There is nothing better than finding a character that you love the most except for finding a popular character you detest and you can go on and on about it. Of course, some characters can grab your attention either for being morally gray or acting the opposite of what they are expected to based on their nature from the very beginning. But then, some characters are hated by all. Here is a list of the 10 most shady characters from novels of all time.
10 Most Shady Characters from Novels:
Napoleon (Animal Farm – George Orwell)
Animal Farm is Orwell’s best writing which is based on the rising of totalitarianism. Napoleon plays the role of a person who utilizes the revolution of the farm for his benefit, while his former pal named Snowball is somewhat more idealistic.
Edmund Corcoran (The Secret History – Donna Tartt)
It was obvious from the very beginning of this addictive novel by Donna Tartt that someone is going to die. So, Edmund ‘Bunny’ Corcoran plays the most pretentious, boorish, and bigoted character in the book. His mere presence is unendurable and where the entire sextet is unbearable in its way, he managed to take it to another level. This makes him fall in the 10 most shady characters from Novels. Although he is a part of a group that consists of some highly awful people, you would love to hate his character the most.
Tom Buchanan (The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald)
It is impossible to write a Jazz novel without a seriously detestable character. After all, it represents inherited wealth, its uses, and the class system. Although towards the main characters Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan you can feel an impression of pity but Daisy’s spouse Tom is just a creature who loves to rub his old wealth status in everyone’s face.
Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye – J. D. Salinger)
Holden Caulfield created by Salinger is one of those characters that you will either love or hate, with no in-between. The thing his character is so well written that it gets unbearable for authors to fully love or hate him as a protagonist of the novel. Like every teenager, he believes he has it all figured out. He is a figure of post-war depression and his growing loss of faith towards the older generation makes him too bold and rather realistic.
Humbert Humbert (Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov)
It is surprising how a lot of readers look at Humbert Humbert, the manipulative pedophile of the book as a misunderstood anti-hero. Surprising, isn’t it? Well, Humbert is undoubtedly charming as portrayed by Nabokov but it is his predatory behaviors that show the readers his true self. He is not an intellectual, just another abuser who blames the victim for his deed.
Bill Sikes (Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens)
Charles Dickens certainly knew how to bring out hate towards a character – Bill Sikes created by him in Oliver Twist is ruthlessly violent. He is that man in the novel who ‘growled’ out words. He preferred to shut people with his fist, not words, which also includes his lover named Nancy. Later in the story, Sikes will murder her.
Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter Series – J. K. Rowling)
Well, certainly Lord Voldemort was the evilest character in the world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts, but Dolores Umbridge was also without a doubt the most hated. She certainly did not portray the role of a dominant evil like Voldemort, but she played the role of the meanest teacher who thinks anything unconventional or new will destroy every student. Her character is very relatable if you ever had or have a mean teacher in school that is loathed by all. Umbridge managed to get under every reader’s skin. So she is also one of the 10 most shady characters from novels.
Uriah Heep (David Copperfield – Charles Dickens)
Uriah is a law clerk who believes his fake humility compensates for him having a personality; however, it works extraordinarily in concealing his more sinister agendas. He is cruel, manipulative, and malicious in every way and every action.
Mr. _ (The Color Purple – Alice Walker)
The readers are not aware of this ‘Mister’s’ name in the beginning but he is one of the most hated characters in literature. This man cruelly rapes Celie for years, representing the lifetime suppression of Black American women. He is a toxic force that also turns his son Harpo like him, who copy his father’s brutal ways with his wife, Sofia. Later in the story when there is a decline in his finance and health, he starts changing for the better and Celie begins to address him as Albert.
Amy March ( Little Women – Louisa May Alcott)
It has been said that anyone can be categorized as the March Sisters (Jo, Meg, and Amy) created by Louisa May Alcott. But, to be categorized as Amy, uh, it is not a good indication. In the story, Amy did not receive the amount of credit she deserves. From the beginning, her character was portrayed as rather shallow and selfish which is quite the opposite of her sisters.
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