Books matching: flawed characters
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- #1
'Hope of Earth' in the Geodyssey series by Piers Anthony follows a family of six siblings through the ages, showcasing the progression of both their lives and the human race. Set against a backdrop of historical events and rich settings, the characters embody humanity's strengths and weaknesses, serving as archetypes to illustrate the complexities of human nature. As the story unfolds over five million years, readers are taken on a journey through significant historical periods, including the war between Athens and Sparta, the Maginot Line, and the Great Rift Valley. Through the characters' experiences, the author delivers a message about the consequences of mankind's world-conquering tendencies and the importance of learning from history to mend our ways.
(Also, see 30 recommendations for the series Geodyssey ) - #2
'The Way of Kings' in 'The Stormlight Archive' series by Brandon Sanderson is an epic fantasy novel that introduces readers to a world filled with unique magic systems, intricate world-building, and deep character development. The plot revolves around multiple main characters, each with their own complex storylines that eventually intertwine. The magic system in the book is innovative and tied to gems that capture stormlight, which powers magical armor and various other elements in the world. The writing style is described as engaging, with a mix of slow-paced world-building and action-packed sequences that keep readers hooked throughout the 1000+ pages of the book.
“You’ve killed me. Bastards, you’ve killed me! While the sun is still hot, I die!” —Collected on the fifth day of the week Chach of the month Betab of the year 1171, ten seconds before death. Subject ... - #3
In the world of Bernard de Saint Vallier 'Nardi', the protagonist becomes addicted to a blissful liquid that provides him with a sense of acceptance and escape from reality. When introduced to Hannah, a young woman working for an aristocratic family, Nardi finds himself fascinated by her innocence and strength. The story unfolds as a richly sensual historical romance, delving into the complexities of the characters and their relationships against the backdrop of family dynamics and societal issues.
The book 'Bliss' by Judy Cuevas (Judith Ivory) intricately weaves together elements of romance, humor, and emotional depth, portraying the journey of the tormented hero Nardi and the strong-willed heroine Hannah. Through the author's unique writing style, the characters evolve, revealing layers of complexity and human nature, making the narrative a mesmerizing grown-up fairytale.
- #4
Set during the 1870s in an unnamed English fen city, 'The Dean's Watch' by Elizabeth Goudge tells the story of an old clock maker, Isaac Peabody, who mistakenly places a printed motto in the antique pocket watch of the grim cathedral Dean, Adam Ayscough. The narrative unfolds as Isaac, an atheist tradesman terrified of the cathedral, meets the Dean and various other characters are pulled into the events, including teenage lovers, an elderly parish priest, a three-year-old girl, a brutal fishmonger, and a woman living amongst her townsfolk as an unrecognised saint. The writing style is described as lyrical, evocative, and beautifully written, with a focus on character development, landscape descriptions, and historical flashbacks.
THE candle flame burned behind the glass globe of water, its light flooding over Isaac Peabody’s hands as he sat at work on a high stool before his littered worktable. Now and then he glanced up at it... - #5
The Choirboys by Joseph Wambaugh is a darkly humorous and gritty novel that delves into the lives of a group of hard-drinking cops in Los Angeles during the 1970s. The plot revolves around the cops' unconventional stress relief method - choir practice, which involves booze, drugs, and group sex in a local park. Through interconnected stories, the author establishes a cast of memorable yet flawed characters, exploring their partnerships, investigations, and the inevitable downfall that follows their reckless behavior. The book offers a raw and unapologetic look at cop culture, blending humor, tragedy, and shocking revelations about the realities of policing in a tumultuous era.
The man most deserving of credit for keeping the MacArthur Park killing out of the newspapers before it brought discredit to the Los Angeles Police Department was Commander Hector Moss. It was perhaps... - #6
'Phylogenesis' by Alan Dean Foster is a science fiction novel that delves into the formation of the Commonwealth by the Thranx and Humans. The story follows the unlikely partnership between a Thranx poet named Des and a human criminal named Cheelo Montoya as they navigate through challenges, wilderness, and personal growth. The book explores themes of unity, respect, and the complexities of inter-species relationships, all set against the backdrop of the pivotal moment when Thranx and Humans united to form the Commonwealth.
The narrative of 'Phylogenesis' is filled with dramatic scenes, character growth, and intricate world-building. The writing style of Alan Dean Foster captures the essence of alien thought processes and behaviors, making the characters and their interactions feel authentic and engaging. The plot unfolds through Des' quest to find the right topic for his epic poem, showcasing the struggles and triumphs of individuals from different species coming together for a common goal.
No one saw the attack coming. Probably someone, or several someones, ought to have been blamed. Certainly there was a convulsion of recriminations afterward. But since it is an unarguable fact that it... - #7
'Last Exit to Brooklyn' by Hubert Selby Jr. is a raw and brutally honest portrayal of life in the projects of Brooklyn in the 1950s. The book delves into the sordid side of American culture, depicting poverty, prostitution, alcoholism, drugs, and sexual perversion, painting a stark contrast to the wholesome image often associated with that era. Through a series of interconnected short stories, the novel explores the lives of vile low-life criminals, hookers, drag queens, dealers, and addicts, offering a relentless journey into America's underbelly post-WWII. Selby's writing style is described as raw, crude, and dark, capturing the gritty reality of urban life with searing detail and unfiltered honesty.
The characters in 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' are portrayed as deeply flawed and often despicable, engaging in acts of violence, abuse, and degradation. Selby's narrative weaves together these individual stories, showcasing the struggles and dreams of people living on the margins of society in Brooklyn. The book presents a stream of consciousness account of urban life, with each character's experiences adding layers to the overall depiction of a harsh and unforgiving environment. Despite the grim subject matter, the novel is praised for its powerful storytelling and the unapologetic way in which Selby captures the complexities of human nature in extreme circumstances.
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a... - #8
'Lovers and Gamblers' by Jackie Collins is a captivating novel set in the world of Hollywood drama and adventure. The story follows the lives of characters like Al King, a rockstar with excessive demands, and Dallas, a former hooker turned beauty queen actress. Despite their flaws, the characters are portrayed as honorable and relatable individuals. The plot is filled with unexpected twists, tragic events, and a series of adventures that keep readers engaged and rooting for the protagonists.
- #9
'The North Wind' in the series 'The Four Winds' by author Alexandria Warwick is a fantasy romance novel that follows the story of Wren, a main character who swaps places with her sister to become the sacrificial bride for the Frost King, North Wind. The story unfolds in a world inspired by ancient Greek mythology, where enemies-to-lovers trope plays out between Wren and the Frost King. The book is praised for its slow burn romance, beautiful prose, and the development of complex characters like the Frost King and Wren, who struggle with addiction in a meaningful way.
The plot is described as a blend of 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Hades and Persephone', with elements of self-growth, discovery, enemies-to-lovers trope, and part Fae King. The story delves into the relationship between the main characters, exploring themes of redemption, character growth, and the unfolding of a slow burn romance amidst a world filled with stupid decisions, intricate world-building, and unexpected twists.
It is the palest of grays, yet a red stain clots the eastern horizon—evidence of the rising sun. The stain expands, sopping the clouds and dripping farther westward, puddling in dark splotches among t... - #10
"Confessions of a D-List Supervillain" by Jim Bernheimer follows the story of MechaniCal, a supervillain narrator who finds himself in a world where everyone else is being mind-controlled by mechanical bugs. Despite being a villain, MechaniCal ends up becoming a hero of sorts, getting the girl, and ultimately saving the world. is described as humorous, witty, and offers a fresh take on the superhero genre, with a mix of action, character development, and unique storytelling.
There’ve been dozens of times I’ve wanted to quit the supervillain business, but never like right now! Hell, I was in semi-retirement when everything went to crap, delivering some orders to what few c...