tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194969924649415384.post853562784136663848..comments2021-07-17T16:38:32.858-07:00Comments on smart, sexy, supernatural fiction: What Makes an Excellent Fantasy Novel? Part 3 of 5: Villains We Can Relate toA. J. Larrieuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880636157146909387noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194969924649415384.post-44513063270491494912011-06-24T12:50:18.342-07:002011-06-24T12:50:18.342-07:00Thanks! And I completely agree about Snape...one ...Thanks! And I completely agree about Snape...one of the best characters in the whole series. He's fascinating. So much of the story hinges on him and his choices, it's almost a story abut him.A. J. Larrieuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13880636157146909387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194969924649415384.post-59579808635519536672011-04-13T12:12:02.804-07:002011-04-13T12:12:02.804-07:00I agree that complexity in a villain is paramount ...I agree that complexity in a villain is paramount to making them memorable. It also makes you want to delve more into what makes them tick. I am enjoying your dissection of the Potter books; Snape's motivations make him so much more interesting, as do Dumbledore's. Neither of them have firm feet in the camps they started in.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01294690302377054533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194969924649415384.post-11220097531090036222011-04-10T21:02:05.088-07:002011-04-10T21:02:05.088-07:00@CF Thanks! Surprise villains are great, especia...@CF Thanks! Surprise villains are great, especially when you can go back and see all the little hints that you didn't pick up on at the time.A. J. Larrieuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13880636157146909387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194969924649415384.post-13108437466665104902011-04-08T13:25:50.513-07:002011-04-08T13:25:50.513-07:00This is a very interesting topic and good discussi...This is a very interesting topic and good discussion. The villain that sticks out to me is one that is so hidden in doing good that their jump to the wrong side surprises everyone (Colonel Miles Quaritch.) <br />Thanks for the topic. I enjoyed reading your work.cflegettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02504986760463110808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194969924649415384.post-55612072398208952992011-03-30T07:06:04.199-07:002011-03-30T07:06:04.199-07:00@ Jaimie: I really like your definition of a vil...@ Jaimie: I really like your definition of a villain. It emphasizes the role of choice, which I think is very important. Plus, giving them good intentions makes them much more nuanced. And YES on Rowling. The more I pick apart her work, the more I think she's a genius. <br /><br />@Lucy: I agree that the pain-for-pain's-sake villains are the freaky. (They're definitely the scariest in real life.) I've never seen Dexter (I know!), but now I'd like to check it out. Also, hot villains are awesome. I recently read an urban fantasy in which the heroine and the villain hook up even after she knows he's the villain (but it's okay, because he's the tortured type). Loved it. [Joining you in shallow corner.]A. J. Larrieuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13880636157146909387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194969924649415384.post-46299986643153382622011-03-30T06:59:17.172-07:002011-03-30T06:59:17.172-07:00@Lucy
Goblin King. Mmm, *hums Dance Magic Dance*
...@Lucy<br /><br />Goblin King. Mmm, *hums Dance Magic Dance*<br /><br />"Pain for pain's sake" made me think of <i>The Silence of the Lambs</i>.Jaimie Teekellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07845537262456320501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194969924649415384.post-84116111609438890782011-03-29T20:14:48.979-07:002011-03-29T20:14:48.979-07:00Ugh, that last long paragraph you wrote, THAT'...Ugh, that last long paragraph you wrote, THAT'S WHY she's so amazing. (Rowling.) The whole hero seeing himself/herself in the villain thing. The <i>Lawrence of Arabia</i> staring-in-horror-at-the-gun moment. It's gold, and she does it with side characters.<br /><br />What makes a good villain, for me, is someone who wants a good thing but will do despicable things to get it.Jaimie Teekellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07845537262456320501noreply@blogger.com