Do you only want to read about likable characters?

Recently PBS aired a new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma (starring Romola Garai, right), and I was reminded that Austen once described her title character as “a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.” Of course, she underestimated Emma; the misguided matchmaker, despite flaws, charmed many readers over the years.

While Emma can hardly be considered one of the most unlikable characters in fiction, Austen’s statement shows that even in the 19th century authors were concerned about whether or not their audience would find their characters likable.

Writers today sometimes grumble that readers only want to read about likable characters, but I think most readers are more sophisticated than that. It’s true that often readers will complain about characters that they don’t like, but don’t most readers just want to care about the people they read about? I don’t need to like every protagonist, but show me a window into her humanity, show me why I should sympathize with her—or cut her some slack, at least.

Creating sympathetic characters, not likable ones, is key. In her response to a writer’s question about how to handle a main character who’s “an all-out jerk,” Brandi Reissenweber offers some insight into why unpleasant characters can be compelling. And if you’d like more advice on how to write multidimensional characters, be sure to read Tess Collins’ thorough article on the topic, “Villains readers love to hate.” In it, she goes beyond a discussion of good guys and bad guys; she talks about how protagonists and antagonists are not really all that different from each other if you consider their motivations and goals.

Comments

artifexnm wrote re: Do you only want to read about likable characters? on Fri, Feb 26 2010 9:56 AM I agree that sympathetic characters will make for a better story. I find that when I read a book with an unlikable main character I don't finish it. If I feel nothing for him/her, then I don't care about the story. Thank you for "how to write multidimensional characters." pattybcoffmanprague.blogspot.com

Sarah C. Lange wrote re: Do you only want to read about likable characters? on Fri, Feb 26 2010 11:56 AM You're welcome, artifexnm. And thanks for your take on sympathetic characters!