A good 'character story?' could you recommend me one?

[kurupt87]

Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks.

 

[GrimTuesday]

If you haven't already read it I would strongly advise you read George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, the first of which is A Game of Thrones. In my opinion he is the greatest fantasy writer alive, and better than Tolkien as far as technical ability goes. Also the characters he has created are so complex that while you may hate them others will love them, GRRM doesn't write his characters as black and white, only shades of gray.

Not high fantasy in any way, it is much more grounded in reality which is one of the reasons I love the series so much

 

[JWRosser]

American Psycho is one of my favourite books - Bret Easton Ellis being one of my favourite authors.

I'd like anything really as long as its good, but i'd prefer a more character focused story this time. Something like 'the kite runner' by Khaled Hosseini maybe, but a different subject matter.

His other novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, is also a very good book.

Hmm..have you tried Mark Haddon? Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime is fantastic (and set in my home town), and his second book, A Spot of Bother, is also brilliant. Both kind of dramatic fiction with aspects of satire and comedy.

 

[Jaded Scribe]

Although it's epic fantasy, I think you might like David Eddings. His character development is excellent, and he lets the characters drive the story as much as the characters are driven by events. Get Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress, The Belgariad, or The Elenium books.

But, especially with The Belgariad (a 5-book arc), think of it more as one story chopped into 5 parts. You aren't going to see major climaxes in every book, but the story sweeps along at a good pace.

I'd point out that you can get more or less any Eddings series, because they are all exactly the same. Except for the last one, in which he proves to the skeptics that some effort was required for his earlier works, by showing us what happens when he really can't be bothered.

I agree about the Dreamers series. It wasn't his best. I don't think he was being lazy, it came off more as he was experimenting a little bit (all of his stories have an underlying thematic issue he kinda touches on, Belgariad=Destiny, Elenium=Theology, Althalus=Time. Yes, all of these appear in each story, but one has a bit more of a focus). I think The Dreamers tried to focus on Perception, but it just didn't come across as well as he does in the others.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

Watchmen, by Alan Moore. Yeah yeah it's a "comic," if you want a character study, that's probably as good as any you'll find in the medium.

Ripped straight from Wikipedia:

"Alan Moore's intention was to create four or five "radically opposing ways" to perceive the world and to give readers of the story the privilege of determining which one was most morally comprehensible. Moore did not believe in the notion of "cramming regurgitated morals" down the readers' throats and instead sought to show heroes in an ambivalent light. Moore said, "What we wanted to do was show all of these people, warts and all. Show that even the worst of them had something going for them, and even the best of them had their flaws."

Highly enjoyable, if you haven't already read it (or seen the movie, I suppose).

 

[Layz92]

Although it's epic fantasy, I think you might like David Eddings. His character development is excellent, and he lets the characters drive the story as much as the characters are driven by events. Get Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress, The Belgariad, or The Elenium books.

But, especially with The Belgariad (a 5-book arc), think of it more as one story chopped into 5 parts. You aren't going to see major climaxes in every book, but the story sweeps along at a good pace.

You had a problem with The Mallorean?

Anyway I would say the "watch" series by Sergei Lukyanenko. This is the first book. The series gets deeper as it goes along. Possibly one of the best series I have read. I may even get them out from the library now and read them again... also it is in a translated form so you don't need to learn Russian or anything.

 

[Cargin]

Well, American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis is pretty much focused on the one character. A completely psychotic, hideous, and compelling character. Though I give you fair warning; this is the most violent book I've ever read. Especially the violence against women. At some points, I actually had to stop reading the book for a bit to take in what Patrick just did.

I was considering reading that once, it sounds interesting but very unpleasant at the same time lol. Was it worth reading for the ammount of horrible stuff in it?

It is worth reading because it's fantastic. The characters are delightfully repulsive, the writing is brilliant, and Patrick Bateman's descent into further madness is compelling. But if you're bothered by violence, don't get it because you probably won't manage to get through the book. Some of the acts stay with you. I'll tell you one particularly horrible act, without mentioning names, but I'll still leave it in spoilers in case you want all the horror.

Spoiler: It's quite horrific.

Spoiler: Seriously.

He nails a woman to the floor, sprays he face with mace repeatedly, cut's out her tongue, and then fucks her in the mouth a couple of times. Other stuff happens to her over the next few pages. Aren't you glad you read that?

...and thats not even the worst bit, and im not even finished it yet! definitely a book that requires some kind of mental stamina, but so far, utterly genius.

I know. Tell me, has he gotten to the zoo yet? Because for me, that was the most horrifying part of the whole book. If you've read it, you'll know what I'm talking about. I'm not even going to write it down, because it's just too ... shocking to risk spoiling it. Bateman is easily the most monstrous character from any story I've read, and this may have been his most monstrous moment.

Ok, havent got that far yet, but now im very afraid. im at the bit when he goes to view paul owen's apartment. are u saying the zoo bit is worse than the car battery? because that bit actually made me throw up a little bit in my mouth.
Im in total agreement with u tho on Bateman. possibly the only thing that keeps me reading it is to see just how much further he can spiral into insanity (i mean, how can he go much further?!?!)

 

[Vryyk]

Hey escapist, im looking for a new book to read. I'd like anything really as long as its good, but i'd prefer a more character focused story this time. Something like 'the kite runner' by Khaled Hosseini maybe, but a different subject matter. I'm not against fantasy, but i'd prefer if it was at least a bit grounded in the real world.

Having said that though i'm open to pretty much anything, feel free to recommend anything. Maybe just give a brief synopsis of what its about though, so i know why you liked it. Thanks:]

Kaffir Boy was very good, and if you like Kite Runner the overall feel of the two books is very similar. It's basically a story of apartheid. Very dark subject matter, but very well written. I think it's non-fiction.

 

[nolongerhere]

Well, American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis is pretty much focused on the one character. A completely psychotic, hideous, and compelling character. Though I give you fair warning; this is the most violent book I've ever read. Especially the violence against women. At some points, I actually had to stop reading the book for a bit to take in what Patrick just did.

I was considering reading that once, it sounds interesting but very unpleasant at the same time lol. Was it worth reading for the ammount of horrible stuff in it?

It is worth reading because it's fantastic. The characters are delightfully repulsive, the writing is brilliant, and Patrick Bateman's descent into further madness is compelling. But if you're bothered by violence, don't get it because you probably won't manage to get through the book. Some of the acts stay with you. I'll tell you one particularly horrible act, without mentioning names, but I'll still leave it in spoilers in case you want all the horror.

Spoiler: It's quite horrific.

Spoiler: Seriously.

He nails a woman to the floor, sprays he face with mace repeatedly, cut's out her tongue, and then fucks her in the mouth a couple of times. Other stuff happens to her over the next few pages. Aren't you glad you read that?

...and thats not even the worst bit, and im not even finished it yet! definitely a book that requires some kind of mental stamina, but so far, utterly genius.

I know. Tell me, has he gotten to the zoo yet? Because for me, that was the most horrifying part of the whole book. If you've read it, you'll know what I'm talking about. I'm not even going to write it down, because it's just too ... shocking to risk spoiling it. Bateman is easily the most monstrous character from any story I've read, and this may have been his most monstrous moment.

Ok, havent got that far yet, but now im very afraid. im at the bit when he goes to view paul owen's apartment. are u saying the zoo bit is worse than the car battery? because that bit actually made me throw up a little bit in my mouth.
Im in total agreement with u tho on Bateman. possibly the only thing that keeps me reading it is to see just how much further he can spiral into insanity (i mean, how can he go much further?!?!)

The act in itself is not overly horrific, but the thought process behind it is just so ... terrifying. There are more disgusting acts, one involving a hungry rat, but this one disturbed me the most. Maybe you've went past it and it's not bothered you as much, but he only kills one person at a zoo, so it should be noticeable.

 

[Jaded Scribe]

Although it's epic fantasy, I think you might like David Eddings. His character development is excellent, and he lets the characters drive the story as much as the characters are driven by events. Get Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress, The Belgariad, or The Elenium books.

But, especially with The Belgariad (a 5-book arc), think of it more as one story chopped into 5 parts. You aren't going to see major climaxes in every book, but the story sweeps along at a good pace.

You had a problem with The Mallorean?

Not at all! But if the OP is unfamiliar with Eddings, starting with The Mallorean (sequel series to The Belgariad) or The Tamuli (sequel series to The Elenium) wouldn't make much sense.

 

[Daniel Arndt]

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

 

[eggy32]

I hear Journey to the West is a pretty good character story

 

[Gizmo1990]

The dresden files by jim butcher. They are set in present day chicargo and are all told from the point of view of Harry dresden wizerd. Althrough it has alot of magic in it it is very good and has non magic stuff in it to. Lots of action and different bad guys and there are currenly 12 books out with a 13 out in april. these books are easily amoung the best books I have ever read. The first one is called storm front and you can easly pick the first 11 up for £5 and under of amazon. Book 12 will be slitly more expensive but it has only been out a year.

 

[warm slurm]

I think A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby is one of the best "character" stories I've read. It got pretty mixed reviews when it was released, but I think it's awesome. The characters are just fantastic.

Synopsis: The story is written in the first-person narrative from the points of view of the four main characters, Martin, Maureen, Jess and JJ. These four strangers happen to meet on the roof of a high building called Topper's House in London on New Year's Eve, each with the intent of committing suicide. Their plans for death in solitude, however, are ruined when they meet. The novel recounts their misadventures as they decide to come down from the roof alive - however temporarily that may be.

 

[RocksW]

I think A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby is one of the best "character" stories I've read. It got pretty mixed reviews when it was released, but I think it's awesome. The characters are just fantastic.

Synopsis: The story is written in the first-person narrative from the points of view of the four main characters, Martin, Maureen, Jess and JJ. These four strangers happen to meet on the roof of a high building called Topper's House in London on New Year's Eve, each with the intent of committing suicide. Their plans for death in solitude, however, are ruined when they meet. The novel recounts their misadventures as they decide to come down from the roof alive - however temporarily that may be.

Oh I read that! I'd forgotten about it! yeah you're right its brilliant, i might read some more of Nick Hornby actually, theres a good idea :]

 

[BreakfastMan]

House of Leaves is a pretty good one. Much of the story focuses on the slowly degrading sanity of one of the main characters. It is one of my all time favorites.

 

[B33J33]

I'dd suggest the following two:

The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks: It's about a young boy navigating and growing in the assassins? world.

The Dark Tower Saga by Stephen King: A fantastic journey through the multiverse of Stephen King. The main character is a cross-over between a templar/Clint Eastwood.

 

[darth.pixie]

Have you tried "The Picture of Dorian Gray" ? I am quite the fan of Wilde and the book is about an amazing character that plunges into hedonism.