Is an evil main character taboo?

[Griffith]

I want to write a science fiction novel which takes place in the near future, roughly a few decades from now. America has experienced another terrorist attack on it's territory, and this time it is catastrophic. Because of this, the government has segregated non-Muslim Americans from the Muslim Americans. A Muslim boy, who is White, wants to work to end the segregation, but when his mentor is assasinated by the government, he turns into a terrorist and enters the non-Muslim city and conducts terrorist operations. Meanwhile, there's a huge investigation to find him, since he appears White, you cannot tell automatically that he's Muslim.

That's the basic version of the plot. Would you guys feel confortable reading a story like this, or would you reject it because the main character is a terrorist?

 

[Commonmind]

Again, the cliche response, do what you feel is best for your story. There's nothing taboo about an evil, or for use of a better word, troubled, main character. I've read books in which the main character, or one of the main characters, was dark, and in quite a few cases they were the most compelling characters I've read. Raistlin, from the Dragonlance stories is a good example. In my opinion the subject matter would be more sensitive, considering the times in which we are living. As well, if you did decide to proceed with writing the book, you'd really have to devote a good amount of time to studying the Muslim religion, so as not to give the improper representation of their theology. Especially considering the poor image that some individuals have of them; a lot of Americans consider all Muslims terrorists, which is a gross and detestable assumption. What you'd be left doing, is trying to discern the very devout, very characteristically good-hearted people from the fanatical terrorists, and making sure you've drawn a definable line between the two. You don't, by any means, want to botch that up, or else you'll have no chance of publication.

 

[Urien]

By white one presumes you mean he looks like a north European. The peoples of Europe and the Mediterranean basin are all predominantly the same race; the skin tone varies from lighter to darker, north to south. This is reflected in the composition of the US population. I doubt that one could tell the difference between someone from Egypt or Algeria, or southern Spain and Greece.

 

[Griffith]

Again, the cliche response, do what you feel is best for your story. There's nothing taboo about an evil, or for use of a better word, troubled, main character. I've read books in which the main character, or one of the main characters, was dark, and in quite a few cases they were the most compelling characters I've read. Raistlin, from the Dragonlance stories is a good example. In my opinion the subject matter would be more sensitive, considering the times in which we are living. As well, if you did decide to proceed with writing the book, you'd really have to devote a good amount of time to studying the Muslim religion, so as not to give the improper representation of their theology. Especially considering the poor image that some individuals have of them; a lot of Americans consider all Muslims terrorists, which is a gross and detestable assumption. What you'd be left doing, is trying to discern the very devout, very characteristically good-hearted people from the fanatical terrorists, and making sure you've drawn a definable line between the two. You don't, by any means, want to botch that up, or else you'll have no chance of publication.

That makes sense. But, being Muslim, I don't think I'll screw it up. I know the religion inside and out, and have memorized half of the Koran, and read through it entirely countless times. Not to mention also the various different traditions within Islam. I want the character to come off as disturbed by various forces and incidents in his life. For instance, one of the reasons why he becomes a terrorist is because he meets another man who is secretly trying to form an underground resistance group against the government. This man is the one who warps his mind and teaches him an incorrect version of Islam. The main character is so angry from the death of his mentor, who I'm trying to mould as a Martin Luther King Jr., that he is ready to believe the extremist message.

 

[Griffith]

By white one presumes you mean he looks like a north European.

Yes, blonde hair, blues eyes. He mixes in perfectly normally in the non-Muslim city. He even enrolls himself in a high school so that he won't stand out. Later he exploits some of the "friends" he makes in the school and uses them in his plots, without them realizing it.

 

[Commonmind]

If you're an educated Muslim, as you say you are, I don't see there being an issue. If I may offer an opinion, however, I would be much more compelled to read a story in which this main character turned into a terrorist against the extremists. Maybe his mentor was killed by a fanatical terrorist organization and in turn he wages a personal, and bloody vendetta against them. Becoming a bad guy to the bad guys of sorts. The problem with turning him into a terrorist would be that the book is mainly a character struggle, and though they can be interesting reads all their own, having him act out against the terrorists by becoming another type of villian, would be much more interesting.

However, that's just based on my taste...

 

[jackokent]

I think it sounds fasctinating. Would love to read a bit of it.

I love the idea of a central character doing evil things but because of the way a book is written and thier motivation, they can still remain sympathetic. I loved Kennit from the Hobbs Live Ships books for that reason.

 

[Griffith]

If you're an educated Muslim, as you say you are, I don't see there being an issue. If I may offer an opinion, however, I would be much more compelled to read a story in which this main character turned into a terrorist against the extremists. Maybe his mentor was killed by a fanatical terrorist organization and in turn he wages a personal, and bloody vendetta against them. Becoming a bad guy to the bad guys of sorts. The problem with turning him into a terrorist would be that the book is mainly a character struggle, and though they can be interesting reads all their own, having him act out against the terrorists by becoming another type of villian, would be much more interesting.

However, that's just based on my taste...

Well actually you accidently hit on the last part of the book. He's realizes that the terrorists group he's joined are the real enemies after he is caught by the government. Instead of sentencing him to death, they use him to infiltrate the rest of the terrorist network and bring the rest to justice. He succeeds, but is shot dead at the trial.

 

[Commonmind]

Good call. Seems like you've got the plot worked out pretty well.

Time to get crackin!

 

[Griffith]

Good call. Seems like you've got the plot worked out pretty well.

Time to get crackin!

Thanks! I just wanted to make sure that people wouldn't find the story offensive. I've got so many ideas bouncing around in my head, I better get them written down before I forget. I will post some portions of it later on so that you guys can critique it.

 

[Sapheron]

You can be sure that someone, somewhere, can find anything and everything offensive. However, the trick is not to care too much. Other people can only have a limited effect on your book, after all, it's yours, not theirs. So, as everyone else has said, go for it, and have fun. If you want to make me happy, then slip in some nasty digs at political correctness while you're at it. Seems like the sort of book you could manage it.

 

[crawly]

Good and evil, is not like black and white. It's in the eye of the beholder.