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wordyshipmate82 t1_j682vtt wrote

Why do we have to like a character to enjoy a book, or to recognize why it matters? Yes, Holden is whiny, he's meant to be, but in terms of being disaffected and thinking everything is phony, most teenagers experience this (though perhaps not at Holden's level) at some point, so his stance is a universal one. This book was written in the 50's, when their were few real ways for teenagers to rebel; they were expected to fit a specific mold, and never question authority, so Holden does not fit in the world in which he lives (again, a feeling many of us, teenagers and not, can relate to).

Catcher is not even close to my favorite book, but there is a certainly a reason it stands the test of time.

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bachennoir t1_j68hqvt wrote

Your first point is one of my biggest gripes when it comes to discussing books with other people. Everyone seems to think that all main characters should be good and likable with minor flaws. Boring. Morally ambiguous characters are my favorite, because when they are well-written, they bring realism and moral questions to the story. Characters can and should be unlikeable sometimes. They should challenge our perspectives or present us with realities that we don't usually see.

I don't have to like Humbert Humbert or anything he says or does to see that Lolita is an exceptionally well written book. The unreliable narrator makes you question the story they're telling you, making you engage with the context clues in the story more.

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wordyshipmate82 t1_j68j8ut wrote

I agree entirely, I love Lolita even though Humbert disgust me because I don't have to relate to the protagonist to enjoy reading. And I think most real humans are morally ambiguous at some point or another, so characters without deep flaws are unrealistic and poor writing.

I agree with everything you said, actually, "challenge our perspectives..." which is exactly the point of good literature, beyond entertainment, it forces us to confront unpleasant realities, and by proxy, ourselves.

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Equivalent_Method509 t1_j6996vs wrote

Yes! It drives me crazy when someone critiques a book by saying the main character isn't likable. For God's sake, most people aren't likable.

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