I suspect that it's a product of the standard cliches - characters like Marcoh, who aren't pretty or charismatic, or obviously noble or angsty, in the hands of a less-skilled writer, are never used for anything more than set-dressing. Hagrid was adorable, indeed, but he didn't have much real effect on the plot. Same for characters like Slughorn or such.
Not that Marcoh isn't noble or angsty or charismatic - he's just not obviously so, and most readers - and most writers - would miss that and discount him. And since that happens so often, even readers who know better are inclined to discount him, because in almost every other series he would have no effect, or at the best he would be a support character. I was expecting him to fall nicely into the 'mentor' role. And he defied the stereotype and went off his own way and became his own character - not being a stereotype but not being simply the opposite of the stereotype. That happens a lot in this.
^Which is why this series is so awesome in general, btw.
At least, that's my opinion, and how it works for me.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Idnedez
Date: 2008-01-14 09:41 pm (UTC)Not that Marcoh isn't noble or angsty or charismatic - he's just not obviously so, and most readers - and most writers - would miss that and discount him. And since that happens so often, even readers who know better are inclined to discount him, because in almost every other series he would have no effect, or at the best he would be a support character. I was expecting him to fall nicely into the 'mentor' role. And he defied the stereotype and went off his own way and became his own character - not being a stereotype but not being simply the opposite of the stereotype. That happens a lot in this.
^Which is why this series is so awesome in general, btw.
At least, that's my opinion, and how it works for me.
Star