I’ve recently read a book and played a game that had redemption arcs in them, and it just got me thinking about them and why I love them. So I thought I’d do a little discussion on why I like them and what makes them work for me, and then give some recommendations!
(Fun Fact: I looked up what flowers symbolize apology and found that lily of the valley is best, so that’s what the image above is!)
Why I Like Redemption Arcs
I think the reason I like redemption arcs so much is simply because I like the idea of people trying to be better. It seems most people who’ve done serious wrong in real life never do that, so I guess that makes it extra appealing.
Also, a lot of characters are pretty close to perfect, which I am not. No one is. So it can be nice to find some characters who are truly flawed. It’s a nice reminder that whatever you’ve done in life is probably not as bad as what this character has done, and if even they can be redeemed and deserving of love, so can you.
I’m gonna quote myself here from one of my reviews: It’s better late than never to start being a better person. I can always get behind a character admitting their wrongs and trying to change.
What Makes Them Work
Just to be clear, this is all my opinion about what works for me, not requirements for writers.
For me, the key to a redemption arc is, first and foremost, that the character is genuinely sorry and doing what they can to make up for it. That includes not doing it just to get forgiveness, they’re sorry whether they’re forgiven or not.
The second important thing is that the character is, at the very least, a decent person. Not just to the people they wronged, but in general. If they’re sorry about one thing they did but are still an awful person in other ways, I don’t think I’m going to forgive them.
Sometimes these characters also have reasons that explain why they did what they did or became the way they are. Which can make me feel for them more, and it can be good character development because yes, violence begets violence, abused people abuse others, etc. But of course that does not excuse bad behavior, and I wouldn’t like it if a story tried to use it as an excuse.
But even then, even if they meet these requirements, it doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll forgive them, or that other readers will. I think certain things are just unforgivable to some people, even if those things only happened in a fictional world. I think it can also be harder to forgive characters who’ve done things that we’ve experienced in real life. And that’s ok. Feelings are complex things.
But even when I personally can’t forgive a character or feel like what they did was just irredeemable, I can still appreciate that the character is trying to be better now, because that’s always a good thing.
Recommendations
The Fallen King’s Penitent Soldier by Megan Derr is the book I read recently that sparked this post idea. It’s all about a character redeeming himself, and it was very much a redemption arc done right, in my opinion. I loved it and felt so much for the character.
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist was the game I played recently. One character (Vace) is just the worst. But if you can stand that long enough to befriend him, you can convince him to do therapy, and then you get to learn more about him, and he really changes, and that ended up being one of my favorite characters/friendships in the epilogue.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Prince/Sir Robot IV (from Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples) is one of my all-time favorite characters, and he has a more subtle sort of redemption arc. It sort of just happened, never really focused on, but as it was happening, he went from being a character I didn’t like as a person but found sort of hilarious, to a character I really cared about and wanted all the best for. This one doesn’t necessarily meet my requirements, I don’t remember if he really says he’s sorry for anything, but you can tell he’s changing.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Docile by K. M. Szpara is a book I did not like, but it’s a good example of a character who I don’t think I could quite forgive even though he pretty much did do everything right after he realized he’d done wrong. What he did was just too awful, but I’m still glad he changed for the better.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Binding Blood by Daniel de Lorne is a book I really liked but another example of a character whose actions were too awful for me to completely forgive. The author did make me feel a lot of sympathy for him though, and I was surprised by how much my feelings toward him changed when he changed.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
“There will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous men who need no repentance.” Literally the opening text. In this book, it’s never made entirely clear to the reader exactly what happened. But the character takes responsibility and certainly tries to make up for it anyway. He’s one who at first made me think, “Ugh, this guy’s a jerk,” but I loved him by the end.
Big agree on the characters truly being sorry, I also feel like I can’t really get behind a character unless they acknowledge the harm they’ve caused and are actively working to repair it in some way
Yep, if it feels like they’re not truly sorry and trying to fix it, I might not be able to get behind them or their redemption arc.
“I looked up what flowers symbolize apology and found that lily of the valley is best, so that’s what the image above is!”
Ha! I was wondering about the flowers.
I can’t remember if I’ve ever read a book with a redemption arc, at least when the main characters were concerned…I suppose, though, that it would be easier for me to forgive them if they had a reason for what they did, and if they mirrored my own experience with doing wrong.
I think I have more experience with redemption arcs when it comes to TV series, and I’m usually able to forgive the character’s wrongdoings…also, I agree that they add an extra dimension to the story, because perfection doesn’t exist, and perfect characters would probably be boring anyway LOL.
Now I’m glad I mentioned that little fun fact!
I was surprised to realize I didn’t have many books for the recommendations. I think it can be harder to forgive characters when the harm they’ve done is harm that’s been done to me, but I imagine it would be easier if what they’ve done is similar to something I’ve done (though usually characters with redemption arcs do some pretty bad things).
But yeah, it can add some depth and variety among the characters!
I like a flawed character. I like them even more when they have relatable, real world problems and flaws.
That makes sense!
I love a redemption arc! I think I love the suspense that comes from not knowing if the character is really going to change, or if they’re going to fall back into their old habits. Thanks for the recommendations.
That can definitely add some tension! Especially if they do go backward, you’re just like, “Nooooo, don’t do it, you’re better than this 😢”
I like a good redemption arc but I also can’t think of any? Have I read any? Now I want to seek one out.
Yeah, I thought I would have more recommendations lol.
I don’t mind flawed characters but my favorite thing is when they try to do better. You’re right. too few people recognize their own behavior and try to redeem themselves so it’s nice to read..
Karen @For What It’s Worth
Yep, it can be so satisfying to read about!
I like redemption arcs too. I like to think that we can all be better and change. I also expect some kind of growth when I read a book. What better than to see someone redeem themselves.
Yep, it’s a good reminder, and it’s nice to see characters grow in books.
It’s interesting as I just read a post about someone asking if seeing a character getting progressively worse in a series can work or if it needs to be all positive character development and this post is like the opposite. To be fair, I want a good redemption arc as it shows that although you can make mistakes and go wrong there’s always the chance to redeem yourself. I
I don’t think I’ve read about a character really getting worse, that sounds like it’d be interesting, though hard to pull off well.