I was just curious if anyone can refer me to a story, fiction preferably, that takes the stance from an antagonist's point of view.
I have looked high and low and could only find some short stories, no true novels. I was hoping that those of you out there perhaps have read a story wherein the antagonist is the main character.
Thanks for any help anyone can give me.
Johivin Ryson
Those who watch rarely speak up. Those who speak rarely hear all. But those who listen see all there is.
posted
The problem is, if there's a story from the antagonist's point of view, the reader would start to identify with them, and then they wouldn't really be the antagonist anymore. I get what you mean though, but I can't really think of any books. The only thing that comes immediately to mind is the chapter in Ender's Shadow where it's from the perspective of Achilles in Battle School, but I'm sure there must be other, more entire, books out there. If I think of any, I'll let you know.
posted
(nods) That's exactly my point Peter. Even those who are truly disturbing, do not consider themselves 'evil'. They do things for reasons that are justifiable to themselves.
I'm just curious if anyone knows of any books that speak of the so-called 'justifiable atrocity.'
I personally am attempting to write a piece of fiction on the subject, but I am looking for something to give me some ideas as a basis. It is to be a work wherein you both care for and despise the main character.
On times I have found Ender to be such a character. At least in Ender's Game. Ender commits many acts of malice in his youth but his innocence keeps him from being seen as a 'evil' entity. (Note: This is just my opinion)
Johivin Ryson
Those who watch rarely speak up. Those who speak rarely hear all. But those who listen see all there is.
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You could try the book (I think it was called) The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. It's from the wolfs point of view although if you read it you will no that it wasn't really the wolf's fault...
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"I'm just curious if anyone knows of any books that speak of the so-called 'justifiable atrocity.'"
There are actually quite a few novels like this. If you're into fantasy, try George Martin's Song of Ice and Fire.Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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Ralph Peters wrote a book titled "Red Army" I think...from the Soviet's point of view for WWIII...(at least this is what my memory tells me...)
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I've never finished the book Arslan, but I hear it's a really good character study of a psychotic dictator from an obscure third-world country who takes over the entire world.
It isn't from his point of view, but it does take an intimate perspective on him as the main focus of the book.
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Robin Hobbs' Liveship Traders trilogy spends a fair amount of time in the head of a fairly unplesant character (I'm thinking of Kennit here). One thing I really liked about that series was that way the POV rotated from character to character in such a way that you saw pretty much everyone from everyone else's point of view, repeatedly, throughout the series.
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Arslan. :shudders: Primarily disturbing. I don't think the book ever really gave much in terms of his perspective. It was like watching a beautiful viper. But the moral perspective was never from his POV, which is what I think Johivin is looking for.
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And of course, Cersei is going to be a POV character in A Feast for Crows. I'm pretty curious to see what she looks like from inside her own head.
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In the worthing Saga in one of the stories you get oh my gosh i have forgotten his name , the guy who ends the empire and somec and gets remembered as evil. The whole book isn't his point of view but that story is the only thing I can think of. I think you would have more luck on this endevor if you went with short stories because authors seem to enjoy playing more writing games than in books.
Posts: 832 | Registered: Jan 2005
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I can think of a short story by Michael Marshall Smith in which the narrator is revealed by the end to be a psychotic killer. But I can't recall the name right now... It's in his short story collection, "What You Make It".
I suspect there are a number of short stories with the same idea. It is, as other people have suggested, rather more difficult to maintain over an entire book without including justifications that would be reasonable to all of us non-psychotic non-killer types.
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I appreciate all the help. I'll definately check those out that have been mentioned.
I'm giving my students an assignment to look at a book that has some moral or ethical dilemma and I figured that it would be interesting to have them read from the side that most people don't believe is 'good'.
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