Talk to Me Tuesday #3 - Male vs. Female MCs

Tuesday, January 18, 2011






Talk to Me Tuesday is a brand new weekly meme where we will discuss anything (and everything) literary-related in an open forum of honesty. Questions for the next week will be posted one week prior to the post on the Features page. If you'd like to participate in this weekly feature, simply create your post, link back to me, and add your post to the wonderful Mr. Linky below. Have fun, and have at it!
This week's question: Do you have a preference between male and female MCs, and why?

Someone actually asked me this the other day, and I was a bit surprised because A) I’d never really thought about it before and B) I wasn’t sure it really mattered until I actually decided to sit down and think about it. Before I go on, let me preface this by saying that there is always an exception to the rule when it comes to my opinions on books and literature in general. I know…colour me fickle. But here’s the thing – whether it’s a male or a female MC, I want to be able to get to know the character because, frankly, if I can’t get into their head, the book tends to be a bit hopeless for me.



I also think when it comes to MCs that the tense is important in my preference. If it’s third person, I can get to know the character (male or female) a lot easier than in first person. For example, Harry Potter, and yes, HP is my go-to example because I think it’s a literary masterpiece. Harry’s character is accessible, continues to grow throughout, and takes us on a journey with him. For me, this works.


Now, if I’m reading first person, I have to say that I usually prefer reading from a female perspective. In a book like Crash Into Me (which I ended up not reviewing on my site), the MC was completely inaccessible to me because of just how masculine he was. I felt a bit lost. Another book with a male MC that didn't work for me was Girl Parts...it was much too teenage boy...and too crass. However, in Leaving Paradise, I see a perfect example of balancing both a female and male MC. Seeing both distinct POVs and finding an understanding with both Maggie and Caleb worked for me. I could relate to both.

Here’s what some of your fellow bloggers weighed in on their thoughts of male and female MCs.
Anna from Her Stardust Soul says: “Emotionally I connect with male and female MCs equally, like Harry in Harry Potter and Sarah Dessen's MCs. But as far as experiences go, it's easy and fun to relate to the girly troubles of female MCs.”
Tara from Hobbitsies says, “I prefer female MCs because I enjoy the male-induced swooning more than what would occur with a male MC.”
Rachel from Crack a Spine says, “I prefer female MCs, the reason being I feel a stronger connection when reading, as females are more emotional than males.”
Liz from Midnight Bloom reads says, “I like either male or female MC's as long as they are likable enough. It's also nice if I find some sort of common ground that persuades me to hear out their stories. Hearing either kinds of POV's has its advantages.”
So, I think my general thought is that if the character is accessible, relatable and honest, I don’t really think it matters if they’re male or female. Yes, I enjoy some nice male eye-candy from a girl’s perspective, but it’s not the end-all/be-all for me.

Want to weigh in and do your own Talk to Me Tuesday post for this week? Go ahead and link up!




39 comments:

  1. Hi Melissa!

    Another Tuesday, but this one I had an answer for. Hope you have a good one!

    Selena
    The Enchanted Book

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  2. What a great question! For me it depends on the book and author. In some cases I equally like reading about boy and girl MCs (Like in Simone Elkeles' books she does such a great job of making both Male and Female POVs relatable for both males and females), but in other ones I have an easier time relating and connecting to a girl MC than a male one (especially when the story is in first person) becasue I have more similar of experinences and feelings with them than the "typical" boy.

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  3. Great post! I think it just all despends on how the author captures the voice. Sometimes they do well and sometimes no.

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  4. I never really gave it much thought either to whether I read from female or male perspective. As long as I'm able to get a feel for the characters and understand them then I don't really have a preference.

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  5. Hmm...Good question! I have definitely read more books with female MCs, but if it is a nice change to have a male perspective. I guess it just depends on what my mood is!

    Jasmine
    The Reading Housewives

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  6. Like Lauren said, it depends on the author and the book. I find that in YA books, I prefer female authors (who use both male and female MCs) to male authors (who mostly use male MCs).
    NC
    http://trulybookish.blogspot.com/

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  7. Good question! I like both as long as the author makes a believable and likable character. Thinking over my favorite books, I'd say they're probably split pretty evenly down the middle. I do like hearing about romance from the girl's perspective though.

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  8. I like both and I think Maggie Stiefvater handles it well in Shiver. We get to see both sides and I think that's one of the reasons the book is so special.

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  9. I prefer females MCs because it's easier for me to relate to them :)

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  10. I totally agree with the third person narrative and being able to get a better picture of the character when they are presented that way, whether they are male or female.

    In first person, the characters are set up to be biased. They can't help that.

    And I loved Tara's response. "I prefer female MCs because I enjoy the male-induced swooning" <--- Why I read...to swoon.

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  11. I don't know that I really have a preference. Maybe a male MC, just for the novelty of it. I feel like I read and hear about more books with female MC, but I don't know that I have a specific preference... I'll have to think a little more about this!

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  12. Hmmm...very interesting question!! I can't really decide! I actually like books where you see multiple pov's, historical romances do this especially well! You get to see the story from both the male and female's pov!

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  13. Well, in basic terms, I prefer Female narrators, they are more in touch with their emotions and experience-wise it's just easier to relate.

    If it's a third-person narrative, then I'm okay with either one. And I also like the books that switch POVs and perspectives, like Nick and Norah's Infinite Play List for example.

    I do love Harry Potter, but I think it has a bit to do with the fact that I always knew it was a female author, and that it's a third person narrative.

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  14. I agree with what most people have said here, that it totally depends on the author. I've especially found that the skill of a writer is incredibly dependent on their ability to create great characters, which is why I loved the example of Harry Potter in the post (which I also believe is a masterpiece!).
    I've found that most Young Adult authors fail in this task, especially when writing in first person, so I've come to dislike that form.

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  15. Ah yes...the infamous 'which POV do you prefer for the lead' question. I'm with you for the most part...it all depends on how the character/story was written. If I can get to know them, even empathize with what they are going through....we have a winner either way.

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  16. Interesting question! I know I read a lot of MG boy books (and write them) but I don't think I necessarily prefer a male MC. Hmmm . . .

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  17. Really interesting question, I've been thinking about this quite a lot recently! Yes I did forget to link up, done now :)
    Yes, I agree with what you said about books told from male MCs sometimes being more childish.
    I like the point you bought up about the difference between first and third person narratives, it really does change my opinions on preferences.
    I'm enjoying reading everyone's opinions on the question :D

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  18. Great question this week!

    I really don't prefer male or female MCs over the other-- for me, sometimes the character clicks and sometimes they just don't. I also really don't mind the third-person POV skipping around from one person's head to another a bit if it helps to tell the story (I know some people aren't a fan of third person POV). Dual narration, like in Leaving Paradise, is also cool to read when it's done right. :)

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  19. I quite agree with most of you - if a character is well-written and psycologically believable it doesn't matter whether it is male or female. If it is too girly or too macho then I have a problem (ending most often in a DNF).

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  20. Either. It just depends on how it is written. We are all human after all. :)

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  21. Oh gosh... This definitely isn't something I have ever given much thought to. Hmmm... Well because the majority of books that I read are told from female MC's POV, I would have to say that that is my go-to, but I wouldn't go out of my way to read a male MC's POV. In fact now that I think about it, I really do enjoy male MC's, just because I do get to experience what they are going through, since you know, I don't get to do that on a regular basis... ;)

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  22. The majority of the first person books I read are from a female POV, but I've read several from male POV that I enjoyed. Most girls will probably connect more with a female narrator, but I've never had any issues connecting with a male narrator. It's probably due to growing up surrounded by 3 brothers, so I understand their thought process. When I moved into my dorm freshman year, I was lost because of all the girl issues, so I adore boy POV.

    So female or male MC doesn't really matter to me. If I can connect and care about a character, then I'm happy.

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  23. Great answer! It doesn't really bother me as it is all about whether the character is likeable. But what I love the most is dual narration. I love getting to see what the girl and the guy are thinking at the same time.

    Thanks again for hosting this feature :)

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  24. I saw on Nic's blog talking about dual narrations, and I agree those can be very well done.
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  25. I have read books with female MCs mostly - I can relate and understand them better. Harry Potter is probably one of the best examples of a male MC.

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  26. I was just thinking about other narrations. If the author does it right, I do enjoy a double narration with a female and a male. I actually loved Sam's character from Shiver better than Graces. However, Linger (albeit not as good as the first), I enjoyed Isabelle better than Cole. He kind of annoyed me. Although, as a sidenote, I hope he brings it in Forever.

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

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  27. great topic! I'm loving this meme thingy (would love to join in, but too much work to do :(

    i love how you set this out and the excerpts from other people.

    I like both male and female. authors who do male really well have me absolutely relating so easily and i especially love a male POV that has my rapt attention.

    I'm going to check you features page for next weeks topic ~ awesome idea, the feautures page thing :)

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  28. No preference for me. But there's something very special about male MCs because they are such a rarity in the books I read.

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  29. Melissa, this is such a good question I've never thought about before! I think I tend to like a girl MC in the 1st person, though there are a few exceptions, such as Luc from Personal Demons. In 3rd person, I don't think it matters as much as long as they're relatable, like you said.

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  30. As long as the writing is good, I will enjoy the book whether the MC is male or female. :)

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  31. I never really thought about it! I think I find both of them accessible as long as the writing is good. I do agree with Small Review, though, in that if it's a romance I'm much more inclined to enjoy it from the female perspective.

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  32. For me, it doesn't matter if the character is male or female as long as the character is one I like and I have no problems with the writing.

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  33. Great answer! (Thanks for the feature and the follow btw :]) The Harry Potter books slipped my mind, but I'd have to agree that they are a perfect example of male narration done well. Really, I just need to connect with the character and I'm hooked.

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  34. I am always on the look out for great male narrators, because, many of the YA books are told from a female point of view and about female topics. I would really like to find more male contemporary novels too.

    That being said I like any narrator with personality and humor, who tells an interesting story that gets my imagination pumping and my emotions churning.

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  35. This is a great question! I was just talking to Kelli about this the other day... I have always thought that I liked female POV but when I thought about my top 3 books of all time they were all male POV...

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  36. I always find it easier, whether reading or writing, to get into a girl's head, but you're right: some people do both very well!

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  37. Great question, Melissa! I tend to read female MC's not really because I don't WANT to read male MC's, I just seem to be drawn to those female MC's.

    I noticed something else kind of weird, and that I'm pretty ashamed of. I've never actually reviewed a book for my blog written by a male. I KNOW. Terrible. I've been sucked up in this female, girl MC frenzy.

    Although, I really did love a few of Susane Colasanti's books, where alternate chapters were told in a male point of view.

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  38. Il like both male and female MC! But as a girl, I like the fact that being in the thoughts of a male MC can help us to better understand the mystery that men are lol

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  39. I love both equally although I am a very big fan of a male MC especially if he's the narrator of the story.

    I guess the reasoning behind this is that 1) it's different and not as common. Most books, especially YA are written by women and so it's natural to have more female MCs. 2)I like that I can't always relate to the way a male MC thinks or feels. I am a girl and was a teen girl at one point and time and so I know what that's like. It's nice though to live vicariously through someone else when reading as I've always been drawn to books and characters that are very different than myself and my day to day life.

    It can be nice to relate to a character as well and I find that although males and females are very different, at the centre of it all, we're more alike than not. I can't always understand first hand what a male MC is going through but I can sympathize and learn from him etc.

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