Is it blasphemous to admit that I like the musical Wicked a lot better than I like the book? It’s not that I dislike the book in any way. It’s just that I lovelovelove the musical with a passion that probably borders on unhealthy. Though really, they don’t have a whole lot to do with each other–the farther the musical gets in plot, the more it deviates from the book.
Anyway, I went to see Wicked a couple nights ago (could you tell?) and it made me think about the sympathy I usually have for evil characters, and the desire to hear the story from their point of view. So Gregory Maguire gets major props for executing this idea (in several novels–not just in Wicked.) Admittedly, part of why I like Elphaba (musical Elphaba–book Elphaba actually does become wicked) is because she’s totally misrepresented. It’s not really her fault. Even if it is (like in the book) I always wonder “what could possibly have to happen to someone to make them that awful?”
Yes, I even have sympathy for Voldemort. Because, really, poor little Tom Riddle, even if he was a sociopath.
I guess you could say I just have a penchant for those people who inhabit the gray between good and evil (not that Voldemort counts, but Elphaba certainly does, and I’d argue that so does Agent Smith, Dexter, Dr. House, and Spike (from Buffy).)
What “character type” do you like best? (Ignoring the fact, of course, that every character is unique. Just generalize with me for a moment 
)
*The title of my blog post is one of the lines in “No Good Deed” by Stephen Schwartz in Wicked. Holy awesome song–check it out.
TOLD you it was awesome!!
Glad you enjoyed it. I have a soft spot for a good, well-rounded villain too. That's why I still like Dorothy. He he he.
hmmmm i wonder if they will show the musical here….sounds like i need to watch it*runs to her yummy search engine google
Since I cannot suceed, Fiyero saving you! *fangirls* I also love to know where villains come from. I like to understand why they're as evil as they are. So I totally agree with you.
Another example I would name here is Sylar from Heroes. LOVED him.
I've never seen the musical — I don't know how, but it's true! I appreciated your comments about it — I suspect I'd feel the same way! I love the 'gray' characters, too — although as I always tell my wife, I love X more in fiction than real life (tragic marriages, sexy bad boys, etc) — in fiction, there's something fun about enjoying those that are less than socially acceptable.
I am sooooo with you! I just went to Wicked last Wed and I loved it!! Didn't care for the book that much though…LOL
Oooo, I agree. I don't have a favorite character-type, but I do love knowing the stories behind the villian, which is the brilliance of Maguire's novels. And in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, it's so fascinating because we get to see why and how Tom Riddle became Voldemort.
That is such a fine line to walk with a sympathetic villan and doesn't work in every case. The TV show HEROES tried to do that with Sylar…and it backfired spectacularly!
Daughter and I went to see it in NYC and then in Philly…it was awesome.And, I too am always intrigued by the villains in fiction/movies etc. (God, on True Blood I was so sad Freaky Franklin got turned to goo. He was sooo fun to watch. And now Russel is going to get good. *pouts*) But, with real people, adults, bad behavior only flies so long, then my sympathy is gone. I was abused as a child and I have never been on drugs, hurt anyone, never stolen anything, etc. I know different people react in different ways, but once you're an adult, you can't let your past justify poor behavior.
I've never seen Wicked, although I know the soundtrack extremely well and would love to see it! I love looking at the 'evil' characters from another point of view. I knew there was a reason why I wrote my novel about Morgan Le Fay (before I'd even heard of The Mists of Avalon). Sure, so it ended up not specifically about Morgan, but I created my own character who went through very similar experiences and basically investigated what could cause a girl to mastermind the death of her half-brother.
I love Wicked. I've never read the book, even though I own it, but the musical is amazing. 'For Good' was also played on my senior band slideshow, and is sung every year at one of my sorority recruitment events (didn't realize this until after I joined).I'd have to say, though, that my favorite character type is the confused one. Like….Draco Malfoy, Jace Wayland, Angel, etc.
I loved the book, but I'm having trouble picturing it as a musical. I've heard wonderful things about the musical, I just find it oddly irritating when people break into song.
I loved Wicked, too, but never read the book. Now I wonder if I should even bother
My husband really likes villians a lot and we always kind of argue over this point. He looooves Voldemort and I'm am pretty convinced he'd be a Slytherin if he could.I'm more drawn to characters who are super moral, though I feel bad for villians and to write about people who are less than moral for some reason 