Post Nine

The post you've waiting for! Yeah, I forgot about it. Oh well, it happens.

The Green Mile is narrated by Paul Edgecombe. He works day and night just to bring home the bacon to his loving wife. He’s honest and fair in his dedicated job of death row prison guard. He’s the hardworking, small town American everyone knows and loves. I can’t find anything about him that’s not to like. He’s awfully optimistic for someone who has to go home smelling like burnt flesh after an execution.

I’ve noticed that a lot narrators and protagonists have a tendency to be more damaged and pessimistic in almost every book that’s not intended for children under the age of nine. But I guess if everyone was perfect it wouldn’t be too interesting. This is especially true when it comes to most works of Stephen King. King is better known for his works in horror but I can’t think of any of his characters who could be considered ‘optimistic’. I might be able to come up with a few but that’s really not important.

So what about this whole likability thing? I don’t know. Likable characters are cool. Scratch that. I like interesting characters. Interesting characters can be unlikable. Characters can be likable and interesting at the same time. The point is interestingness. Is that a word?