Tuesday, January 15, 2013

A Discussion about Character Redemption

In my opinion, one of the most surprising and amazing feats that an author can accomplish is to completely alter my perception of a character who I've labeled as unredeemable. When an author makes me care for and sympathize with a character that I had previously loathed. 

I'm not talking about the bad boy/girl that you're warned not to trust, but know you're going to fall for anyway, because s/he has a good heart underneath the rough (but attractive) exterior.  I mean a character who has done something that is so unforgivable that you despise them. These are the characters that make you shudder when they come on screen, and if you're honest, you want to see them hurt as much as they've hurt everyone else. 

It is when your sympathy for these characters is at its lowest that the author begins to work her magic. Slowly by degrees, as you get to know these characters better, and they themselves begin to change through the events of the book, you find yourself understanding them a little bit. Then all of a sudden you start to like them. And most shocking of all, sometimes you fall deeply and madly in love with these characters. It's a very disconcerting feeling. 

I think one of the most fascinating and honest parts of a character redemption is the fact that there's no way to excuse their previous behavior. Even if they had a horrible upbringing and "didn't know any better" or it was in their "right" to act that way, they still made the choice to behave that way. No matter how you look at it, it is still awful. And if I go back and read the beginning of their story again, I get angry all over again.  But even though there's no forgetting what they've done, I've watched the people they've hurt forgive them, fall in love with them, trust them, respect them. That to me is the magic of a writer. 

Last year I read four series/books where an author completely changed my mind about a character that I initially had a very negative visceral reaction to. I'm  still amazed. 

NOTE: I tried to keep the descriptions under the titles as vague and spoiler free as possible, so as not to give anything away about the redeemed character. But if you're fearful of spoilers, don't read below the title. 


1) The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta
One of the characters in this book goes from someone with whom no woman should be left alone, to having one of the strongest personal codes of honor that I have ever seen. They are also someone that I would trust to keep me safe at any cost. 



2) The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner 
I feared and despised one of the characters in this book so much that every time they appeared in the book, I started shaking. Thankfully, Eugenides is a better judge of character than I am. 


3) Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me/Unravel Me)
I am still upset at this author for the transformation in this series. But darn it, I can't help but sympathize with the character in question. 



4) Sempre (Forever) by JM Darhower 
One of the themes of this book is whether someone can still be a good person when they do bad things. This question doesn't have an easy answer. But there is a moving scene at the end of this story, when the heroine forgives a person who hurt her. I think everyone could learn something from that girl.


Are you as amazed as I am by unexpected character transformations?

What other books have you read that have completely altered your perception of a character? 


18 comments:

  1. Yes, definitely! I love character redemption and the fact that an author can so thoroughly change your mind about someone. It's all about second chances and that opportunity to change and mold yourself into someone new and better than what circumstances have made you. Great post, Lauren!(:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true, K! A lot of the time I begin sympathizing more with the character in question the more I know about them and what they've been through. But I especially love watching them transform.

      Delete
  2. I LOVE when an author can do this as well, Lauren! I've actually been thinking about this a lot as of late, because right now I'm listening to an audiobook where an author is making a valient attempt at turning me around on the two most unlikable characters in her series. But...it's not entirely successful. Queen's Thief is a perfect example though! As is Marchetta, though I haven't read this series yet (I've heard she does so in some of her contemp as well). Actually, when I went to an event with her this summer they were talking about her ability to do this. She said that she likes to leave little hints about how they're actually decent people somewhere in there (like in Piper's Son it's his e-mail addy). I'm really excited for her to change my mind about Froi, and I don't even hate him yet (but I'm pretty sure I know what he does and that I will). I think Gayle Forman does the same thing with Adam in Where She Went, but I haven't read it yet (I've just read If I Stay, and he's great in that). I love that you posted about this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's really cool that Marchetta actually talked about this concept when you saw her! Even though what he did was awful, I think that Froi is someone that I didn't have as strong a negative feeling about as some of the other characters I mentioned. Maybe because he was never in a position of power? But I certainly never imagined he'd become the person that he does. I cannot wait for you to finish the series!

      I have read WHERE SHE WENT, and I would say Adam's more the broken bad boy type than someone I loathe. You should definitely read the book and then we can discuss it.

      I'm glad that you've also thought about this topic. I'd be interested to find out what series isn't working for you. And if it becomes more successful the farther you go.

      Delete
  3. Oh my gosh, I LOVE this post, Lauren! You know how I feel about that someone you speak of in the Shatter Me series, but really the best example of the bunch, imo, is The Lumatere Chronicles. Absolutely, hands down, the most AMAZING transformation of a character I have EVER read. Never in a million years would I have guessed that that person would turn out to be my favorite character of the entire series. And you know, from the interviews I have read, I don't think Marchetta expected that either! It's as if that person took on a life of his/ her own as she was writing and totally morphed of his/ her own volition. But you know that's just the magic that is Melina Marchetta! Amazing, amazing talent:)

    And now I am even more psyched to read The Queen's Thief books just to see who transforms in that series:)

    Such an awesome post, LOVED reading it, L:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you can push through the first book in The Queen's Thief series, I think you will really love the rest of the series. It just keeps getting better, and book 3 is my favorite. Though book 2 is where it starts getting really good. But the first book The Thief is so foundational and important for everything, although it moves the most slowly.

      And yes. MM is just brilliant at this. Froi just makes my heart FEEL so much. I really need to read the Lumatere Chronicles again soon!

      Delete
  4. What an awesome discussion topic! I'm assuming that comments can contain spoilers, but otherwise SPOILERS AHEAD.

    I think that the Queen's Thief series is the first series that I read where I witness such an incredible redemptive/character development arc. I was only about 12 or so and didn't realize it was possible for an author to do something like that to me. But it was amazing. I was all too willing to trust Eugenides after being with him for nearly two full books, so I guess that I became content with Attolia's characterization a little sooner than you did. But then seeing her relationship with Gen through Costis' eyes in the third book made it even better. Now I just can't help thinking that they're a perfect couple.

    And I know that I'm going to eventually like Froi in the next two Lumatere Chronicles, but I kind of don't want to. I think that's why I've been putting off reading it. Everyone is saying how good the following two books are, and I am curious to read Froi's transformation for myself.

    I think you picked some thought-provoking examples. The only one I can kind of think of is from Sherwood Smith's Crown Duel, but that character was never evil; the protagonist just allowed her prejudices to completely override any other feelings. Also JKR with Snape kinda played with my feelings and prejudices A LOT. And a lot of characters in A Song of Ice and Fire, especially Jaime and Cersei. I am definitely eager to read all those books mentioned and witness the incredible skills these authors possess in transforming our opinions of characters!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Snape is a GREAT example! I also think of him as a prime example of an anti-hero, another type of character I love to read:)

      Delete
    2. I agree completely with what you said about The Queen's Thief series, though yes it did take me longer to warm up that particular match. And you're right, I LOVE them now. I cannot wait for you to read Froi of the Exiles. It's my favorite of the series and he is one of my most beloved heroes now. You will be blown away by him!

      I totally agree about Snape. I am amazed at JKR's ability to keep the reader guessing about him for SEVEN BOOKS. I will have to look up the other ones you mentioned.





      Delete
    3. Also, Amanda - thank you for your incredibly thorough answer! I love discussions, especially when people talk back :).

      Delete
    4. haha if it's a discussion post, then I like discussing. :)

      And I know! I am excited/anxious/a bit of a nervous wreck about reading Froi. But I will. Quintana just needs to be released sooner to give me a reason to read it now!

      I totally decided Snape was good, but did not do so until right before the seventh book. But wow is he a good character that's easy to hate. Makes his redemption in the end all the better though! And yes, Heather, I love anti-heroes as well! So much more interesting than the typical good guy.

      Delete
    5. Quintana comes out in April now, right? I ordered it from Fishpond and it is AMAZING. Just you wait. But Froi is still my favorite book of all.

      Yeah. I did not care for Snape through almost the entire series - even when we were constantly told he was good, but then that end...wow. I was blown away. You're right. He was way more complex and interesting than a typical 'good guy.'

      Delete
  5. OH THIS POST!!!

    The only one that I could read the description for is the Shatter Me books because they are the only ones I've read thus far and I completely and totally agree. And I can't read any of the above commenters' thoughts either for fear of spoilers. SO, I'll just say that These are ALL on my TBR for this year and I have no idea if I'll feel the same way as you or not. Probably the first I'll be reading is Sempre or Finnikin. Doggone it. But I LOVE that you're thinking of this! And YAY for discussion posts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your year is about to become RICHER because of these other books. I can't tell you how AMAZING are The Lumatere Chronicles and The Queen's Thief series!! We will definitely have to talk about these books and this topic when you are finished with them. I am so excited for all the books you get to read and discover this year.

      Delete
  6. Haha, like Asheley, I only read the Shatter Me/Unravel Me description, but I'm now very intrigued about the other two!!!

    I don't have a problem with empathizing..and so it is SO easy for an author to redeem characters in my eyes. Most recently, I read Onyx and totally changed my mind on Daemon, the love interest, who I HATED in the first book!

    Anyway, great post, Lauren!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is a good problem to have, I think Jess! I most often feel the emotions that I'm supposed to feel as well. But some of the character changes above were so vast that I was extremely surprised when I was able to make a transition from loathing to caring for the character. Oh Daemon! He just keeps getting better and better ;).

      Delete
  7. I think I know what you're talking about with Shatter Me - I haven't read Unravel yet, but I'm sure I'll have the same feelings from what I've heard!

    I've not read the other series, but I'm definitely heading to the library to look for them now!!

    -Jac @ For Love and Books

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just you wait, Jac ;). Yes! I would especially recommend the two fantasy series - The Lumatere Chronicles, which starts with Finnikin of the Rock, and Megan Whalen Turner's series, which starts with The Thief, are both excellent. The Thief starts of slowly, but the series gets better with each book!

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...