Books with dislikable characters

[amillionnamechangeslater000]

Ok so weird request, but I have noticed that I tend to quite like books with unlikable and even pretty loathsome characters - think Gone Girl, The Casual Vacancy, and more recently The Recovery of Rose Gold.

So - can anyone recommend any books in this vein (yes I know it’s a bit weird)

Harry Potter: although we’re supposed to feel sorry for him, I often disliked Harry himself, especially when he does the “I’ve got to do this alone” thing.

Agreed, @wanderings. The child is a pup.

I just watched the later films with my son over the past year or so, and what struck me is how hard the director/writers had to work to avoid making Hermione look too much like the heroine -- she's continually screaming and being much weaker and more helpless than she is in the novels where her cool-headed intelligence and forethought saves them from disaster far more often than anything Harry ever does.

@dayswithaY and @amillionnamechangeslater000 I read Inheritance recently and couldn’t find one character to root for, although I did wince at some of the more acerbic descriptions!

David Mitchell has some great despicable characters. I love Hugo Lamb. And hate him.

Sophie Kinsella - shopaholic series

Oh yes that Shopaholic character is vapid and tedious. I have no idea why there are so many books about her.

If you like fantasy Karen Miller's Godspeaker trillogy, especially the first book Emperess.

Yeah - The Slap - what a horrible bunch of fuckers, all of them.

On the recommendations here o read the slap, not sure I’d say I “enjoyed it - but definitely fit the bill! Am now reading my Lovely Wife. Think I will need to read something very soothing after these two!

Revolutionary Road, Richard Yates
Easter Parade, also Yates
The Believers, Zoe Heller
Joy Luck Club sort of fits the bill, I think.

I’ve started reading Mr Todd’s Reckoning on the recommendation above. It is deliciously nasty!

The Visitors by Catherine Burns

Liz Nugent’s books are excellent and the majority of characters are very unlikeable.

Another vote for The Sea, The Sea.

Ginger, You're Barmy by David Lodge has a very satisfyingly dislikable hero.