Falling in love with fictional book characters is all the rage right now on social media and among bibliophiles. And, sure, there are multiple examples of characters that are, what we call in today’s times, green flags or even a whole forest! They are so lovable that you wish they were your best friends or partners for real.
And then come the most hated book characters, so devilish and obnoxious that you loathe them. You never knew you could hate a fictional character with so much passion! In this article, we talk about why we love to hate them and list 15 of the most hated fictional characters in books.
Why We Love To Hate Certain Characters
Before we discuss why we love to hate certain fictional book characters, let’s see what the difference is between a villain and a hated character. A villain is the antagonist or the “bad guy” in the story, while a hated character does not necessarily have to be evil. It could be anyone—a backstabbing friend, an interfering aunt, a spoiled brat (think Joffrey Baratheon from A Song of Ice and Fire), or a snobbish sibling (think Caroline Bingley from Pride and Prejudice).
But are hated characters poorly written? Not at all. In fact, the reason you hate them so much is probably because their character traits are so well-sketched out that you can’t help but despise them. A well-written hateful character is complex, with clear motives and believable flaws. They make us think, challenge our morals, and force us to see the world from a different perspective. On the other hand, a poorly written character is just boring, annoying, and makes you want to give up reading the book.
So, can you hate a character and still love the book? Absolutely. The most hated fictional characters in books are often the ones we remember the most because their presence adds spice, drama, and tension to the story. They bring the story to life and make it even better, making it impossible for you to put the book down. They make you grit your teeth, roll your eyes, and burn with rage. They challenge the protagonist and push the plot forward.
We love to hate certain characters because some stories wouldn’t be half as interesting and gripping without that one person who makes your blood boil. Without them, the story might turn boring and fall flat. A hated literary character gives you someone to detest, debate, and remember long after the final page.
15 Most Hated Characters In Literature (Ranked & Analyzed)
There are some fictional characters that are so cruel, grotesque, and morally twisted that you can’t help but loathe them. They manage to crawl under your skin, making you curse, yell, and wish for their downfall.
The greatest, most well-written books (no Twilight and Fifty Shades of whatever, thanks!) tend to have that impact—you hate the downright evil characters, but they keep you hooked because they leave a lasting impression and make the stories unforgettable.
So, let’s take a look at 15 of the most hated book characters, ranked and analyzed.
1. Patrick Bateman – American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
Patrick Bateman is the poster boy for everything that is wrong with consumer culture. By day, he is a Wall Street investment banker obsessed with designer suits, business cards, and an extensive skincare routine. However, by night, Bateman turns into a deranged serial killer with a liking for the most violent, heinous, and gruesome crimes imaginable—rape, murder, necrophilia, drugs, addiction to sex, torture, mutilation, cannibalism; the list goes on.
What makes Bateman so despicable is his emptiness, coldness, narcissism, and lack of empathy. He is all surface and no soul, treats people like accessories, and is detached from reality. He is an angry man with a sadistic and vicious desire to carry out his most gruesome and twisted fantasies on those who, according to him, hold no value, like sex workers and the homeless.
His character will leave you feeling disgusted and nauseated, aggravated by the fact that he is never punished for his crimes. Whether his heinous acts were real or all in his head, we’ll never know but yeah, you’ll probably want to do a cleansing routine after you finish reading the book.
2. Bob Ewell – To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best classic books of all time. In this book, the patriarch of the Ewell family, Bob, belonged to one of the poorest families in Maycomb, Alabama. This evil and illiterate hate-monger is one of the most hated book characters, and rightly so. Who would like a man who neglects his children, abuses his daughter, attacks the vulnerable, shows zero accountability for his actions, and blames everyone but himself for his failures?
Ewell’s most cruel act was falsely accusing Tom Robinson of raping Mayella, his daughter. He uses lies and violence to cover up his own abuse of his children and to uplift his social status. An embodiment of racism, ignorance, and cowardice, Ewell attacks Scout and Jem for revenge after losing in court. He wants to feel powerful, even if it means hurting or destroying others.
Ewell’s false accusation of Robinson is based on racism and a need to protect his own twisted sense of pride. He represents the section of society that lashes out blindly when their worldview is challenged, which is why he feels so real. His character doesn’t just make you angry but also think, and that’s exactly why it stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.
3. Humbert Humbert – Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
One of the most disturbing narrators in literature, Humbert Humbert is a manipulator who uses his charm and eloquence to justify his predatory and obsessive behavior toward his 12-year-old stepdaughter, Dolores Haze, whom he nicknames “Lolita”. He manipulates readers into thinking that he is a tragic lover who has been wronged when, in actuality, he is a pedophile who kidnaps and sexually abuses Lolita.
Humbert alienates Lolita from her family and friends and robs her of her childhood. He murders Armand Quilty, his ex-wife’s husband, because he is convinced that the man is a threat to his obsession with Lolita. His attempts to gain the sympathy of readers are disturbing and deplorable. His justifications for his abuse and utter lack of remorse are monstrous and unforgivable. Humbert is proof that evil can wear a charming face, and that’s what makes him one of the most hated characters in literature.
4. Bill Sikes – Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
One of the most hated fictional characters in books, Bill Sikes, is a brutal criminal who uses fear and violence to rule and feels no remorse for it. He commits heinous acts, including the cold-blooded murder of Nancy, his girlfriend. He abuses his dog and tries to drown it, but does not succeed (thank god!). Basically, he abuses and inflicts violence upon anyone who challenges him or crosses his path.
Sikes is not charming or clever; he’s greedy and driven by rage. He’s a menace who repeatedly chooses violence. His lack of a conscience and violent nature make him a terrifying presence in the book. He’s the dark shadow lurking in the alleys of Dickens’ London, reminding us that evil doesn’t need a reason—it just needs an opportunity, which is why his accidental death is met with relief as justice has finally been served.
5. Joffrey Baratheon – A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
Joffrey Baratheon is the quintessential spoiled brat (a boy king, in this case) we loved to hate because he was that cruel, cold, and sadistic. Imagine a 12-year-old boy getting Lord Eddard Stark beheaded and forcing Sansa Stark to stare at her father’s severed head. Imagine him physically, verbally, and emotionally abusing Sansa and having his Kingsguard beat her repeatedly.
Joffrey’s abuse is not limited to just Sansa; he bullies Tommen, his brother, and the sickly Robert Arryn. He opens a pregnant cat’s belly just to see the kittens and is elated when someone suggests killing Bran’s direwolf for howling. He orders executions just to see people suffer, such as the incident where he asks a minstrel to choose between losing his tongue or fingers.
Joffrey is not some villain. He’s not even clever or cunning; he’s just mean, enjoys cruelty, and lacks empathy. He is a tyrant who knows he is privileged and untouchable and uses that knowledge to abuse his power. He makes impulsive decisions that lead to unnecessary violence and suffering and then hides behind the crown like a coward while others clean up his messes.
Joffrey proves that sometimes, the most dangerous people are the ones who never grew up. You cheer at his downfall, not just because he’s evil, but also because he’s unapologetically awful, arrogant, and a sadist. His reign is a testament to the dangers of unchecked power in immature hands.
6. Iago – Othello by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s plays have extreme emotions, dialogues, and characters. This one is no different. In Othello, Iago is an evil manipulator without a clear motive. His idea of fun is destroying the lives of those who trust him and call him their friend (Othello, for example). He has the gift of the gab and a knack for planting doubts and creating chaos.
Iago’s aim is to take revenge on Othello and Cassio for being passed over for a promotion and for his supposed humiliation. His manipulation tactics, driven by jealousy, resentment, ambition, and a warped sense of joy at causing harm, lead to Othello’s downfall and Desdemona’s death. He murders his wife, Emilia, and his ally Roderigo to prevent them from exposing his schemes. He also injures Cassio because he is jealous that the latter was made lieutenant instead of him.
Iago is hated because he is cold, calculating, and shows zero signs of guilt. He is the friend you never want to have because he’s nice to your face but plotting your downfall in his mind. He never reveals his true motives and carries out his plans with such precision that he doesn’t get caught until it’s too late.
7. Daisy Buchanan – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
One of the most hated female characters in books, Daisy is charming and gorgeous, but behind that beauty is a woman who is shallow, indecisive, and careless. She lets others fight for her love and affection while staying safe in her privileged and wealthy world and going about life without caring for the feelings of others.
Daisy’s flirtatious nature and rekindled romance with Gatsby lead to tragic consequences and, eventually, his death, but she remains reluctant to take responsibility for her actions. Her absence at Gatsby’s funeral shows her lack of empathy, indifference to his death, and a willingness to exploit her wealth and high social standing to avoid facing the fallout of her choices.
Daisy is the reason Gatsby’s story ends in tragedy, and you will never forgive her for it. She is a symbol of moral decay, a woman who is pretty on the outside but hollow from within.
8. Heathcliff – Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Meet Heathcliff—the ultimate anti-hero who has been wronged and responds to that by making everyone around him miserable. He is vengeful and obsessed with Catherine Earnshaw. However, his love soon turns to hate when she decides to marry Edgar Linton instead of him. And then begins a story of manipulation, abuse, cruelty, and revenge on all those who hurt him, including their innocent children!
Heathcliff is one of the most hated fictional characters in books because he turns his pain into a weapon instead of letting go. His intense passion for Catherine turns rejection into revenge, causing him to mistreat others, including his own family. His inability to move past his heartbreak and subsequent cruelty makes him detestable.
9. Professor Dolores Umbridge – Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Who doesn’t hate Dolores Umbridge?! If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you definitely do (I’m questioning your loyalties if you don’t)! Anyway, the woman is pure evil, hiding her cruelty and oppressive ideas behind a sweet smile, pink clothes, and a love for cats.
Umbridge abuses her power, tortures students, enforces unfair rules, and dishes out cruel punishments, such as making students write lines with a quill that carves into their skin. She’s one of the most hated female characters in books, not because she’s a dark wizard, but because she’s a bully who uses the system to hurt others.
10. Shylock – The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
One of the most controversial characters written by Shakespeare, Shylock is a greedy and vindictive moneylender who demands a “pound of flesh” from Antonio as collateral for failure to repay the loan. He’s stubborn, cruel, and shows no mercy.
Shylock’s actions are not justifiable but his hatred stems from years of mistreatment, cruelty, disrespect, and prejudice shown to him by Antonio and other Christians because of his Jewish identity. His demand for Antonio’s flesh is his way of taking revenge for the latter’s past actions.
You hate Shylock for his actions but also recognize that his character has been shaped by the actions of a world that never gave him a fair chance.
11. Lady Brett Ashley – The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Lady Brett Ashley is a symbol of the aimlessness and disillusionment of Hemingway’s Lost Generation (a group of American writers and artists who came of age during the first World War, experienced the disappointment of the post-war world, and eventually established their literary careers), Lady Brett is a beautiful, independent, and charismatic heartbreaker who is absolutely unattainable.
Hemingway is known for dropping offensive quotes, especially against women. It’s no wonder he created one of the most hated female characters in books, Lady Brett, who moves from one lover to the other. He highlights her inability to commit to a lasting relationship, including one with her lover. She is not evil; she is emotionally unavailable, promiscuous, and unhappy with her life. Her manipulative tendencies leave a trail of broken hearts.
Lady Brett’s need for something more, lack of purpose, desire for freedom, self-destructive patterns, and actions toward the men in her life (especially her lover) frustrate and infuriate you as they show no consideration for the feelings of those who care about her the most. Furthermore, her struggle with alcoholism aggravates her restlessness and emotional instability. She’s the ultimate “it’s not you, it’s me” character.
12. Uriah Heep – David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Say hello to the master of fake humility in Dickens’ world! Uriah Heep is a manipulator and hypocrite in the guise of a humble and meek man. He is a cunning and ambitious schemer who finds his way to power by pretending to be harmless and “umble”. His constant talk and show of humility is a facade to hide his two-faced, sneaky, and insincere nature.
Uriah is driven by envy and wants to gain power and control over others by conspiring to bring down those above him. He is one of the most hated characters in literature because he’s the ultimate sycophant and cannot be trusted, which is why his downfall is so satisfying.
13. Pearl – The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Pearl is not exactly evil; she is wild, unruly, and unpredictable, and a living reminder of her mother’s sin. She asks uncomfortable questions and defies authority. She is annoying and unsettling when she torments her mother and refuses to behave. A symbol of sin and redemption, Pearl’s behavior is erratic, which will remind you of her mother’s misdeeds and wrongdoing.
Having said that, Pearl’s character and behaviors are a product of her circumstances. She serves as a constant reminder that society can be cruel to those who don’t fit in. While her behavior is irritating and off-putting, Pearl is an embodiment of innocence born from sin.
14. John Willoughby – Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
John Willoughby charms his way into Marianne Dashwood’s heart, only to abandon her for a wealthier woman. He is a selfish and morally corrupt man who doesn’t care about the hurt and damage he causes to others, as long as his motives and desires are fulfilled.
Willoughby’s flirtations, lies, and deceit cause emotional turmoil, revealing a lack of integrity. He’s hated because he is one of those typical handsome heartbreakers who always put their own interests first. He tries to justify his actions, but you, obviously, see through him. Written by feminist author Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility is a remarkable book that promotes feminism.
15. Holden Caulfield – The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Well, not everyone is a fan of someone who is full of angst, constantly whines, is judgmental, and always complains about “phonies”—people who, according to Holden Caulfield, are fake and dishonest.
While you might relate to Holden’s struggles, the teenager’s constant negativity, inability to see past his cynicism, lack of direction, and refusal to grow up can be exhausting and sometimes infuriating. He is stuck in his own head, wallows in self-pity, and pushes away anyone who tries to help him.
Having said that, Holden’s character is also relatable because it is honest about the complexities of adulthood and how hard it is to find your place in the world. However, the constant whining and criticism of the “phoniness” around him is what makes him insufferable and loathed.
Conclusion
The most hated book characters listed above stick with us for a reason. They stir emotions, ignite debates, test our patience, and sometimes, steal the spotlight—and that’s exactly what great writing does and should do. You can hate them, but you can’t deny the fact that they reveal flaws and the full spectrum of emotions within a human being with honesty. So the next time you meet one of these literary troublemakers, thank them for making the book impossible to put down.
