Characters I Like. In Stories I Don’t Love.

ByRissi JC

A new week is here and new month. *gasp* We’re already heading into the fourth month of 2018, and with it, an entirely new set of Top Ten Tuesday memes are here. Let’s look at today’s topic from That Artsy Reader Girl: April 3 Characters I liked That Were In Non-Favorite/Disliked Books. Basically, I’m looking at characters I like in stories I don’t.

This topic is challenging! Not that I mind a good challenge now and again, but let me tell you, it’s been tough finding matches for the topic. Though I know I have read some books I didn’t care for (they simply weren’t my cup of tea), for the life of me, I couldn’t remember much about the characters in said books. Perhaps because I didn’t love the story and so therefore, I “erased” the experience from my reader brain? Or more plausible, I’ve simply read too many books since those non-favorite reads.  

Most of these stories aren’t among those I don’t like or hate, they’re simply stories or a story medium I didn’t like as well as others
in their peer group. Because of the task it was to find these characters, I rule-break and give in to some laziness (yes, I pull three characters from the same book) – a little bit, and split the topic between books and films (or TV shows). So, without further rambles, let’s meet these characters.  

CHARACTERS I LIKE IN STORIES I DON’T LIKE

BOOKS

1: Edith Adelon from The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott | It’s a little bit painful to add this one to the list because I adore this story in its TV film format. Years after I’d seen said film, I finally read the book, and golly, I just didn’t love it. That said, of course, I do like the characters. Goodreads   

2: Katie from Red Girl, Blue Boy by Lauren Baratz-Logsted | It’s really not fair to lump this on a book list of stories I maybe didn’t like because it is cute, but the politics got a little on my nerves (meaning, I felt one party was definitely held up to be the “only” answer aka “good guys”). That said, I did still enjoy the story and found the characters fun! Goodreads

3: Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins | Don’t love this (book) story (like the films better – weird, I know), but who doesn’t love Peeta? Goodreads

4: Primrose Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins | Ditto on above reason. Plus, Primrose is such a sweet character. Goodreads

5: Rue from The Hunger Games | Ditto on reasons above. Who else cries during Ru’s final scene? Goodreads 

Characters I Like. In Stories I Don’t Love. Which characters would be on a list for you? #TopTenTuesday #BookLovers #fromthearchives Share on X

FILMS and TV SHOWS  

1: Clark Kent and Lois Lane from Batman v Superman | Ok, so here’s the thing, I did like this one well enough. But it wasn’t quite up to the lofty expectations I’d made of it in my mind. As a result, in the end, I felt a little lackluster about this film. Perhaps it’s my dislike of superheroes fighting against one another, or maybe it’s my bias against the director’s style, whatever the case, the behind-the-scenes issues didn’t effect my love of these lovebirds.

Characters I Like. In Stories I Don’t Love. Chatting about some of the characters I like in stories I don't like. All text © Rissi JC

2: Demelza Poldark from Poldark (BBC) | UNPOPULAR OPINION alert!! *smile* Yes, I know adding this might get me a few whaat comments, but I’ve sort of lost respect and interest in this series. I admire the beauty of it, and think the cast is amazing, but gosh darn it, I’ve about had it with Ross’ habits. To be fair, I’ve only seen a season and a half while the rest of my rantings are based on spoiler reading, but still… these spoilers seem legit. Tell me, should I give this one another chance? Last I saw of her, I did love Demelza, so… Book on Goodreads

3: Melanie Hamilton from Gone with the Wind | I’ve only seen this film once (it’s not my cup of tea), but I feel like I did really like the character of Melanie. Everyone else is annoying.

4: Peter Lake and Beverley Penn from Winter’s Tale | Sadly, I didn’t love this film. I really wanted to, but it just wasn’t my kind of movie. The imagination of it all is to be commended and the cast is wonderful (plus, the dance scene is gorgeous), but overall, it’s one of those films I probably won’t watch again. Which makes me realize, this one will probably show up on my list next week too.

Characters I Like. In Stories I Don’t Love. Chatting about some of the characters I like in stories I don't like. All text © Rissi JC

5: Reed Richards from Fantastic Four (2016) | Whaat I’m using another super hero film on this list??? I know, this is weird. But again, here’s the thing. I really enjoy the older (silly antics and all) Marvel films that introduce us to the Fantastic Four. But, recently I watched the newer adaptation and while I do enjoy it, it doesn’t really live up to the normal standard Marvel is known for. What did you think of this adaptation?

That’s it for another edition of Top Ten Tuesday. Tell me all about the stories you struggled with, but liked the characters you met in said stories! I’d love to chat about “characters I like in stories I don’t,” and discover if we share some same feelings about certain stories and their characters. As always, feel free to leave your Top Ten Tuesday links or simply introduce your websites and blogs. I’d be glad to come by and visit – it just might take me the entire week to circle around to your bookish havens.  

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About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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38 Comments

  1. Peeta *nods* and yeah Prim and rue as well. Rue was super sad.

    I think I've only seen parts of the Fantastic Four movie (the one with the Silver Surfer in it).

    Reply

    1. So many good The Hunger Games characters. :)

      …I really liked 'Silver Surfer.' It's cheesy because it's an oldie Marvel film, but so entertaining – and that's what I love about it. Well, that and the actors who play Reed and Johnny. :D

      Thanks for visiting, Greg.

      Reply

    1. The Inheritance is lovely. Hope if you see it – or decide to give the story a read, you discover a new favorite. :)

      Thanks for visiting.

      Reply

  3. I also liked the movies better than the HUNGER GAMES books!!! The characters gave off so much more feeling in the movies– the book characters felt so cold and emotionless to me. Also, I LOVE Peeta– TEAM PEETA FOREVER. And Rue :( I cry every single time I watch the first movie during her death. I don't like Prim though. Book Prim and Movie Prim. I think it was when she had to go back and get her cat and all the main characters almost got blown up because of it. Ughhhh.

    Reply

    1. YES! So agree, Michelle. I feel as if the actors turned in wonderful performances in The Hunger Games films. There IS lots more emotion in their portrayals which makes the characters that much easier to like. :)

      Rue… she's such a lovely character, and that final scene? So sad.

      I'd have to watch the films again, but I feel like I do like Movie Prim. But perhaps if I'd re-watch (and re-read), I may feel differently.

      Thanks so much for visiting, Michelle! Always great to chat all things bookish with you.

      Reply

  7. Excluding Catching Fire I prefer the hunger games movies to the books too. Though the last movie doesn't crush my soul like the last book does. I have read it twice and both times I ended up broken laying on the floor in the shower.

    My TTT https://wp.me/p3ftwe-UX

    Reply

    1. Good to know I'm not the only one who does. :) I actually prefer the story feeling a bit more "uplifting" over the books – makes the story more tolerable.

      Appreciate you visiting! Thank you. :)

      Reply

  8. I LOVED Johnny Storm in the new Fantastic Four — Michael B Jordan was <3 I thought Reed started off really well, but something went awry with him towards the end. As I understand it, there were huge problems with the movie, so maybe that's why it just doens't hold up to other Marvl movies? Great idea on the topic though, splitting it between moviesand books!

    Reply

    1. That's my understanding of the new Fantastic Four, too, Verushka. It just didn't do well because viewers didn't much care for the production. I think for me, it just didn't set up very well.

      Appreciate you visiting. :)

      Reply

  10. I'm in the unpopular camp because I absolutely adore Batman v Superman, and I 100% agree with you on Lois and Clark. Their relationship is just the sweetest thing ever, I can't help but squee every time I see them together.

    – louise

    Reply

    1. I do like Batman v Superman, BUT I feel like it's a little overlong, and I don't think Zack Synder was the right visionary for the film. That said, I was impressed with his Justice League, so maybe he finally found the right DC Comics "voice." Like you, I am 100% there for this Lois and Clark. LOVE them together. :)

      Thanks so much for visiting, Louise.

      Reply

    1. Aren't they great? I love them together, despite the controversy that surrounded the casting (I think Amy is several years old than Henry maybe), I love them together. Hope you enjoy Batman v Superman when you see it, Alyce. :)

      Glad you stopped by. :)

      Reply

  13. Well, now I just really want to watch The Hunger Games movies again :) I do love me some Peeta. And Prim. And Rue :'(
    I wasn't a fan of the newest Fantastic Four movie, but I did enjoy Reed as well :)

    Reply

    1. SAME! I feel like Peeta deserved better and Rue… poor Rue. Like you, I'd like to re-watch the movies now. I was really quite impressed with them.

      There's just something about the character of Reed that I really like. :)

      Thanks so much for visiting, Lindsey – as always.

      Reply

  14. Poldark did go downhill after series one – it's a harder watch when you spend half the time wanting to strangle Ross. But I still love Demelza (and the books are great!)

    Reply

    1. I have a feeling I'd want to strangle Ross more than half the time. Eventually I will watch the rest of the series, but for now, I prefer to think of Ross happy with Demelza and at a place when he's still treating her like the woman whom he truly did fall in love with. :)

      Thanks so much for visiting, Catherine.

      Reply

    1. I like Gale just fine, but then there's Peeta. ;) Plus, I really think he deserved SO much better – at least I feel like Katniss is happy with him in the films whereas the books? Yeah, I felt like she was still miserable by story's end. That's a little too depressing after the already dark stories.

      Thanks so much for visiting, Jo. :)

      Reply

  16. I definitely prefer the movie Inheritance . . . and the movie versions of all the characters. Edith was too Elsie Dismoreish for me.

    The writing quality in the Hunger Games, being in Katniss head all the time (first person POV is NOT my fav, to say the least), etc. make the books a bit hard (I opted not to re-read sometime the last year or so, though I still might, I just have a lower tolerance for nonsense now), but Peeta in the books is way better than Peeta in the movie (Finnick too). I think I’m mixed for this series.

    I just checked my list (here), and I have those two examples on my list as well!!! I didn't remember what I had put since I wrote it months ago.

    Reply

    1. I don't remember the book in all its specifics, but do know I was not impressed with The Inheritance in its original form. Much as I love the film, I would like to see ITV or BBC adapt it. I think it'd be marvelous. :)

      OhMyGosh, no! I don't like being in Katniss' head the entire time either. She's WAY too depressive for me. Even in the end, I don't "feel" as if she's happy. I do feel like she's found some peace and can genuinely smile in the movies (I think that's owning to Jennifer Lawrence's portrayal), so that makes the films SO much better in my view. :) That's cool that you like certain things about the books better than the films. Now if only there were something that took the good of both to combine the story, right?! :)

      Thanks so much for visiting, Livia! Always glad to talk with you.

      Reply

    1. Ugh!! Right?? I'm not even all caught up and I'm annoyed with him. Someone needs to slap him. ;)

      Glad you stopped by, Lauren.

      Reply

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