Villains as protagonists? - Page 2

Kirtai · 04-20-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardeegee

Are you familiar with the term antihero?

I think Villain Protagonist might be a better term.

That link has a list of examples, but be warned: tvtropes is a notorious time sink. Expect to spend quite a while on there

Greg Anos · 04-21-2010, 12:07 AM

Could you tolerate a series of shorter stories?

I would then suggest the Raffles series by E.W. Hourning, available here at mobileread... PD in US, life + 50, and life + 70.

jabberwock_11 · 04-21-2010, 12:38 AM

The Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks features main characters who include magically enhanced assassins called "wetboys", prostitutes, and thieves. They're a great set of books and available as a bundle on sony's website.

HarryT · 04-21-2010, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Could you tolerate a series of shorter stories?

I would then suggest the Raffles series by E.W. Hourning, available here at mobileread... PD in US, life + 50, and life + 70.

Yes, indeed; the "Raffles" stories are excellent. Horning was Arthur Conan Doyle's brother-in-law, and Raffles was intentionally created as an "anti-Holmes".

My "Raffles Omnibus", containing all three books of short stories, plus a novel, is available for download here at MR.

Denny_ · 04-21-2010, 01:10 PM

Some excellent suggestions. I'm particularly interested in the Creasey series mentioned as well as Dexter. I can't believe I didn't think of Dexter as the Showtime series is great. I'll also look into the Hank Thompson series.

A couple of you mentioned the Flashman series and I've read other recommendations for this series elsewhere in the forum. It sounded a little corny but maybe it's worth a look.

Thanks for all the recommendations.

Simon Wood · 04-21-2010, 09:39 PM

I think you're describing Lawrence Block's books. He has the BURGLAR WHO... series which is a traditional style mystery where a cat burglar solves a much larger crime. Then there's his HIT MAN series about a thought assassin. Hit Man and Hit List are the best books in the series. Both series are very entertaining.

crash1211 · 05-12-2010, 04:05 PM

The Gap Series by Stephen R. Donldson might be up your ally.

weateallthepies · 05-13-2010, 02:30 AM

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch is worth a read. It's a fantasy tale about a group of conmen known as the 'Gentlemen Bastards', great tale and quite funny in places.

It's the first in a planned series of 7 I think but it stands on it's own.

Simon Wood · 05-13-2010, 09:15 PM

I don't think anyone mention Richard Stark's Parker series. Well worth checking out.

FatDog · 05-14-2010, 12:01 AM

How about "Hannibal" by Thomas Harris. It's the prequel to the other books (Silence of the Lambs) and while the movie Hannibal sucked, the book is outstanding.

Solitaire1 · 05-15-2010, 01:13 AM

If you're interested in manga, one series you could try is Lupin III (Lupin The Third) by Monkey Punch. The lead character, Lupin, is the world's greatest thief who is continually being pursued by Inspector Zenigata. He is also in competition with another thief, Fujiko.

A good introduction to the character is the movie "Castle Of Cagliostro." It's an excellent movie. Although Lupin is a bit toned down from his usual behavior in this movie, it logically fits the story.

If you're interested in U.S. comic books, a character to try is Catwoman. Although most people think of her as a villain, she actually on the line between being a hero and being a villain (although there is now a question of how much of that was her own choice).

KarateMonkey · 05-15-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardeegee

Are you familiar with the term antihero?

You could try the Takeshi Kovacs books by Richard Morgan.

A couple people recommended the Takeshi Kovacs series in a thread I started a while back about anti-heros. I just got around to reading it recently, and boy where they right. Great series. I'm going to have to check out some of his other books.

Bilbo1967 · 05-15-2010, 04:30 PM

I would also recommend the Jack Parlabane character-based books of Christopher Brookmyre ('Quite Ugly One Morning', 'Country of The Blind', 'Boiling a Frog', 'Be My Enemy' and 'Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks').

All excellent IMHO, with 'Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks' being the best.

glowhappy · 05-20-2010, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kilohertz53

Of course, there's Dexter Morgan, ethical serial killer (he only kills other killers), from the series by Jeff Lindsay that starts with Darkly Dreaming Dexter.

Mildly off topic, but this series was made into a Showtime series simply titled "Dexter". I love the tv series and wanted to read the books, but according to Amazon reviews, the books are not up to par, go figure

My apologizes for being off topic

please don't flag me!

glowhappy · 05-20-2010, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitaire1

If you're interested in manga, one series you could try is Lupin III (Lupin The Third) by Monkey Punch. The lead character, Lupin, is the world's greatest thief who is continually being pursued by Inspector Zenigata. He is also in competition with another thief, Fujiko.

A good introduction to the character is the movie "Castle Of Cagliostro." It's an excellent movie. Although Lupin is a bit toned down from his usual behavior in this movie, it logically fits the story.

If you're interested in U.S. comic books, a character to try is Catwoman. Although most people think of her as a villain, she actually on the line between being a hero and being a villain (although there is now a question of how much of that was her own choice).

Another Manga you should look into is Blade of the Immortal, rather gruesome but has great characters and plot.
wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_of_the_immortal

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04-21-2010, 12:07 AM	#17
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,546 Karma: 37057604 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	Could you tolerate a series of shorter stories? I would then suggest the Raffles series by E.W. Hourning, available here at mobileread... PD in US, life + 50, and life + 70.

04-21-2010, 12:38 AM	#18
jabberwock_11 Addict Posts: 231 Karma: 1591305 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Savannah, GA USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Aluratek Libre Pro	The Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks features main characters who include magically enhanced assassins called "wetboys", prostitutes, and thieves. They're a great set of books and available as a bundle on sony's website.

04-21-2010, 01:10 PM	#20
Denny_ Member Posts: 12 Karma: 42 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Kindle	Some excellent suggestions. I'm particularly interested in the Creasey series mentioned as well as Dexter. I can't believe I didn't think of Dexter as the Showtime series is great. I'll also look into the Hank Thompson series. A couple of you mentioned the Flashman series and I've read other recommendations for this series elsewhere in the forum. It sounded a little corny but maybe it's worth a look. Thanks for all the recommendations.

04-21-2010, 09:39 PM	#21
Simon Wood Addict Posts: 237 Karma: 400001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California Device: none	I think you're describing Lawrence Block's books. He has the BURGLAR WHO... series which is a traditional style mystery where a cat burglar solves a much larger crime. Then there's his HIT MAN series about a thought assassin. Hit Man and Hit List are the best books in the series. Both series are very entertaining.

05-12-2010, 04:05 PM	#22
crash1211 Member Posts: 21 Karma: 500 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houma, Louisiana Device: Sony PRS-600, Entourage Edge, Nook Simple Touch, iPad2, Kindle 4	The Gap Series by Stephen R. Donldson might be up your ally.

05-13-2010, 02:30 AM	#23
weateallthepies Lord of the Pies Posts: 256 Karma: 103458 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle Scribe, Kindle Oasis 3, Kobo Sage, Onyx Boox Leaf 2, iPad Pro	The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch is worth a read. It's a fantasy tale about a group of conmen known as the 'Gentlemen Bastards', great tale and quite funny in places. It's the first in a planned series of 7 I think but it stands on it's own.

05-13-2010, 09:15 PM	#24
Simon Wood Addict Posts: 237 Karma: 400001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California Device: none	I don't think anyone mention Richard Stark's Parker series. Well worth checking out.

05-14-2010, 12:01 AM	#25
FatDog Witless protection Agent Posts: 290 Karma: 1002898 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle	How about "Hannibal" by Thomas Harris. It's the prequel to the other books (Silence of the Lambs) and while the movie Hannibal sucked, the book is outstanding.

05-15-2010, 01:13 AM	#26
Solitaire1 Samurai Lizard Posts: 15,014 Karma: 70029956 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: NookColor, Nook Glowlight 4	If you're interested in manga, one series you could try is Lupin III (Lupin The Third) by Monkey Punch. The lead character, Lupin, is the world's greatest thief who is continually being pursued by Inspector Zenigata. He is also in competition with another thief, Fujiko. A good introduction to the character is the movie "Castle Of Cagliostro." It's an excellent movie. Although Lupin is a bit toned down from his usual behavior in this movie, it logically fits the story. If you're interested in U.S. comic books, a character to try is Catwoman. Although most people think of her as a villain, she actually on the line between being a hero and being a villain (although there is now a question of how much of that was her own choice).

05-15-2010, 04:30 PM	#28
Bilbo1967 Not scared! Posts: 13,424 Karma: 81011643 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midlands, UK Device: Kindle Paperwhite 10, Huawei M5 10	I would also recommend the Jack Parlabane character-based books of Christopher Brookmyre ('Quite Ugly One Morning', 'Country of The Blind', 'Boiling a Frog', 'Be My Enemy' and 'Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks'). All excellent IMHO, with 'Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks' being the best.