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Old 12-04-2017, 06:08 AM   #15
latepaul
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Of course I'd like to say that it doesn't matter to me, and in theory that's true. In practice I just checked the books I've read this year on Goodreads:

18 male protagonists
5 female protagonists
4 where the perspective switches between male and female, Or short story collection with mix of m/f protagonists.

I think that's partly genre. I re-read a bunch of 70s SF early this year.

One thing I will say is that occasionally I read what I suppose you'd call "chick-lit". i.e. contemporary set romances with a light, comedic tone. Actually there are a few men who write these, with male protags, but it's interesting to compare the experience with when I read the female-led ones. With these there's often a feeling that I can't quite identify. Sometimes I'll notice a male character that's a bit superficial, sometimes it's the guy the lead is supposed to end up with which is a bit odd. But when that happens I'll smile and think, "this is how women must feel!".

I mention that specifically because it's only really when I read those kinds of books where I notice any difference. Only one of the five this year was like that. Of the others the stories could have been male protagonists if the author had so chosen.
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