Top Ten Tuesday #39
Favorite Unlikeable Characters I Can’t Help Love
This week’s prompt is “Favorite ‘Awww’ Moments in Books” and I was going to try doing it. I realized I can’t remember enough details in most of the books I’ve read to come up with anything that fits the prompt. Going rogue seems like the best option. I haven’t been able to participate in the last couple of TTTs so I’m going with one of those topics–“Favorite Unlikeable Characters I Can’t Help Love.” Here are my top characters:
Severus Snape
Harry Potter by JK Rowling
Sebastian Morgenstern
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Cole
Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Dolores Umbridge
Harry Potter by JK Rowling
Annie Wilkes
Misery by Stephen King
Mrs. Danvers
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Eustace Scrubbs
The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
Julian
Wonder: The Julian Chapter by RJ Palacio
Miranda Priestly
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
What about you? Which unlikeable characters made your list? Do we have any in common?
I learned in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) that life is full of dialectics, or two opposing truths. In this case, the two opposing truths are: 1) I don’t agree with JKR’s stance regarding trans people, and 2) I still love Harry Potter.
The author of Harry Potter was so masterful in writing characters who combine elements that lead you to both love and loathe them.
Yes, I completely agree. 😀
I also went rogue this week but I had fun doing this same topic before. I do agree with Snape and I can’t wait to meet Mrs. Danvers when I read Rebecca cos I feel like that’s a name I’ve heard quite a lot! Great list 🙂
I hope you enjoy reading REBECCA. 😀
I haven’t found anything to love about Umbridge. lol. Snape and Eustace were on my list as well. Here’s my TTT: https://bonniereadsandwrites.com/2022/11/15/toptentuesday-my-favorite-moments-in-books/
I only love Umbridge as a horrible antagonist. I don’t love her actions or character. I just think without her, the books wouldn’t have been nearly as good. That’s what I mean by I love to HATE her.
Nice list! I think I might go rogue for this one as well.
Thanks! 😀
Severus is a good pick!
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-aww-moments-in-books/
Yes, Snape’s one of my favorite characters because of how round he is. I’ve always considered him a gray villain because he wouldn’t have helped Dumbledore and, by extension, Harry if he hadn’t been compelled to by Lily’s death.
I always felt a bit sorry for Severus Snape too. I think he had a tough life. I love your twist today, I couldn’t figure out the topic this week either.
I felt sorry that he was seduced by the dark side, if you will. I do think he made his choice. If he had listened to Lily when they were at school. then he could’ve helped in the fight against Voldemort before he was compelled to by her death.
I chose a different topic for the same reason – I can’t remember details (except maybe in one or two books). I have not read any of these, but Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia are on my ever-growing TBR list. 🙂
I hope you enjoy reading Harry Potter and Narnia when you get to them. 😀
I really struggle to like unlikable characters, unless they show redeeming characteristics over the course of a book (or series). I can definitely agree about Snape, but can’t quite get on board with the rest lol.
Here’s my post for this week: http://leahs-books.com/2022/11/15/ttt-warm-and-fuzzy-books/
I get it. I don’t like them. I HATE them, but I love to hate them. Without them, the stories wouldn’t be nearly as good. I don’t think a lot of commenters understood what I was trying to say, lol.
This is a fun alternative! I like this topic even though I skipped it last week. Eustace!!! Dolores and Snape too- even though I’ve only read first book…
Thanks! I’m glad you get what I was trying to say. It seems like many of the commenters didn’t quite understand what I was trying to say.
Dolorous for me only because of Helena’s portrayal in the movies. Nice list!
Yes, she’s fantastic actress. I only love Umbridge as a horrible antagonist. I don’t love her actions or character. I just think without her, the books wouldn’t have been nearly as good. That’s what I mean by including her on this list.
Agree with Severus
Yes, Snape’s one of my favorite characters because of how round he is. I’ve always considered him a gray villain because he wouldn’t have helped Dumbledore and, by extension, Harry if he hadn’t been compelled to by Lily’s death.
Umbridge? Nope. I can kind of see how people may have come to love Snape, though I personally never did, but I don’t think I could find anything redeeming about Umbridge whatsoever. Though I guess I did feel a little sorry for her after the centaur attack in the forest, as that did seem overly cruel.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2022/11/15/top-ten-tuesday-394/
I only love Umbridge as a horrible antagonist. I don’t love her actions or character. I just think without her, the books wouldn’t have been nearly as good. That’s what I mean by including her on this list.
And, as far as Snape is concerned, he’s one of my favorite characters because he’s so round. I felt sorry that he was seduced by the dark side, if you will. I think he made his choice, though. If he had listened to Lily when they were at school. then he could’ve helped in the fight against Voldemort before he was compelled to by her death.
I believe Umbridge is a character many of us love to hate! The reason is that she is the kind of character we have all encountered at some point in our lives.
Pam @ Read! Bake Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/massive-birthday-book-haul-october-2022/
I completely agree. I’m so glad you get what I was trying to say by including her. It seems not many commenters did.
I struggled with this prompt whenever it was and twisted it – and I twisted this week too. Sometimes our brain just come up with something to fit a random theme. These are some great unlikeable characters! Hope you find time to read a good book this week.
Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
Thanks, Terry. I agree. Sometimes, it’s easy to participate in the prompts. Sometimes, it’s not. I’m glad you get my list, though. It seems not many did.
Sebastian Morgenstern. boo hiss LOL And Umbridge. Ack! I did warm to Julian, though (from Wonder) especially after reading his story. And Miranda Priestly was a fun character to hate/admire.
I only included Sebastian and Umbridge because without them, the stories wouldn’t be nearly as a good. I love them as antagonists and what they bring to the stories. I don’t love them, though. I HATE them. I love to hate them.