Fiction Characters That I Hate - Guest Post by Carrie from Books & Movies)

I recently saw a post at The Written World called Fictional Characters That I Hate, and it got me to thinking. There are several characters who caused a gut reaction of pure hate as I read:

Becky Sharp from Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray - I stated in my review that I thought Becky Sharp was pure evil, and that provoked some interesting comments stating that she was a product of her background and that she was misunderstood. I didn't see it that way - there were many points where Becky could have chosen to do the right thing, but she always acted in her own self-interest, no matter who she hurt. In spite of Becky, however, I did like the book.

Cathy and Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - I have no idea why this book is considered such a great romance - Cathy and Heathcliff are completely narcissistic and unloveable. Nothing romantic about this couple.

Edna Pontellier from The Awakening by Kate Chopin - This novel is supposed to be a pre-feminist manifesto, but I simply see it as a tragic story of what happens when someone chooses themself continually - over their spouse, their children, all others. I see Edna's choice at the end as an act of depiscable cowardice, not a feminist statement.

Jack Randall and Laoghaire from the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon - Black Jack Randall is the ultimate villain: his handsome and sensual exterior hide cruelty and sadism. His presence haunts this series, long after his body is dead. Laoghaire may not be pure evil on the same scale as Jack Randall, but she's pretty despicable. From trying to have Claire killed to making Jamie miserable in their marriage, and then extorting money from him long after she needs it - her list of misdeeds is extensive.

Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Her simpering, overt attempts to marry her daughter off result in embarrassment for Lizzie and Jane. I continually wanted to shake her or slap her while reading P&P.

Dr. Cable from the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld - As head of Special Circumstances, Cable is the ultimate example of the ends justifies the means. Her complete willingness to deny people their ability to think and their free will is chilling.

Joyce Barnhardt from the Stephanie Plum mysteries by Janet Evanovich - Any woman who would boff a newly married man - Stephanie's husband, Dickie Orr - on his dining room table is pretty low. You'd think she'd be ashamed enough to avoid Stephanie after that, but, no, she continues to do everything she can to make Stephanie's life miserable. She's a witch with a capital B.

August from Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - August is truly crazy - and, even scarier, completely unpredictable. The fact that he could fly off at any moment and do physical damage to anyone and everyone in his path made him a horrible character - and his treatment of the elephant, Rosie, made me sick to my stomach. The way he met his end was justice at its best.

Those are the characters that inspire an instant feeling of hatred when I think of them. What fictional characters do you hate?

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Many thanks to Carrie for visiting Musings of a Bookish Kitty. Be sure and drop visit Carrie at Books and Movies and Mommy Brain. If you don't already follow her blogs regularly, you should!