The Booking Through Thursday topic for this week is:Who’s the worst fictional villain you can think of? As in, the one you hate the most, find the most evil, are happiest to see defeated? Not the cardboard, two-dimensional variety, but the most deliciously-written, most entertaining, best villain? Not necessarily the most “evil,” so much as the best-conceived on the part of the author.
One of the best crafted villains that comes to my mind is Javert of Les Miserables because he doesn’t seem like a villain. He thinks he’s on the side of right. He stands for the good causes of righteousness and justice but forgets forgiveness and mercy and compassion. He reminds me somewhat of the apostle Paul who persecutes Christians because he thinks they are sinning against the God he thinks he is serving, yet unlike Paul, who is brought prostrate and converted when he is brought face to face with the truth, Javert can’t face it, can’t comprehend it, and sadly destroys himself.
Stray Thoughts 
Great answer! Forgot about him.
You’ve been reading my blog, haven’t you?? LOL That’s funny!! I couldn’t come up with just one, and Javert made the list!
Happy Thursday!
I didn’t read the book, just saw the musical, but I found Javert to be amazingly complex and an excellent juxtaposition to Valjean.
I haven’t read this book, but is my favorite musical to listen to! Perhaps one day I’ll pick it up, but i’ve heard it really really long… 🙂
Looks like it’s time to get Les Miserables on my TBR. I know it’s really long… but no harm getting a classic on my list. I’ve got War and Peace but haven’t got around to it yet. Happy BTT!
Excellent answer. I completely forgot him.
Oh I like your answer, Barbara – both the choice and the explanation. I, too, had forgotten about Javert. Now I’m going to spend a little time thinking about sins of omission and of commission
Javert is a great choice! Also love your Friday Show & Tell.
Thanks for visiting —
Javert is a great choice for a villain!
I enjoyed yoru take on Javert.
I, too, am a great fan of Victor Hugo and his classic, Les Miserables. So much so, in fact that my current writing project is a nonfiction book consisting of personal reflections/essays based on themes drawn from the novel.
I’ve posted some early-draft samples of this work on my blog at http://algarrotto.edublogs.org. I’d be honored if you would drop by for a visit to my site. I’d be even more honored if you would let me know what you think about my work.