Rooting for the Bad Guy

Books in which you sympathized with the villain/monster/antagonist. This may or may not be intentional on the author's part.
1

by
4.18 avg rating — 632,776 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2

by
3.90 avg rating — 215,219 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
3

by
4.02 avg rating — 637,622 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
4

by
3.89 avg rating — 1,789,651 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
5

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 757,795 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
6

by
4.02 avg rating — 1,427,980 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
7

by
3.51 avg rating — 672,966 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
8

by
3.80 avg rating — 352,476 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9

by
3.86 avg rating — 559,607 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
10

by
4.11 avg rating — 213,714 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
11

by
3.96 avg rating — 269,842 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
12

by
3.89 avg rating — 999,246 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
13

by
3.82 avg rating — 115,189 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
14

by
4.04 avg rating — 536,342 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
15

by
4.28 avg rating — 1,039,444 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
16

by
4.58 avg rating — 3,588,741 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
17

by
4.25 avg rating — 814,219 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
18

by
4.47 avg rating — 349,794 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
19

by
3.75 avg rating — 105,756 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
20

by
3.97 avg rating — 2,749,778 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
21

by
4.20 avg rating — 771,188 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
22

by
3.95 avg rating — 112,288 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
23

by
4.11 avg rating — 63,501 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
24

by
4.40 avg rating — 456,034 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
25

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 149,998 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
26

by
3.85 avg rating — 179,040 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
27

by
4.11 avg rating — 175,840 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
28

by
3.92 avg rating — 74,834 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
29

by
4.45 avg rating — 2,689,742 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
30

by
4.06 avg rating — 17,568 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
31

by
3.65 avg rating — 30,474 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
32

by
3.90 avg rating — 1,976,201 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
33

by
4.28 avg rating — 406,606 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
34

by
3.92 avg rating — 160,116 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
35

by
4.26 avg rating — 83,804 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
36

by
3.83 avg rating — 647,375 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
37

by
4.39 avg rating — 588,757 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
38

by
4.44 avg rating — 311,071 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
39

by
4.16 avg rating — 969,710 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
40

by
3.84 avg rating — 5,457 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
41

by
3.67 avg rating — 7,171,894 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
42

by
3.69 avg rating — 41,823 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
43

by
4.34 avg rating — 10,307 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
44

by
4.01 avg rating — 4,407,868 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
45

by
4.02 avg rating — 3,339 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
46

by
4.36 avg rating — 237,736 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
47

by
4.07 avg rating — 366,962 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
48

by
4.27 avg rating — 143,638 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
49

by
3.85 avg rating — 24,669 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
50

by
4.30 avg rating — 331,114 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
51

by
4.17 avg rating — 412,902 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
52

by
3.87 avg rating — 926,282 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
53

by
4.48 avg rating — 6,214 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
54

by
3.60 avg rating — 9,557 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
55

by
3.93 avg rating — 2,488,128 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
56

by
3.89 avg rating — 430,236 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
57

by
3.99 avg rating — 821,160 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
58

by
4.09 avg rating — 901,116 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
59

by
4.02 avg rating — 562,236 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
60

by
3.67 avg rating — 14,507 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
61

by
4.06 avg rating — 15,727 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
62

by
4.14 avg rating — 3,382,087 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
63

by
4.05 avg rating — 57,677 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
64

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 13,834 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
65

by
3.79 avg rating — 24,626 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
65

by
3.91 avg rating — 57,560 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
67

by
3.93 avg rating — 40,247 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
68

by
4.23 avg rating — 823,451 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
69

by
4.13 avg rating — 211,737 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
70

by
3.79 avg rating — 41,400 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
71

by
4.21 avg rating — 31,449 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
72

by
4.55 avg rating — 834,814 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
73

by
4.42 avg rating — 1,005,936 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
74

by
4.26 avg rating — 580,812 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
75

by
4.31 avg rating — 1,248,167 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
76

by
4.44 avg rating — 6,040 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
77

by
3.61 avg rating — 2,091,170 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
78

by
4.26 avg rating — 321,989 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
79

by
3.26 avg rating — 111 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
79

by
4.43 avg rating — 145 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
81

by
3.93 avg rating — 6,508 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
82

by
3.54 avg rating — 62,048 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
83

by
4.16 avg rating — 2,276,640 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
84

by
3.68 avg rating — 93,873 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
85

by
3.99 avg rating — 14,059 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
86

by
4.17 avg rating — 38,507 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
87

by
3.70 avg rating — 3,138,994 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
88

by
4.01 avg rating — 294,699 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
89

by
3.95 avg rating — 85,108 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
90

by
4.03 avg rating — 1,338,022 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
91

by
4.24 avg rating — 3,083,864 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
92

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1,010,852 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
93

by
3.93 avg rating — 23,214 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
94

by
3.92 avg rating — 290,992 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
95

by
3.91 avg rating — 233,923 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
96

by
3.80 avg rating — 3,825,829 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
97

by
3.74 avg rating — 49,821 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
98

by
3.88 avg rating — 1,262,894 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
99

by
4.06 avg rating — 372,841 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
100

by
4.03 avg rating — 108,770 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
682 books · 1,468 voters · list created August 21st, 2008 by Sarah (votes) .
239 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


Sarah 2807 books
256 friends
Tara 861 books
284 friends
Greyweather 2660 books
65 friends
Antoine 949 books
177 friends
Holly 530 books
109 friends
Jane 2918 books
34 friends
Alyssa 3288 books
9 friends
Linda 495 books
81 friends

More voters…


Comments Showing 1-30 of 30 (30 new)

dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Angel (new)

Angel Jenkins the bible? really!


message 3: by Rachelle (new)

Rachelle Hinkley Lmfao Bill Clinton. Haha the bible.


message 4: by caitlin (new)

caitlin wrege Twilight?


message 5: by Gayan (new)

Gayan Rachelle wrote: "Lmfao Bill Clinton. Haha the bible."

Both of those made me laugh.


message 6: by Larry (last edited Oct 19, 2010 02:48AM) (new)

Larry Are we Voting correctly?? I have recanted my votes for Dexter, Locke Lamora, Parker and John Dortmunder.
True Dexter is not a nice person, but in the books he is written as the good guy, there are even worse characters that are the Villeins.
There are well written Villeins I empathies with. Jim Butcher's "Gentleman" Johnny Marcone comes to mind. As well Kim Harrison's Al and Trent.
I think I will give this more thought before I vote.


message 7: by Megan (new)

Megan Pearson The bible? Bill Clinton? Harry Potter?

Who made this list cause they are morons.... A "bad guy" is not just someone that some people in the book hate (ie Harry Potter I guess) they are legitimate bad guys (ie American Psycho)

Also how the hell does the Bible belong on anyway shape or form? Not to mention the many others....


message 8: by Sarah (new)

Sarah Megan wrote: "The bible? Bill Clinton? Harry Potter?

Who made this list cause they are morons.... A "bad guy" is not just someone that some people in the book hate (ie Harry Potter I guess) they are legitima..."


I started the list, Megan, but no one person "made this list." You add the books you think you belong, and other people do the same. I agree with you that none of those you mentioned belong on the list, but it's a group effort. If you feel strongly about it, you can get your friends to vote other stuff higher up the list until those fall even lower.


message 9: by Blaise (new)

Blaise The Bible, cheering Satan. Bill Clinton...well there are some people who root for Ken Starre I guess. And Harry Potter, oh come on. You know some people root for Malfoy. It's called Rooting for the Bad Guy, meaning you want the "Bad Guy" to win. Not meaning that Harry Potter is a "bad guy". And Twilight, I am confused too. Do they mean Jacob, Victoria, Laurant, or James? I could be down with any of them.


message 10: by [deleted user] (new)

New Moon of the Twilight series would be my #1 where I was totally hoping the villain would prevail...anything to make the whining STOP!


message 11: by Sarah (new)

Sarah Amelia wrote: "New Moon of the Twilight series would be my #1 where I was totally hoping the villain would prevail...anything to make the whining STOP!"
Ha!


message 12: by Emily (new)

Emily I'm loving how the King James Bible is included on this list.
Bravo, good sir.


message 13: by Karilis (new)

Karilis *Caitlinn!* wrote: "Twilight?"

Well Vampires are evil and bad lol


message 14: by Karilis (new)

Karilis I love how Something Borrowed is on this list. Rachel is the bad friend stealing her bff's fiance! but you root for her cuz she is good, if that makes any sense! lol


message 15: by Kill the Spare (new)

Kill the Spare Umm, how is Eldest on this list?


message 16: by [deleted user] (new)

Seriously? Who on the "bad guy" list in Eldest would be worth rooting for? Or, maybe they just hated the book and wanted Eragon to die?


message 17: by Joseph (new)

Joseph Marshall The bible should never be on any lists on this site. i labeled it under scifi/fantasy/horror. jesus was the original zombie


message 19: by Jackie (new)

Jackie caitlin wrote: "Twilight?"

yes, we wanted James to win, so she would be dead. Looking back on that book, I really don't understand why I liked it so much. I almost hate it now.

Unless their counting Edward as the bad guy because he's a vampire, I could see why they would be rooting for him.


message 20: by CS (last edited May 23, 2013 11:38PM) (new)

CS Jones People where rooting for Patrick Bateman? I liked that book, but... What the entire fuck?


message 21: by [deleted user] (new)

What about Medea? would that be the bad girl?Medea


message 22: by Replicant Rachel (new)

Replicant Rachel interesting list,i can't believe only now i came across it...


message 23: by Christine (new)

Christine The Phantom of the Opera should be #1. What is number 1 anyway?


message 24: by Kandice (new)

Kandice I think the "bad guy" they are referring to in Harry Potter is Snape.


message 25: by Kandice (new)

Kandice Dexter is a good guy by morality's standards, but a bad guy according to the law. Personally, I love, love, love Dexter!


message 26: by ~☆~Autumn (new)

~☆~Autumn Kandice wrote: "I think the "bad guy" they are referring to in Harry Potter is Snape."

Yes, I agree! But who is the bad guy in Holes? I thought she was the bad woman.


message 27: by Roisin (new)

Roisin What kind of twisted person roots for the bad guy in Lolita? How can anyone be cool with pedophilia?


message 28: by Keith (new)

Keith This is a tricky list to vote for because there are multiple possible reasons to vote:

-Sympathizing with an antagonist or villain protagonist, or simply viewing them as cool/awesome, without viewing them as in the right
-Enjoying a book with a significant degree of moral ambiguity where the line between hero and villain is blurred
-Viewing the antagonist or villain protagonist of a book as the real hero
-Rooting for the villain of a badly written book because the protagonists are unsympathetic

I don't think it should be assumed that people are sick in the head because they voted for stuff like Lolita or The Killing Joke.


message 29: by Michael (new)

Michael Davis Joseph wrote: "The bible should never be on any lists on this site. i labeled it under scifi/fantasy/horror. jesus was the original zombie"

Did you read the book or just the blurb? Jesus certainly wasn't the first to return from death...


message 30: by Jeffrey (new)

Jeffrey Gao The System(The Turner Diaries) are the true heroes of the story and don’t allow anyone to say otherwise.


back to top



Related News

Freedom looks a lot like slavery to Coleman and his sister, June.   Though the Civil War has ended, the brother and sister are still living...

Anyone can add books to this list.