I remember observing, recently and approvingly, that, with the possible exception of one character, no one in the immense sprawl of Middlemarch qualifies as a villain. I get a lot of pleasure from that book but the pleasure of hating isn't one of them.
Not so with Elmore Leonard. I've just finished The Switch, which features one of the great a-holes in recent American fiction. If you've read it you will probably know that I'm not talking about either of the two ex-cons, somewhat likable veterans of grand theft auto who now are trying their hand at kidnapping and extortion. And I'm certainly not talking about their dim-witted, right-wing accomplice: he's too pathetic to hate.
I'm talking, of course, about Frank Dawson, the target of the extortion plot. Let's tally up some of the reasons for hating him.
1. In college, he majored in Business, and was a member of the Young Republicans. It doesn't help that he was on the golf team, either.
2. Is he a worse husband or father? There is much to be said on both sides, but I'd say he's a worse husband, since he regards his wife's kidnapping as an opportunity to be done with her. His son he only neglects.
3. He's stupid. He thinks that since he's rich he isn't, but he is.
4. The facts underlying his marriage are damning. His wife is hot, sure, but for him the more important trait is her pliability. In other words, she's perfect because most really attractive women have options and therefore can't be dominated.
5. For purposes of demographic checklists, he's a Catholic.
6. His real religion is the Deep Run Country Club. It's the center of his social life. He's also the club golf champion.
7. He has his car--a white Lincoln Continental, Mark V--washed daily.
8. His wealth can be explained by the interactions of several factors: his privileged background; the importance he places upon financial success; a willingness to round corners, cheat, break the law; the marshalling of America's professional services industry--law, accounting--to make up for his defects in the intelligence compartment.
9. He uses others to place himself at a distance from the riskier aspects of his business enterprises. The profitability is connected with illegality but his front men are more exposed than he.
10. He's a bit of a fop.
11. When drinking, which is most of the time, he's even messier and meaner.
Read the book and add to the list. At the library, it may be in the Mystery section, but I'd shelve it with the "contemporary classics." Leonard is among other things a great American satirist.
