Protagonist who does horrible things without any examination of the harm they cause, does not see themselves as evil. They discover within themselves the capacity for empathy and struggle through a personal development of morality, humanity, sense of identity.
I recently read Gene Wolfe’s Book of the New Sun and found this character progression the most compelling, especially in its uneven and complicated trajectory. Severian is never really a good guy, but he is clearly seeking redemption in various ways.
Would really like some suggestions with female protagonists. Doesn’t need to be any particular genre, I do think this arc would be interesting in a realistic setting.
by lizardpurple