Are Likeable Characters Important in a Good Novel?

[Chris Tusa]

I'm wondering . . . when you read a book, are you looking for characters you can relate to, characters you like, etc.? Or, are you simply looking for a good story and good writing? Have you read and loved a book containing characters you didn't admire (relate to) or even like?

[Nicole Trist]

Ok I have two thoughts on this topic.
Firstly, I don't think it is important for all the characters to be likable because to have a really dislikable character can stir up as much emotion as a character you do like.
However (and secondly), it is important to have at least one likable character or a charater the audience can relate to or otherwise the book can become a bit of a chore to read.
I actually just reviewed a book on my blog by Louis de Bernieres called A Partisans Daughter and I didn't like either of the main characters which made it hard for me to feel sorry for them when bad things happened to them, and it even made it hard to take an interest in their lives in general.
The review; http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/2009/12/princess-on-bungheap.html

[Dana Bee2012]

I like this question! I have a ton of books and most of them are non-fiction. I recently started reading fiction and feel I've really been missing out! The first few books read were out of my comfort zone. I had a friend mention them and I decided to dive right in (The Donovan Creed series by John Locke). I did not relate to any of the characters at all, but I found myself interested in them because they were so different. I always chose inspirational books or ones that I thought were most like me, but I think diving into the total opposite is so exciting, if the story is good. The Locke books were ok, a bit all over the place and some way too violent for my personal taste, but I still liked the escape and being introduced to characters that were not like me or anyone I know!

I enjoy characters I can relate to and possibly inspire me, but I also enjoy the escape of a totally different world and group of characters! Dana

[Gareth Wilson]

I wouldn't say necessarily likeable, more a case of a character that you can get a hook into.  If they're bland or I just don't care for them, it doesn't matter how well the rest of the title is, its a real struggle.