Likability or Un-likability in Book Characters​

A Truly Likable Guy

Not long ago I was criticized for citing the un-likability of a protagonist for my lukewarm reception to a book featuring that character.   Apparently if you don't find a character likable then you, yourself are flawed and most likely unlikable.  As I am widely regarded as highly likable (in my own mind but where else is it so important to be liked?), I disagree with the assertion that we must all like or dislike alike, to be capable of offering an opinion on a book.   Face it, reviews are opinions.  I have tried over the years to characterize my "reviews" as recommendations rather than reviews.  If in my opinion a book ranks high against other books I have read,  I tend to rate it with a five star rank.   Since I am not certified or accredited by any pseudo-scientific organization  to write book reviews then there should be an immediate assumption that I am posting an opinion. 

It should be noted that likability is very subjective, I liked Darth Vader for his spooky evilness.  I liked Thomas Covenant,  Stephen R. Donaldson's character for his desperately flawed self esteem.  I liked David Feintuch's Seafort due to his despairingly depressing self loathing.   Character likability may be due to despicable behavior rather than laudable acts.  So, in my opinion, it is perfectly fine to like or dislike a character and since the characters in a book either drive the plot or are driven by the plot, it is not unrealistic to dislike or like a book depending on the likability of the characters.

BTW I do find it highly unrealistic that expressing a like or dislike of a fictional character represents the personal likability of the reviewer.     You may like or dislike that point of view to your heart's content.

How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon.com - Book One and Two: Get More Sales - Get More Reviews! by by Penny C. Sansevieri

This is a step away from my normal reading.  I am a committed fiction reader and this is anything but fiction.  This is a must read book/books for anyone who is self publishing.  Ms. Sansevieri runs a book marketing company and shares very valuable tips for the independent author.

I had a hard time reading the book due to the need to stop and take notes on so many pages.  It is hard to keep a reading flowing when you are writing.  I found myself going to KDP or Amazon Central and immediately implementing some of Ms. Sansvieri's advice. 

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.


Web Site: http://www.amarketingexpert.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Guilty One by Sophie Littlefield

An in-depth self evaluation or self absorption might characterize this book.   The main characters search their souls for their foibles, clutch at them, wallow in them and try to expunge them. 

The premise is a look at two families bound together by the murder of one daughter by one son.  The pain is palatable and nearly unbearable if you have any empathy whatsoever.  The author depicts anguish and despair with great intensity.

The mystery of the murder is secondary to the anguish of the families.  Parenting is examined and found failing with merely a glimmer of future hope. 

A thought provoking book.



Web Site: http://sophielittlefield.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

New Greg Smith Novel: Darwin's Pause

I have enjoyed every J. Gregory Smith book I have read and I think I have read them all. I can't wait to read this one.  

Check it out today at Amazon. 

Order Today at Amazon

Young, rich and beyond the law. What’s the catch? Former war photographer Fin Campbell means to find out. He never believed his old college friend’s elaborate stories to explain a pair of pristine civilizations living side by side on the isolated Polynesian island of Hoku. The entire island is designated a World Heritage Site and kept off limits by the French Navy. When Fin receives a once in a lifetime opportunity to join his Hokutian friend to witness a private ceremony never seen by outsiders, he jumps at the chance. Soon he becomes more than a mere observer and finds himself in a fight for his life and the survival of all Hoku.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Under a Tell-Tale Sky: Disruption Book 1 by R. E. McDermott

Redundancy is a fact of my life.  I am prefacing this review with a previous preface. I am lucky enough to be an advanced reader for Bob.  This simply means I got the book before it was published and devoured it with rapidity.   I read the book, I received no compensation for writing it and I am giving it 5 STARS because it deserves it.   Feel free to check my other reviews and you will note that I “calls them as I sees them”, which means the star ratings are all over the place.  So, in conclusion, this is a darn fine book and if you enjoy action and adventure, you should really buy it. 
First off this is a scary book.  Not "what goes bump in the night" scary but plausible scary.  I recently read One Second After by William R. Forstchen and it detailed what occurred after a nuclear bomb generated nation wide EMP.  McDermott provides a post-apocalyptic tale after some major solar flares.

McDermott's books provide a strong plot with excellent character development.  I was chided by an author for my penchant for likable characters.  I would defend that in that Darth Vader was a very likable villain.   Likability provides incentive to continue to see what happens to that character.  Bob provides very likable characters and in this book, those characters are dealing with some pretty despicable things.

This is the first in the series and it makes that clear in the title.  If you are looking for closure, then buy the entire series.   I enjoyed the book and would suggest to the author to get moving on the sequel.  

I highly recommend it.

Body of  work of <a type="amzn" > R. E. McDermott </a>

Web Site: http://www.remcdermott.com/

 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.