unorthodox protagonist

[SphinxtheLynx]

I'm so sick of reading about the virtuous protagonists. for once i want to read about someone looking for his own gain or the destruction of the world... and stays that way! Every story i come across about a heartless, selfish, and/or cruel protagonists, he eventually meanders over to the side of justice and peace and fights to save the world. kind of like a Grinch Pandemic. >.> The protagonist has almost completed his devious quest and then on the eve of victory gives in or dies. So i beg of you, give me something diabolical and heartless to read!

[Fran]

You are probably looking for fiction but if you really want diabolical protagonists you should look to history .... 'Mao: The Unknown Story' by Jung Chang/Jon Halliday is one book .... truth is often stranger than fiction!

[patrickt]

I think many, perhaps most, people want a protagonist with whom they can identify no matter how improbable that may be. Now, who would want to identify with Che Guevera, Charles Manson, or Jeffrey Dahlmer?

Of course, Hannibal Lecter might qualify as an evil protagonist.

[StephenKingman]

Try Fred and Rose: The West murders, the main 'characters' are a serial-killing, child-abusing, torturing, depraved and inhumane married couple, its set in working class Gloucester amidst the rolling hills and industrial backdrop. Its as English as mushy peas and a nice cup of tea.

And every single word of it is true.....

[TIGERSPRITE]

American Psycho?

[SphinxtheLynx]

Hmmm, I'm looking for somthing a bit more fantastical. And much much farther back. Like before gunpowder or hell i'll take an apocalypto setting. A time period where 'retro' doesn't do it justice.

[Fran]

I once read a biography of Ivan The Terrible .... now there was one thoroughly unpleasant chap!

[smellymonkey]

Try Fred and Rose: The West murders, the main 'characters' are a serial-killing, child-abusing, torturing, depraved and inhumane married couple, its set in working class Gloucester amidst the rolling hills and industrial backdrop. Its as English as mushy peas and a nice cup of tea.

And every single word of it is true.....

Who is the author? Things like that really interest me. Im also looking for a good book about The Moors (Myra Hindley) murders if anyone has any recommendations?

[Tip the Bottle]

James Stark from Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey is a great brooding, who gives a sh*t protagonist.

[StephenKingman]

Try Fred and Rose: The West murders, the main 'characters' are a serial-killing, child-abusing, torturing, depraved and inhumane married couple, its set in working class Gloucester amidst the rolling hills and industrial backdrop. Its as English as mushy peas and a nice cup of tea.

And every single word of it is true.....

Who is the author? Things like that really interest me. Im also looking for a good book about The Moors (Myra Hindley) murders if anyone has any recommendations?

You have come to the right place, i have recently finished reading a book about the life and crimes of Myra Hindley called "One of our own" by Carol Anne Davis, its a very detailed account of everything from her childhood right up to her death in 2002 whilst in prison, its quite detailed though so be warned, for hardcore only, plus there isnt much mention of her partner in crime Ian Brady.

Many good books have been written on the Wests but Fred and Rose by Howard Souness and The Cromwell Street Murders by John Bennett are two of the best.