Great to see John getting the love. I have some of his books i still need to read, but I had such a bloody blast reading his novel, Hail Santa!
Love what you discuss about stories with nobody "good" to root for. Ketchum's The Lost was so fascinating as a result of this angle. Even the somewhat decent charactors felt like they needed a slap now and again.
Have you seen the Penhuin miniseries? That one had me so back and forth on rooting for and being disgusted with the Pengiun. Absolutely brilliant show.
Very much resonate with not needing to root for or like characters. It's valid, but I've never really understood people who need that. But I particularly like the point you make about writing characters who draw readers into rooting for them before the reader discovers they shouldn't have. Because there definitely are people who write unlikable characters that are as simplistic as the boring likable characters, just inverted, and that's a great way to describe good bad characters.
Also, I'm in MA, so I'll definitely have to check out Dark Summer Book Fest. Hadn't heard of it until now!
Goodfellas always comes to mind. I get caught up in that movie like I'm a apart of the mob, the family, and the reckless shit they do seems, in those two hours, like a fucking good idea. It's like a drug. Then Henry Hill ends up in witness protection, a schlub like everyone else, and there's this almost post-coital release and sense of shame like I was about to actually get involved in a life of crime and, thankfully, dodged that bullet. It's powerful to have a piece of fiction cause you to bend your moral barriers.
Devil's Rejects is the first movie that comes to mind with protagonists that are also terrible people. It's like cheering for a pro wrestling heel.
Great to see John getting the love. I have some of his books i still need to read, but I had such a bloody blast reading his novel, Hail Santa!
Love what you discuss about stories with nobody "good" to root for. Ketchum's The Lost was so fascinating as a result of this angle. Even the somewhat decent charactors felt like they needed a slap now and again.
Have you seen the Penhuin miniseries? That one had me so back and forth on rooting for and being disgusted with the Pengiun. Absolutely brilliant show.
The Lost is Ketchum's best book. I love that one
Looks like I added a new book to the TBR list. Thanks for the recommendation!
When I bought my ticket for Dark Reads it wasn’t on your list of appearances but I was hoping it would be added!
Very much resonate with not needing to root for or like characters. It's valid, but I've never really understood people who need that. But I particularly like the point you make about writing characters who draw readers into rooting for them before the reader discovers they shouldn't have. Because there definitely are people who write unlikable characters that are as simplistic as the boring likable characters, just inverted, and that's a great way to describe good bad characters.
Also, I'm in MA, so I'll definitely have to check out Dark Summer Book Fest. Hadn't heard of it until now!
Goodfellas always comes to mind. I get caught up in that movie like I'm a apart of the mob, the family, and the reckless shit they do seems, in those two hours, like a fucking good idea. It's like a drug. Then Henry Hill ends up in witness protection, a schlub like everyone else, and there's this almost post-coital release and sense of shame like I was about to actually get involved in a life of crime and, thankfully, dodged that bullet. It's powerful to have a piece of fiction cause you to bend your moral barriers.