[FicusFan]

I have to disagree. True, one can argue that the characters were written to be unlikable in many respects (although I'd also argue that it is still possible to offer reprehensible yet very human characters - IE. The Sopranos), but they need to be engaging so that the reader can invest themselves emotionally in the story. The reader may not love them, but they should, at the very least, believe in them.

It is not the fault of the writer if the reader has to have likable characters, or an emotional identification with them to enjoy the book.

The Sopranos are not even close. They are choosing to be reprehensible, and are basically normal people with a skewed sense of loyalty and an odd worldview. The characters in Starfish are not. They are mentally and emotionally ill. They are not normal, and probably never have been. In the story, rather than offer them treatment and support, they are used, and their dysfunction is exploited. They are very believable if you have ever had any contact with people who are mentally/emotionally ill and without treatment.

[LordBalthazar]

It is not the fault of the writer if the reader has to have likable characters, or an emotional identification with them to enjoy the book.

The Sopranos are not even close. They are choosing to be reprehensible, and are basically normal people with a skewed sense of loyalty and an odd worldview. The characters in Starfish are not. They are mentally and emotionally ill. They are not normal, and probably never have been. In the story, rather than offer them treatment and support, they are used, and their dysfunction is exploited. They are very believable if you have ever had any contact with people who are mentally/emotionally ill and without treatment.

I agree. The writer does not have to present likable or emotionally identifiable characters. But I would settle for engaging. I can only base my take on what I took away from the book. I felt that even though we were spending time with these people, we were not really getting to know them. As a result, the emotional impact at novel's end didn't resonate as strongly for me.

[Hobbit]

Interesting theme this, which is also in Peter's latest, Blindsight. There the characters are also mentally and emotionally ill (or at the very least, have a skewed world view!), and the author himself in the Afterword admits that the characters are rather unlikeable. But, so far, a fascinating read, which makes my brain hurt... ;) Makes me want to go back to this one afterwards...

Hobbit

[FicusFan]

Watts did the most wonderful, inventive and funny presentation at Readercon last summer. All about the corporate benefits of vampires. :D I can't wait for the book to go into paper.

Funny about characters being engaging, I was totally engaged by Lenie in Starfish, but in the 2nd book she seemed to just be wandering a rather boring landscape. Couldn't connect, and still have to read the last two (really one book split by the publisher).

I am not sure it was really the character that wasn't engaging so much as I was expecting something as cool as the set-up and atmosphere at the bottom of the sea, and the cyber world just didn't work for me.