Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The "Fourth" Wheel

It seems most of us aren't uber fond of the love triangle in books these days. It's probably because it's so freaking overused, but, still, we find ourselves taking sides, anyway. Joining a "team", rooting for our favorite guy, hoping against hope that we and the MC will see eye to eye.

I do this mostly too. I'm team Jacob, team Astley, team Jeremiah, but quite often I find myself choosing a guy that isn't even part of the freaking love triangle! Leave it to me to be that obstinate. For example:

 Sure, I liked Gale better than Peeta but to be honest I was sorta hoping Katniss would drop both guys and end up with Finnick. Am I right? Alright then!

It's not as if Logan really has a shot yet he's part of the love triangle in this series. Personally, as hot as Zachery and his Scottish accent is, I'd prefer Aura just choose Logan's younger brother Dylan.

Yep, I know I'm being brave here but my favorite Austen male character ever is Colonel Fitzwilliam! So yeah, I think Elizabeth should have told Wickham where to stick it and Darcy where to go and choose the higher, much higher road.

Tell me I'm not alone here! Are there characters that aren't love interests that should be in your opinion? Do you agree with me on any of my choices?

27 comments:

  1. Heh, I hear you on the love triangles. In general, I'm sort of worn out on love as a means of tension. I've also seen the introduction of the "love square."

    Nice post!

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    1. Yeah, but the squares I'm talking about aren't "supposed" to be squares, but, yeah, I've seen those love squares. As if two guys wasn't enough. *rolls eyes*

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  2. AHAH!!!finally a clue to your dilemma I mean your personal situation....Oh wait it's a love uno angle...Never mind. I just thought maybe you were looking for......uh never mind...Never mind...Ahem have a great day ;)

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  3. Interestingly enough, which probably won't surprise you at all, I usually go with the person the heroine picks because the author, in my opinion, writes that character in a better light at the beginning of the story.

    I'm Team Edward, Peeta, and Jace. While I like the other character in the triangle, I just don't see the appeal in them as love interests. The only time I've ever had issue is with Clockwork Prince. I love both Will and Jem and the only thing I'm worried about is that their friendship/parabatainess is going to be destroyed because of the triangle and I'd rather have that not happen than one of them end up with Tessa.

    As far as the fourth wheel, I guess I read with blinders on. I just don't see them ... at least as love interests. It'll be interesting to see as I become more well read if that changes.

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    1. Well, at least you aren't disappointed then. I always pick the other guy or, as I just said, some other guy. I haven't read The Clockwork books yet so I'll have to see what I think when I get to them.

      And you should really look for those fourth wheels. They're lot's of fun.

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    2. I really think that I pick the person the heroine picks because I read with blinders on. I just don't see anything else. Sometimes, I wish I were as critical as you. And, by critical, I mean critical as in critical analysis. I don't analyze books very critically at all.

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    3. Meh, it tends to ruin a lot of books. Sometimes I wish I could just read and enjoy but oh well.

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  4. I agree with you in Finnick! Sometimes I will think to myself, "You know what would be hilarious and awesome at the same time? If the author would make THIS GUY a love interest." I know it will never happen, but it amuses me nonetheless. :P

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    1. Yep! I do it all the time...of course once I went to write this post I forgot half of them. Ah well.

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  5. FINNICK FOR LIFE! I am so with you on that. Also, I am a Mr. Bingley fan as far as P&P goes.

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    1. Yeah Bingley is nice...a little too nice but I get it. Finnick rocks!

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  6. I agree as far as a hopeless romantic can go, which isn't it turns out THAT far, but I do find the odd character just jumps out at you like "that would be a weird but cool match" such as in Jem and Tessa's case

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    1. I haven't read The Clockwork books yet but I thought Jem was part of a love triangle??? No???

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  7. This post makes me love you. I'm laughing so hard.

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  8. I love this post, lol. But I must admit I am not so fond of love triangles because there is so much of it in books. All series must have it, and I think it is all too much of it. Why can`t they just make a series where a girl and boy fall for each other and that's it. Yes there is something romantic and exciting about it, but I think it is a little unreal. And its not something that happen everyone in life:) But I'll admit I've chosen side when it comes to all triangle dramas I've come across.

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    1. Yeah, not very many people get a love triangle in real life.

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  9. I love it! Finnick was one of my favorite characters...kind of the friend Gale would have been if he hadn't liked Katniss. Usually I pick the guy that the MC does, but I have a couple books where I think the guy who you know won't win is more interesting. (I'm looking at you Matched & Clockwork Prince). I guess I've never thought to consider any of the other guys. Maybe that would make some books more interesting. :)
    I get tired of love triangles, too. Especially because it always seems so obvious who the girl is going to pick.

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    1. Yeah, remember my post The Not Love Triangle? I hate when the author makes it so freaking obvious that one guy doesn't have a chance. Why even put them in there?! Drives me nuts!

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  10. Jenny, we are so on the same page. I did love Gale but if there had to be a non main guy hook up Finnick would be the one. It made a lot more sense since they get along so well than Peeta that's for sure. I haven't read the other books you mentioned, but I am so there on the Colonel Fitzwilliam thing. He's such a nice guy. Sort of the manlier version of Bingley but not snobbish like Darcy.

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    1. Exactly! The manlier version of Bingley! Love it!

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  11. This is kind of why I love you. I always find myself rooting for the oddball team. In THG I loved Gale to begin with, but was frustrated with the direction Collins took his character. Finnick and Cinna (!!) both had great interactions with Katniss. I do have to admit that I'm kind of firmly for Lizzie and Darcy, though, but Colonel Fitzwilliam was a genuinely good man, too.

    I think I like these characters because the relationship isn't not forced, it's not the obvious 'fate' that the MC has to choose.

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    1. Yeah, just once I'd like to see a MC surprise us all and pick the fourth wheel. ;)

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  12. That's not wierd at all! I was totally rooting for Finnick too!!! He's way better then Gale or Peeta combined! Annie is one lucky girl!

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    1. Well, she was. :( Still a little sore about that whole ordeal.

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  13. +JMJ+

    I can't believe I didn't see this the first time you posted it!

    My own attitude toward love triangles in YA was perfectly encapsulated in some other reviewer's comment that there's more to saving the world than picking the right boyfriend. There's nothing innately wrong with the choice between two equally great but completely different guys, each representing an ideology or a kind of rebellion, as a symbool; but when it's the main symbol in what is supposed to be a huge epic, it drags the whole story down. So the world lives or dies depending on which guy some girl picks to be her boyfriend? Only teenage girls think like that, and even they grow up.

    PS -- Team Finnick, aye? ;-) LOL! I know what you mean, but I love Peeta and didn't really see any chemistry between Katniss and Finnick. (Some might argue that there isn't much chemistry between Katniss and Peeta, either!)

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    1. Yeah, we all have our favorites despite that we hate the love triangle. I'm fine with Katniss ending up with Peeta I just liked Finnick better. ;)

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