Crime Uncovered: Antihero (Book)

There are few figures as captivating as the antihero: the character we can't help but root for, even as we turn away in revulsion from many of the things they do. What is it that draws us to characters like Breaking Bad's Walter White, Patricia Highsmith's Tom Ripley, and Stieg Larsson's Lisbeth Salander even as we decry the trail of destruction they leave in their wake?

Series: Crime Uncovered

Edition

There are few figures as captivating as the antihero: the character we can't help but root for, even as we turn away in revulsion from many of the things they do. What is it that draws us to characters like Breaking Bad's Walter White, Patricia Highsmith's Tom Ripley, and Stieg Larsson's Lisbeth Salander even as we decry the trail of destruction they leave in their wake?

Crime Uncovered: Antihero tackles that question and more. Mixing the popular and iconic, contemporary and ancient, the book explores the place and appeal of the antihero. Using figures from books, TV, film and more, including such up-to-the-minute examples as True Detective's Rust Cole, the book places the antihero's actions within the society he or she is rejecting, showing how expectations and social and familial structures create the backdrop against which the antihero's posture becomes compelling. Featuring interviews with genre masters James Ellroy and Paul Johnston, Crime Uncovered: Antihero is an accessible, engaging analysis of what drives us to embrace those characters who acknowledge – or even flaunt – the dark side we all have somewhere deep inside.

Editor's Introduction

Case Studies

Tom Ripley and Vic Van Allen - Fiona Peters

The Punisher - Kent Worcester

Sonchai Jitpleecheep - Nicole Kenley

Lou Ford - Gill Jamieson

Tony Soprano - Abby Bentham

Ray Donovan - Gareth Hadyk-DeLodder

Walter White and Dexter Morgan - Katherine Robbins

Alice Morgan - Sabrina Gilchrist

Sarah Linden - Joseph Walderzak

Stephanie Delacour - Mary Marley Latham

Rust Cohle - Isabell Groß

Interrogation

Reports

 

'Crime Uncovered: Antihero is fascinating and thought provoking. It causes the reader to think over their favorite novels, comic books, movies and television shows to really contemplate what it is about the antihero that interests us..' 

Victoria Irwin, Fan Girl Nation

'Readily accessible for a readership well acquainted with crime fiction through reading for pleasure.' 

Sarah Ward, Crimepieces
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