Into the Fire

We play a dangerous game, we who write novels. Yes, it's fiction so we can play with characters, plots, tempos, melodic prose, staccato words, all of that. And we do. However, some authors dare to take a terrible risk when they make their protagonist – their hero or heroine – unlikable. I would guess that some readers might find that prospect intriguing, but I must admit I do not. 

Instead of doing my typical Monday book review, I decided to discuss this topic because of a novel I read a short time ago which only had one moderately likable character in the entire rather long story and cast of numerous characters. Written by a British author and taking place predominantly in various parts of London and outlying towns, the pre-middle age protagonist was mostly a heavy drinker but had also been an historian, teacher, and a husband. "Had been" being the operative words. He was fired from the school where he taught, but the reader doesn't learn why until two thirds of the way into the story which opens with him staying with/mooching off a friend.

When another friend from his university days approaches him and invites him to meet his employer in Madeira (Portugal) who might be interested in hiring him for his talents as an historian, he accepts the invitation and travels to their destination, a beautiful estate owned by a wealthy older man who has a mystery he wants solved about a dead British man. He gives the dead man's journal to the protagonist to research after offering substantial money to hire him. The historian in the protagonist is fascinated and anxious to pursue the fate of the dead man which leads him back to London and neighboring areas. 

Although at this point the protagonist is hardly likable before his research is all said and done, he becomes even more unlikable – a self-serving often obnoxious man – until after what turns out to be a harrowing discovery, he finds a bit of redemption near the end and at the end of the story. The story elevates the dead man who is faced with multiple betrayals and heartbreak. He's the antithesis of the protagonist while sharing the stage in the plot. It's implicated that the dead man's honor and death give a renewed understanding of a respectable life to the protagonist who concludes the story better off than when it began. 

All that to say, I almost quit the book multiple times because of the multi-characters' lack of integrity and anything of personal value. I guess it was the "heroism" of the dead man who saved the novel. Would I recommend it? No. Which is why I'm not naming names. 

Father, thank you for the art of writing stories. Thank you for the inspiration and gift of writing. Please help me to be the best I can be and to always bring you glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.