What do you look for in a "relatable" main character?

[SirContro]

Step 1, Be a man.
Step 2. Attempt to piss off as many people as possible.
He's just like me fr fr.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

There really isn't any one thing I look for, unless maybe it's "something familiar but different - not the same as everything else I've read"

 

[Azhurie_Mythephan]

The person has to be someone who thinks about what they're doing before they do it. Even if they still do the stupid sh*t, at least they thought about the consequences beforehand.

 

[Devilish]

I tend to identify with and get attached to any character who’s ironic, pragmatic, and has a strong, active voice in the story, like Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger), Capitu (Dom Casmurro by Machado de Assis), or Tyrion Lannister (A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin). They can be a bit caricatured at times (in certain scenes), but they’re so well developed that they feel real and tangible. Because of that, I got deeply invested in them and in the plot. I genuinely recommend these books, they’re not the best I’ve ever read, but they were definitely worth my time.

I love sarcastic characters with sharp humor who are observant and perceptive. I don’t think their age matters much as long as the personality and the story are strong. The truth is, for a reader to like and relate to a character, they need to believe in the story to trust every paragraph, every action, and, most importantly, to see logic and consistency in the character’s dialogue, behavior, and decisions. I really dislike Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen) because, even though she’s ironic and has an active voice in the story, but some of her actions and lines clash too much with the character and structure the author herself originally built.​

 

[CanOfTuna]

that they are single.

 

[Elsewhere]

For me it's the reason they try to achieve their goals.

 

[Wenlock]

No saviour complex. I mean, yes have morals and help out people when you can but not at the expense of your own interests. Also low energy and a lowkey pessimistic personality.

 

[AlmondyMilky]

I relate better to female characters who aren't afraid to be the bigger person

 

[Bartun]

Dino ?

 

[Blingbee]

I like flawed characters

 

[L1aei]

How they see the world.

I've read novels that have inhuman characters and I couldn't relate to them at all until they start interacting with the world around themselves. The instant they are grounded on a solid foundation, I don't care if they are a toaster, I can begin to relate when that toaster describes the elevated surface their meatbag overlord scooted them into for symmetrically spacious efficiency next to a humming container that emits heat but creates dribbling condensation on the toaster's bonnet whenever the sack of flesh leaves the container's chilly door open, causing the toaster to question the thermal paradox of that container unit.

There you go. I can now visualize the toaster being tucked into a counter's corner next to a fridge. That door? It swings away from the toaster when it opens. How do I know that? Because the cooling interior environment is escaping, it's going in the toaster's direction, and that's being pointed out when the toaster is experiencing accumulated condensation. Look, relatability doesn't require a human body; it's about how a character interprets, processes, and responds to the world; ground the character and I'll relate.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

Look,s attitude, their past experiences, the way they speak to others, the way they interact. it's fun living the life I've had so far, because I can pretty much relate to most of the characters in some way - or am reminded of a real person I know. That's what makes me read most.

 

[Makimaam]

I dont have a particular preference except for my disdain for edgy characters.

Ive dropped so many books because the authors try too hard to push a villainous or antihero edge when I barely have time to care about the mcs. That said, there are exceptions. Some stories have such a strong plot that I keep clicking next hoping that the MC will get completely wrecked by the end of the book, preferably dead.
And also, dont be boring.

 

[empalgepuk]

Non-omnipotent characters who still behave like normal people, even if they do gain power later.

I want to see them behave and emote like normal people. I want to see them minmaxing with their limited power to solve their problems. I want to see them cooperate with other characters if their abilities aren't enough.

 

[TinaMigarlo]

As the title asks, what do you want or look for in a relatable character? Is it the age, personality, morals, struggle, where they came from, or how they see the world? Does the setting make them more relatable? Do you even want a relatable character? What makes them relatable in the first place?

Its not so much about what I like, as what I dont like and turns me off like a light switch.

I get tired of the juvenile comic book hero alpha stud MC. Its not realistic. You can spot an alpha stud a mile off. The prime bad guy would just put a bullet behind his ear and move on. I want a more matured character, a more complex character. If I wanted to read a comic book, I'd buy a comic book.

I hate things obviously "crafted" to appeal to the latest and greatest politically correct thing. I don't mind a female MC, nor a strong opne. But I get tired of the female version of the comic book alpha female. I'm sick of "wonder woman" running around in designer everything, gorgeous as a model, a crack shot with her gfun in her gucci purse and a kung fu expert. Her FBI boss can't function without her advice and hints how to do his job? Please.

not MC always, but I get tired of "dropped in speeches". Either the writer is pandering to whatever is popular this week, or the editors are dropping it in to fulfill board meeting agendas. It killed me from buying books decades ago.

I'm not a chud. I like plenty of what would be considered left wing characters. I'm willing to engage in suspension of disbelief enjoying the movie in my head. But, these things I listed stop the "movie in my head" by being unrealistic. Hell, I used to read Sharon Green's "warrior" fantasy series. A female amazon warrior, in several books. But none of the above problems existed in her books.

my two cents. These things killed the print industry, they did it to themselves. If they would quit it, the readers would come back. Also? The industry has contracted to a small number of high profile HUGE authors. I liked it better when there were gobs of new and lesser known authors in paperback along the shelves. Lots to pick from, to find little gems.

 

[Corty]

Internal values.