Thursday, February 28, 2013

Book Girls Don’t Cry: Annoying Characters are Annoying

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Inspired by Book Buzzers, Book Girls Don’t Cry is a weekly feature where we each discuss/vent/advise on the chosen weekly bookish topic. Don’t miss Jenni on Mondays, and Amy on Saturdays:

I CURSE THE DAY YOU WERE BORN!



What is a story without a villain? A love without heartbreak? Light without dark? Every story needs balance, every book needs characters, or situations, that will bring about negative feelings, sympathy, or even hate. This is great in many ways: it brings our emotions to the surface, as well as leading to character growth from this villain they have to defeat. May it be the government, paranormal “monsters”, zombies (can’t leave them out can we? ;), grief, or even the protagonists’ own broken selves; the basis of every story usually commences with a villain of some sort. But what happens when this villain crosses the line from one you love to hate, to one you simply want to kick in the face? Or what if the one you want to maim is not even meant to be the villain at all? Well for me it goes from being an enjoyable read to wanting to use the book as kindling, *sigh* but… I eventually settle on knocking off some stars. Take That!! (And because I cannot be trusted near fire.)

Taken from an anonymous suggestion (Oooh!), our topic this week revolves around annoying characters, and this is where I will list the most irritating SOBs that I have had the pleasure to “meet”.
              Mrs. Umbridge            
Oh my word how many times did I daydream about this woman being hit by a bus, trampled by elephants, or at the very least get a mean paper cut–because those hurt like a mother…
Clearly, I’m not alone when it comes to my overwhelming dislike for this character. I tend to become vindictive when it comes to fictional villains (well, I guess real life ones too >.<), and let me tell you, reading the 5th Harry Potter book caused me deep emotional harm that will never be healed! While I did still give it a full rating–hello it's Harry Potter!–it was my least favorite book of the series solely because of her. What's even worse, what truly gutted me and pissed me the feck off, is after being such a raving bitch in that book, we didn't even get to enjoy her getting what she deserved! GAH! *sobs* Oh the injustice!!
          ___   Molly Bartolucci  ___          
 
Ugh! Did you read this book? I almost DNFed it because of this character. I’m sorry but, she toopud!! This is her answer to everything: (actual quote)
“not knowing what else to do, I reached down and poked it”
*giggles uncontrollably*
 ________Jade… something______     

I did enjoy this book a lot, but this new character, Jade, that’s introduced in this book to put a wedge in the romance really got on my nerves. It was like at every turn she was THERE, like a freaking pest you could not get a break from. Usually I love to hate characters like these, but for some reason this one was a little too annoying for me. I wanted her to go away so I could read in peace! Geez!
____________Parents_____________

 

I’ve noticed some of the time it’s the parents that really get on my nerves–like in these books. Sometimes it’s because of their seemingly uncaring, cold-hearted, parenting, other times it’s the way they refuse to listen or come to ridiculous conclusions that lead to even more ridiculous decisions on their part. My patience wears thin for these types of characters.

Now in this next example, they do it right! Bravo!

__________Nils Bjurman__________

Nils is a rapist and a corrupt lawyer, and one of the greatest villains I’ve read. He’s unforgivably crooked; twisted. I hated his disgusting guts with everything I had in me. And you know what? Sweet sweet freaking revenge! Hells yeah! Oh my god it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read when Lisbeth made him pay. It was… it was magical! *sniff* Lisbeth became one of my most respected and favorite protagonists at that very moment.


My list of annoying characters isn’t very long. I tend to actually enjoy hating villains for the most part. I even had a bit of difficulty finding characters for this post–except for Umbridge–but when they cross that line or we don’t get our well deserved revenge, they must die!! *bull snort*

How about you? I’m sure you’ve daydreamed a character death or two.

Anyone you wish you could bitch slap?

Also, don’t forget to leave suggestions for future topics you’d like to see! 🙂
You know you love me!
Xoxo, Book Girl!

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Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

Latest posts by Giselle (see all)

31 Responses to “Book Girls Don’t Cry: Annoying Characters are Annoying”

  1. Megan K.

    Eh, Umbridge is quite tolerable for me (okay, so I’m quite biased), but YES. Molly Bartolucci from UNDEADLY? Damn, that girl was made of annoying. For the first part of the book she was all right, but after that? Not so much. I haven’t read the other books yet, so I wouldn’t know. If I DO read them, though, I’ll keep my guard up for those pesky characters!

    Great post, Giselle! (Seriously made me laugh :D)

  2. Jenn Renee

    I love to hate villains. Daydreaming about poking them is what makes me giggle. I don’t mind villains being pure evil but when they cross the line into stupid I get a little upset. I had a hard time with Undeadly too. So annoying. I haven’t had the pleasure of other reading the other books but on the note of parents not careing. I just want to slap them and tell them to wake up. I really hope there aren’t too many actual parents out there like this. Great post.

  3. Nick

    Like Jenn above, I love to hate villains! It makes reading so much more fun!
    I’ve heard about the girl from Undeadly. Mostly what you said, that she’s one hell of an annoying character who behaves like a 4 year old. And that quote! LOL! 😛

    Wasn’t Jade the most freaking annoying character ever? All I wanted to do was punch her in the face every time she appeared. It made me enjoy the book so much less too.

    I haven’t read about the other characters, but they sound terrible.

    I thought the mom in Of Poseidon was really annoying too. She behaved like a child with all of her “stomping” and not believing her own daughter. Actually, every single character in that book was annoying. Made me want to rip the book into shreds! Uggh!

    Great post, Giselle! This was very enjoyable.

  4. Mary @ BookSwarm

    Sometimes I love the annoying character — in a purely “I can’t wait until you get yours and feel all my pain” — which I like. Fun to love to hate. But those characters that are truly annoying and don’t add anything (in my opinion) to the story *except* to annoy, I HATE them and wish they would die fiery deaths. Multiple times.

  5. Amy

    Awesome choices!! OMG I totally have the chick from Undeadly in mine. I actually couldn’t remember her name and was too lazy to go find it!! Umbridge makes me stabby. I actually can’t watch that movie because it puts me in a foul mood just because of her. Reading it’s one thing but watching her!!! UGH!! I mentioned a few parents in mine too!! Great list babe!!

  6. Christina

    You’re right. Annoying characters ARE annoying.

    Mrs. Umbridge is annoying, but she’s also a really great villain. Like so fucking creepy. I remember that after I read it, I had that day where you go in and meet your teachers before school starts, and I had one that looked like Umbridge, and I was FREAKED.

    I haven’t read most of the rest of these, or I don’t remember the people in question.

  7. Alexa Y.

    DOLORES UMBRIDGE IS THE MOST ANNOYING CHARACTER EVER. I really wanted to have something awful happen to her from the moment we first meet her in the Harry Potter books. *shakes fist* She’s MAD.

  8. Sirtsu

    I haven’t read any of the other books you mentioned *looks around frantically* but I did freaking hate Ubridge with the purest passion possible. Gosh, that bitch was nasty! I love how she was portrayed in the movie, because she seemed like a person I’d gladly choke if I ever were to do some anger management in the wrong way. I wouldn’t have thought of her, if it wasn’t for you, by the way. I agreed with Jenni, though, Wesley from Duff was one heck of an annoying character. Can’t wait to see what Amy comes up with.

  9. Faith Sullivan

    I agree, it is all about balance and fine tuning the intensity of the different shades of light and dark in a character.

    P.S. Lisbeth is one of my favorites. Great choice.

  10. Kristilyn (Reading In Winter)

    I never think about the annoying characters AFTER reading a book. DURING the reading I’ll rant about them, but I think I try to put them aside and not pay too much attention to them. Umbridge was one of those characters that was SO annoying! I couldn’t believe how much she got on my nerves.

    Great list, Giselle!

  11. Jenea Whittington

    Mrs. Umbridge was one of those characters you wish you just stab with a sharp object. Did I just say that? Anyhoo, she did make one awesome villain. I have Undeadly sitting on the shelf, now I am not so sure about it. I love the quite though! I am going to have to read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and meet this Lisbeth. I do love me some revenge. *evil laugh* Great post.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

  12. Kristin@BloodSweatandBooks

    I completely agree with the Parents in Pretty Amy, well the mother at least. I would probably add Amy to that list as well. I just don’t like her character. Mrs. Umbridge sigh…. I would of liked to finally see her get her just desserts in the final book. Maybe trampled by Hagrid’s brother or maybe falling to her death, stabbed with a sharp pointy object through her butt even. She deserved a truly awful demise.

  13. Amy

    I have to agree with the total anger towards parents in some books… This particular category stands out more so for me right now because I have just finished reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and spent a good portion of that book wanting to slap her self-absorbed, piece of crap Mum!

  14. Alba

    Oh god…
    Ummm
    I haven’t read any of the books whose characters you hated hehehe.
    BUT
    I read a bit of The Breakaway? And Pieces? For the blog tour you were hosting?

    X_____________X

    I don’t know if the main character crossed the line or not… But… Jesus freaking Christ…
    Something was seriously SERIOUSLY wrong in her head.
    I mean, yeap she had this disease of caring for her captors BUT… I think it got to be a little bit TOO much… I don’t really think people with that disease really are as clingy as she was… Or as… WOW

    I passed half the time convincing myself that throwing away my reading device just because of one character was going to cost me TOO much lol.

    But well…
    And then…

    Anyway.
    It takes a lot, A LOT, for me to hate a character as much as this… That makes me want to either stop reading a book or throw it away. Whichever works. While also getting a chance to slap some sense into them.

    <333

  15. Lauren

    Oh yes, I’ve fantasized about many annoying characters meeting a horrible end. Umbridge is DEFINITELY on my list. What a horrible woman! Also I really hated Keith from Bloodlines. He is despicable and awful and I know I was supposed to feel some sort of sympathy for him at the beginning of The Golden Lily, but I was thrilled when bad things came his way. I hope this doesn’t make me vindictive. 🙂

  16. Mel@Thedailyprophecy

    I love Umbridge because she is so awful, if that makes sense.. The fact that Rowling can make me hate a character SO MUCH is awesome. She totally adds something to the book. I didn’t like Molly. I DNFed the book very soon, because we didn’t work out together :p

  17. Megan R

    Sometimes I get driven crazy by a character’s friends. They’re either completely stupid, super selfish or just generally unlikeable. But I then to finish those books, whereas a really annoying MC is a dealbreaker.

  18. Janeal Falor

    Umbridge was so hateably awful that I liked her. I know I’ve read characters that cross over the line from me hating them to being just down right annoying but can’t think of any off the top of my head. Luckily, it doesn’t happen to often. Fun post!

  19. Melissa (Books and Things)

    I saw a meme that had Umbridge and Voldemort and it said: “Admit it, you hated her more than him…” Oh yea, so true! That woman! Grrrrrr….

    I also need to read The Dragon tattoo. I saw part of the foreign film but didn’t get into it. Might try the book. Love it when a bad guy gets it in the end.

  20. Shooting Stars Mag

    I think I’d have a difficult time coming up with people for this list too. Umbridge is horrible, I agree, but I didn’t overly hate her…I feel like all the villians in HP got some kind of “justice” coming to them.

    I do think that parents can be quite annoying in books, though.

  21. Candace

    I really do enjoy hating villains and parents top the list for me. Parents that are just ridiculously horrible parents in some way or another PISS ME OFF and I kind of love feeling so passionate about something in a book. The Girl With the Great Personality was even more fantastic because the mother made me SO angry!

  22. Jesse Burgoyne

    Parents are really the only ones I can think of that usually get on my nerves. Like, really really on my nerves. I usually enjoy reading about villains. I might even enjoy the villains more than the heroes from time to time!

    Jesse @ Pretty In Fiction

  23. Sherre

    I’m with Savannah^. House of night started off awesome, and just began falling down a slippery dark slope. Dont get me wrong, I’ll read all of the rest of the books in the series, mainly because I cant have read as many books in this series without at least finding out what happens. Neferet is a horrible character and some/most days I just want to punch her right in the face one good time. To hell with all the mc’s trying to”rise above” and all that. Just beat her up and move on.

  24. Micheline D

    Ahhh, Umbridge! OMG did I ever hate that bitch! I hated her more than Voldemort…and I didn’t ‘like’ to hate her either – there was only pure loathing. Honestly though, I don’t often ‘enjoy’ hating villains, I just hate them and want them to LOSE! I do wish Umbridge had gotten what was coming to her IN the books…publicly…for all to see!! But I’m sure once Potter and friends made it to the Ministry they made sure she never worked AGAIN!!

    And I haven’t read any of these other books, though I want to read Toxic & The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo! Great discussion Giselle 😀

  25. Wendy Darling

    You are so full of restraint, Giselle, because my list of annoying characters is probably a mile long. To start: everyone in House of night, like Savy says above; Mara Dyer; that chick and the guy she ends up with in Rachel Vincent’s Shifter series…I’ll stop now before I get all cranky pants just thinking about them. But I do have an “annoying characters” shelf, hah.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

  26. Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed

    My all time most annoyed character is that chick from the House of Night books. OMG! If it had to read bullpoopy one more time! I’m ashamed to say I read up until book 5 to see what all the fuss was about. Those are days that I will never get back 🙁
    Parents that don’t believe/understand kids drive me nutso too. Maybe that’s why I love NA books so much. Cause they are on their own in college and don’t have to deal with curfews and parents and rules. This way we don’t get the ‘absent or dead parent’ syndrome that is so popular in YA books.
    Jade…ugh, I freaking hated her but not as much as that Vix Bitch from Clash by Nicole Williams. I swear that character gave me high blood pressure!
    Lexi from the Avoiding series by KA Linde and Abby from Beautiful Disaster also got on my damn nerves.

  27. Melissas Midnight Musings

    One of the most annoying characters I’ve ever read is Anna from The Sweet Trilogy. She cries over Every. Little. Thing. There’s even a quote from her character about how, for once, her eyes stayed dry. Even she knows she cries too much!

  28. M

    books like the Gone series, Darkest power, Vampire academy, Hunger games are great. Not only because of the storyline but also the characters are great. As a kid I liked all kind of books, seriously I really liked all books (except Lord of The Rings, it is a complicated book for a 12 year old kid). Twilight was the first book that worked on my nerves. Since Twilight all books character has been ruined. Few years ago the stories where creative and magnificent, but now it’s always about a girl falling in love with a mysterious guy blah blah blah. Every single book. I just hate it! I know every books has a annoying character, I accept that and it doesn’t bother me, but young adults books are now getting frustrating. I have a very hard time finding good books without annoying heriones.
    My top 5 most hated books are:
    1. Twilight (finished)
    2. Mortal Instrument (didn’t finished it)
    3. Lauren Kate Fallen (didn’t finished it)
    4. House of Night (didn’t finished it)
    5. Evermore (didn’t finished it)
    (there are plenty more books, I also hate book about the future, except Hunger Games)
    As you can see, I haven’t finished any of them, except twilight. I just get headache and want to punch someone while reading these books. Instead of getting furious, I just stop reading