feel about Richard.

okay, i'm living in a dream world..... i think i've been eating too much chocolate...



From the beginning I really didnt care for him much.. I think alot of what had to do with my feelings for him (or lack thereof), was the fact that I wanted Anita to be with Jean Claude from the start. I am just a vampire lover at heart :P
Now, as the books progressed even though I didnt like Richard to start off with I grew to like him.. And then now again just hate him and wish him written out lol.
I agree with the majority of people I have seen and spoken with about his whiney baby attitude and that it really needs to go for her to really keep him in the book. Wishful thinking I suppose!

okay, i'm living in a dream world..... i think i've been eatin..."
I agree, Cat. Richard has helped Anita grow and realize her own short comings. TIme to cut the strings or he needs to reinvent himself.

Frusterating as hell, though, isn't he?





I think I've decided that I am so over Richard. You can only put up with so much from one person. Even though it sucks for him that he got some of Anita's rage you still have to take control and responsibility for yourself at some point. It's time for the little cub to grow up and start acting like a real wolf.





Cindy wrote: "I think I just find him so annoying that I can't see past it. Just when I think he's coming around, something new happens and he has a major wuss relapse. He's been in this world a long time now,..."

Good point Anna. I've always thought Anita and Richard mirror each other on certain issues. It just seems like Anita is becoming more accepting than Richard. Perhaps Richard just needs someone who is loving and understanding and be cradled under her wing for a while. You know...give him time to lick his wounds.
well as im only in #8 Blue Moon, and currently I love Richard. There are moments where you just want to hit him, but not in this book so far. Im kinda relieved its one-lover-centered for a while ;)

LOL. Guess you haven't read any spoilers for the later books yet.

One Micah is great- two would be boring.
Now that Richard has let go of some of his rage, it'll be interesting to see where the character goes. I have hope for Richard. In the end- I vote love him!
mlady_rebecca wrote: "LOL. Guess you haven't read any spoilers for the later books yet.
"
no, I havent and I wont, but I can imagine how it continues very well :P One of my friend keeps telling me things, and thats why I hesitated even to buy this book ;)
"
no, I havent and I wont, but I can imagine how it continues very well :P One of my friend keeps telling me things, and thats why I hesitated even to buy this book ;)

*ring ring* "Hello, Richard? This is Reality calling. I? Am not black and white. I know this is not the way you want me to be, but tough cookies, dude. People you claim to love need you to get your head out yer arse and accept that. Love should trump all, not your middle class, Mid-West, mid-life, rather overly conservative sense of right and wrong.
"Along those lines, you are the only one who chooses your actions. If you do something you don't like, take responsibility, jerk-wad. Quit blaming it on Anita, Jean-Claude, the moon (well, the moon might be an acceptable excuse) your girlfriend, whatever.
"Also, you are neither an angel or a demon; you're human a werewolf. Doing a few bad things does not make you a bad person! Doing a bad thing does not mean you should do only bad things. Again, not black and white. Are we seeing a theme here?
"Quit acting like the orifice on the northbound end of a southbound donkey, or go become a hermit, m'kay?"
Actually, put that way, he reminds me of a couple of guys I dated in college. No wonder I never liked him.

Will he give up his dream of a white picket fence and accept anita for who and what she is or will their relationship truely end. That is my question

All I can say is don't pay too much attention to what other people say about the books. Most people over-emphasize what they like or dislike about the books.
Personally, I think they get better from "Narcissus in Chains" on, but then the idea of Anita being involved with both Jean-Claude and Richard never bothered me.
I love that, as the books progress, Anita finally learns to get out of her own way. I think that's refreshing.
By the way, there is very little sexual content in the 9th book, "Obsidian Butterfly". Anita is out of town without either of her "boyfriends".

I am new to the group and I have been a fan for a while and as to loving or hating Richard... I think he hates who he is enough for us all. He doesn't want to be a werewolf. It seems as time goes on he is fighting it more, using his love for Anita as the target. It's time for him to get over himself and deal with being furry and able to bench press a car... things could be a lot worse.

I think my problem lies not with Richard's attitude, but with the amount of time he's sustained it. The resistance and conflict he's provided was key to the storyline. It even helped Anita to see more clearly the damage she herself caused.
But it reached a boiling point a while ago for me, where now I want him to go on that suggested vacation and come back more enlightened.
How can he possibly remain as Alpha or retain anyone's respect if his behaviour continues for much longer? It just doesn't mesh.
I was so relieved that LKH moved toward resolving at least some of his irrational anger in the last book. Richard's moral righteousness provided a great point of conflict, but it's served its purpose, and eventually, as a LEADER, doesn't he have to realize that his bond with Anita and Jean Claude can only strengthen HIM, too?
Richard was never a stupid man, but he's been ACTING very dumb for far too long. It's time for a serious change-up and I hope that's where LKH is heading. I'll even take gradual progress for the precious snowflake, so long as that progress is concrete. Otherwise, we're caught in a never-ending loop of resentment and failed potential.
Books mentioned in this topic
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty (other topics)Blue Moon (other topics)
Narcissus in Chains (other topics)
I for example have moments of wanting to punch him and yet I can't stop thinking about what Anita's own personality has done to his so I'm gonna say Love. Gasp I know I know.