15 Literary Characters Who Are Surprisingly Unlikable Despite Their Fame

Not every character in a story is easy to like, even if they’re central to the plot. Sometimes you find yourself rooting against the main character or feeling frustrated with their decisions.

Understanding why certain literary characters come off as unlikable can change the way you read and appreciate stories. These characters often add complexity and challenge your perspective, making the narrative more interesting.

Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter

If you’ve ever read or watched Harry Potter, you know Dolores Umbridge is hard to like. She’s strict to the point of cruelty and loves making life miserable for others.

You’ll find her obsessed with pointless rules, wasting time with useless tasks. She blocks any kind of freedom, especially for Harry and his friends.

Her fake sweetness masks a sadistic side. You can’t help but feel frustrated by how she abuses power and ignores fairness. That’s why she’s often called one of the most hated characters in Harry Potter read more.

King Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones

If you’ve watched Game of Thrones, you know King Joffrey isn’t a character you’d root for. He’s cruel, arrogant, and downright mean to almost everyone around him.

You’ll often find him using his power just to bully others. His actions make it easy to dislike him quickly.

Even though he’s young, he’s one of the most frustrating characters because he never seems to learn or grow. People love to hate Joffrey for all the horrible things he does in the story. For more on why he’s considered so unlikeable, check out this discussion on Reddit.

Walder Frey from A Song of Ice and Fire

You probably won’t like Walder Frey much if you’re familiar with his story. He’s known for being cruel, greedy, and brutally selfish. His willingness to betray even those who trusted him makes him one of the most disliked characters in the series.

His actions during the Red Wedding are a major reason for the hate. He helped orchestrate the murder of Robb Stark and his followers, breaking sacred oaths and trust. Beyond that, his behavior toward his family and others shows a lack of respect and decency.

If you want to dig deeper into why many find him so detestable, check out this discussion on Reddit about Walder Frey.

Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice

You might find Mr. Collins hard to like. He’s overly formal and obsessed with social status. His constant flattery toward Lady Catherine feels awkward and insincere.

When he proposes to Elizabeth, his speech is long-winded and lacks genuine feeling. You can tell his offer is more about duty than affection. His following marriage to Charlotte Lucas shows how he values convenience over love.

Mr. Collins represents a type of character who tries too hard to fit in and impress others. This can make him pretty grating to read about. You can see why he wouldn’t be anyone’s favorite.

See more about his character in discussions on Goodreads.

Lady Brett Ashley from The Sun Also Rises

When you meet Lady Brett Ashley, you might expect her to be charming and free-spirited. She is, but she also leaves a trail of hurt feelings behind. Her indecisiveness and emotional selfishness confuse and frustrate those around her.

You see her pull people in only to push them away. Brett’s restlessness makes it hard for you to feel sympathy for her struggles. She’s glamorous but often careless with others’ hearts, showing little regard for the consequences of her actions.

Ignatius J. Reilly from A Confederacy of Dunces

If you meet Ignatius J. Reilly, you might find him hard to like. He’s pompous and often insulting, convinced he’s intellectually superior to everyone.

You’ll notice he leans heavily on his mother and complains a lot about the modern world. His stubborn personality creates plenty of awkward, frustrating moments.

Despite all this, his bizarre misadventures are pretty entertaining. Ignatius’s odd behavior makes him memorable, even if he’s not exactly a character you’d want to be friends with. For more on why he’s so unlikable, check out this discussion on Reddit.

Gwendolen Harleth from Daniel Deronda

You might find Gwendolen Harleth pretty frustrating at first. She’s selfish and spoiled, often making choices that hurt others without much thought.

But there’s something about her that makes you see her as more than just a bad person. You get a sense that her unlikability comes from her struggles and insecurities.

As you follow her story, you start to sympathize with her, even if you don’t always agree with her actions. She’s a complex character who isn’t easy to like but feels real in her flaws.

Learn more about Gwendolen Harleth from Daniel Deronda on this detailed review.

Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby

You might expect Gatsby to be likable because of his charm and mystery. But when you look closer, he’s really obsessed with a dream that blinds him to reality.

His parties seem glamorous, but they hide a lot of emptiness and deception. You’ll see that his wealth comes from questionable sources, not the honest kind you might root for.

Gatsby’s fixation on Daisy makes him less relatable, too. Instead of genuine love, it feels like he’s chasing an idea that’s never going to satisfy him or anyone else.

If you want to dive deeper into why Gatsby is complicated and often unlikable, check out this discussion on The Great Gatsby and the Unlikable Character.

Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights

If you’ve read Wuthering Heights, you probably noticed Heathcliff is not your typical hero. He’s often seen as dark, brooding, and pretty harsh. You might find his actions hard to sympathize with because he’s driven by revenge and cruelty more than love.

His complexity can make you uncomfortable. You don’t exactly cheer for him; instead, you might get frustrated by how he manipulates others. He’s definitely one of the most unlikeable characters in classic literature, which some readers find off-putting but also fascinating.

If you want to see why Heathcliff is often described as a deeply unlikeable character, here’s a discussion on his flaws that might interest you.

Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye

If you’ve read The Catcher in the Rye, you know Holden Caulfield can be a tough character to like. He’s often cynical and judgmental, which can make you roll your eyes.

At the same time, you can’t ignore his vulnerability and the way he struggles with growing up. That mix of frustration and pain makes him feel real, even if he’s annoying sometimes.

Some readers find him cold or obnoxious, while others see him as a sympathetic teenager. His personality sparks a lot of debate about whether he’s lovable or just irritating. You can check out more thoughts on Holden Caulfield from readers who feel strongly about him here.

Why Do Authors Create Unlikable Characters?

Unlikable characters aren’t just there to annoy you. They often have specific purposes that shape the story and your experience of it.

These characters usually have flaws that make them interesting to follow. They also bring a layer of realism to the story, making the world feel more believable and complex.

The Role of Flaws in Character Development

Flaws are what make characters stand out. When a character has obvious weaknesses or troubling behaviors, it gives you something to analyze and relate to.

These flaws often push the story forward by creating conflict or tension. You might not like the character, but their imperfections keep the plot from feeling flat or predictable.

By showing characters’ struggles, authors make their journeys feel earned. You get to see growth or consequences tied to those flaws rather than a simple “good versus bad” setup.

Adding Depth and Realism to Stories

Realistic stories don’t have perfect people, so unlikable characters reflect that. When every character is likable, it risks feeling artificial or boring.

Unlikable traits can reveal different sides of human nature, helping the story explore complex themes. They challenge your assumptions and make the world more layered.

These characters can bring tension and unpredictability, which keeps you engaged. Their presence can make the likable characters shine brighter, showing the contrast and making the story richer. For more about this, see what Jane Friedman says about writing unlikeable characters readers will root for.

How Unlikable Characters Affect Readers

Unlikable characters push you to rethink your feelings and expectations. They create tension and discomfort that can make the story more engaging. These characters also keep the plot moving by triggering key events and conflicts.

Challenging Expectations and Emotions

When you come across a character full of flaws or questionable morals, it can mess with your emotions. Instead of feeling warm or rooting for them, you find yourself annoyed or even frustrated. That pushback makes you think more deeply about the story and why the character acts that way.

You learn to separate a character’s traits from the story’s message. Sometimes, the unlikable traits highlight bigger themes or reveal uncomfortable truths. This tension between liking and disliking adds layers to your reading experience.

Driving the Plot Forward

Unlikable characters often stir trouble, forcing other characters into action. Their selfish decisions or harsh behavior can spark conflicts that move the storyline.

For example, they might betray friends, make bad choices, or serve as obstacles. These moments keep things dynamic and unpredictable. If every character was likable, the plot could feel flat and too easy to guess.

In short, an unlikable character can be the engine that powers the story’s ups and downs, pushing everything forward. Check this out on how unlikable characters impact stories for more perspective here.