Sociopaths in Literature
Sociopathic personality traits include – superficial charm, glibness, manipulative behaviour, lack of remorse, grandiose sense of self, lack of realistic life planning, shallow emotions, lack of remorse, lack of empathy, incapacity for love, promiscuous sexual habits and/or parasitic behaviours.
My second book, Necropolis (release date April 24th) is a humorous work of dark fiction about a sociopath, who works for the Burials and Cemeteries department in his local council. His name is Dyson. Dyson has many of the characteristics associated with sociopathic personality types.
Sociopaths have long fascinated us. One of the reasons for this is that we wonder what we could accomplish if we were not burdened by that complex obstacle that is a conscience.
There are numerous examples of sociopathic type personalities in literature. These include in chronological order:
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli (We, the reader are urged to be sociopathic)
Othello by Shakespeare (Iago)
Macbeth by Shakespeare (Macbeth)
Persuasion by Jane Austen (Mr. Elliot)
Vanity Fair by William Thackeray (Becky Sharp)
East of Eden by John Steinbeck (Cathy)
A number of influential books have had sociopathic protagonists. These include:
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (Alex)
The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson (Lou) [Click on link to read my review]
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis (Patrick Bateman) [Click on link to read my review]
Necropolis is a darkly humorous addition to the sociopath genre.
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I love the book cover Guy. It captures the feel of your book brilliantly. I’m so impressed by the amount of research you have put into this book and eagerly anticipate its launch. I hope it goes on to be a huge success – you deserve it!
I hope so too Diane. I’m pleased to hear you like the cover. Thank you for all your support. Have a great weekend.
I think your book cover is fabulous Guy! I look forward to its release and wish you much success with it 🙂
Coming from such an accomplished photographic artist that is quite a compliment, thank you. Have a good weekend.
Necropolis front cover is amazing. It will really catch the eye as a thumbnail – so important as this is how most people will probably first see it, on Amazon & goodreads etc. Can’t wait to read Necropolis. In the interim I will read The Killer Inside Me. Your review persuaded me to buy it – v.concise & not opinionated.
The Killer Inside Me is a chilling and deeply disturbing book. Must get around to reading some more Jim Thompson at some point. Good to hear you liked the Necropolis front cover.
Great cover. Like the reference to Machiavelli’s sociopathic handbook. Like ‘Machiavellian’, maybe the term ‘Dysonian’ will enter the language one day. Or perhaps ‘Portmanic’?
That would be great. Either that or Dysonian will end up being the term for how future man refers to the period when early humans first embraced rolling ball hoovers. Good to hear you like the cover. Thanks.
Great cover. Liked the extract. want to read more
Thank you John. Have a good weekend.
Once clearly senses that Dyson ain’t a nice ‘un.
Intriguing short teaser, that!
Thanks, I was hoping it would prove to be.
Heartily thanx for ur liking my article WHO GOES TO BED WITH WHOM.