Book Club Extra: What Makes A Great Villain?
We thought it might be fun to start a series of bookish discussions related to the books I’ve been reading. Each week we’ll be discussing a topic related to one of the books I have reviewed, sharing our thoughts and asking you for yours!
This week I reviewed Shadow and Bone and this week’s discussion point is: What Makes A Great Villain?
Or download it from here: Book Club Extra 001 – Villains
For me, a good villain is one that makes me feel bad for them even though I know they’re bad. A la Snape.
I was thinking of mentioning Snape when we came up with this list! That is a great choice! I think he was one of the all time best villains because he is so complex and has so many layers to him. Every time I re-read Snapes worst memories and the revelations in the final books my eyes tear up..I wish she would do a prequel just with Snape in it LOL Yes! That is exactly the type of villain I love the most one with depth!!
Snape really was such an interesting character. I loved that Rowling was able to keep us uncertain about his motivations right the way through the series!
I loved listening to this – very interesting points and examples! I’m not sure I have much to add… I also like Tales of Whimsy’s idea that a good villain makes you feel sorry for them. I think a villain that I really find scary would be ones that seems unhinged, fanatical and unpredictable. Although I can only think of Moriarty from the Sherlock BBC series.
Thanks – glad you enjoyed! I think unpredictability is a great trait in a villain too and your example is a great one because you really don’t know how far he’s willing to go. The Joker in Batman is much the same – he will never walk away, making conflict inevitable.
I think, for me, a good villain is one who genuinely thinks he (or she) is acting justifiably… i was going to say “thinks they’re doing the right thing” but that’s never quite true. A good villain feels justified in their actions because they’ve been wronged or because they feel there’s been some cruelty in their life that requires some balance…
I hope that makes sense… it’s 1am… time for bed
I think you an entirely right, I think they have to believe that what they are doing is the right thing for all involved no matter how much harm it might cause all those around them!
Thank you for participating! We love hearing everyone’s thoughts! It would be cool if somehow we all could do audios and compile the answers but that is too complicated LOL
LOL And besides, I hate hearing myself talk on recordings
I think a good villain is one who can convince the hero, even if for just a little bit, that they are right. A nuance to their story that has the hero doubting while the reader shouts in frustration. Those kind of villains annoy the crap out of me, but if I’m trying to think of what makes up a good villain that would be it. Jim Butcher uses this type of psychological villain quite a bit in his Harry Dresden series.
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