I can’t be the only one who has ever come across a book whose interesting concept was overshadowed, mutilated, destroyed, and buried three meters below ground by the female lead. In the YA genre, most of the time there is a female heroine, so I’m going to rant talk about that now.
We generally write them off as Mary Sues. But, since this will be a little more detailed than that, I’m gonna delve deeper into what comprises a Mary Sueish character, and why it is so dang annoying.
So, why do book heroines sometimes suck big time?
The Whiner
Why, oh why must this kind of heroine exist? What did we ever do to these authors? Don’t they pity us? Can’t they see we’re suffering? I die everytime I read a book with a protagonist like this. Nobody understands us! Everything is wrong, wrong, wrong. They think they’re these super special girls that when they break a nail, it’s a cue for the world to end.
The Clinger
Can we get more strong, independent heroines, pretty please? We’re so desperate we’ll go to the publishers and hang out in front their doors, for them to take our demands into consideration next time they publish a book. We’ll watch them sleep, and take care of them. Needy heroines that are nothing without their love interest are pathetic, and not a good example at all for young girls.
The Stupid
This red ‘x’ at the top right corner of the screen looks funny. Hee hee. I’m so brave so, I’ll click on it and handle whatever comes at me, even though my friends are explicitly telling me I shouldn’t.
I’m ready. *brave face*
…
The Plain
Why am I even writing this post? No one’s going to read it. There are plenty of prettier blogs out there. *sigh* Why do I even bother? I mean, people have told me it’s good, and I have some awesome people supporting me, but…
I don’t deserve it. They should support others. Yes, they have other choices. Better choices. I have to do what’s right for them. I’m just poor lonely me.
***
OMG No one is reading my blog. How dare they?!
Note:
Okay, so while this post was of great enjoyment for me to write, I also wrote it because I love books. And I want the YA genre to rise from the underrated world, and show the world its potential. And it has, lots of potential. If only more of them could achieve what they’re supposed to. Take a look at The Lonely Hearts Club, by Elizabeth Eulberg; The Hunger Games, by Suzane Collins, Of Beast and Beauty, by Stacey Jay and the Grisha Trilogy, by Leigh Bardugo. The heroines in these books moved me. They either made me realize things about myself I hadn’t before, or made me wish to be like them.
Can you think of other things heroines do, or an an aspect of their behavior that makes you want to tear your hair out in frustration?
This was a funny post 🙂 I think what makes me cringe the most is the last one, the so-called “Plain”. I’ve red some books where the protagonist doesn’t think she’s “pretty”, and everyone around her thinks she is. It’s the way it’s written that’s annoying – “and a face that’s normally, although others have called pretty…” “I’m just a plain-looking girl, but I guess I could be pretty to some.” What are you trying to make me feel?! Maybe not focus on your looks so much, and stroking your own ego with false modesty?
Jee Ann recently posted this awesome thing…How Do You Balance Your Blog, Work, or Studies?