Do You Need to Like the Main Character in a Novel?

This week’s question is: Do you need to like the main character in a novel?

I don’t. Some of the best fictional characters are selfish, damaged, manipulative, and morally dubious. Definitely not likeable! I do need to be interested in them, though. To understand what drives them. To feel invested in them even when I wouldn’t care to meet them in real life. Dexter Morgan, from Jeff Lindsay’s novels, is a great example. He’s a serial killer, which should make being likeable impossible. Yet Dexter can be funny, observant, charming, and sometimes almost sympathetic. Besides, he’s ridding Miami of other serial killers, so he’s not all bad, right?

Perhaps that’s the real trick. A character doesn’t have to be good or likeable. They just have to be compelling. Otherwise, why continue with the novel?

What about you? Do you need to like the main character, or is being fascinated by them enough?

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