Not a Villain – Just an Unlikable Character!

One thing I’ve been told repeatedly as a writer is to make the main character likable or provide something that makes the reader connect with the character.  I recently reviewed a book in which the main character was unlikable.  The character was so unpleasant I kept wanting to put the book down unfinished but didn’t.  If I was going to review the book I felt I should read the entire thing. 

The main character can be an antihero who appears to have no heroic qualities.  Through events they may rise to the occasion and become a hero.  One recent example I’ve read about is Amir from The Kite Runner.  As a child he does nothing to help his best friend escape some bullies.  As an adult, he risks his life to save his best friend’s child.

Some characters are villains.  Villains provide an antithesis to the hero.  The first two villains that come to mind are Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett.  They had motives for the crimes they committed.  Sweeney Todd had a need to always have money on him.  Most of us can understand monetary insecurity or greed.  Mrs. Lovett wanted to return to the stage and the limelight but required money to travel out of the country.  Most of us can understand the need for money to make a dream come true.  These motives provided insight and made them seem a bit less distasteful.

Have you ever met a character that made you stop reading the book or story?  Do you have any favorite antiheroes or villains?