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(Note: British English.)

I like characters with weaknesses, because they’re like real people, and their flaws make the story vivid. What would Charles Dicken’s tale ‘A Christmas Carol� be without the sour stinginess of Scrooge, or Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice� without Mr Darcy’s boorish arrogance?

Unlike those dull characters who are already perfect at the novel’s start, flawed heroes need to learn lessons, often difficult and painful ones. They have to wrestle their weaknesses, make ha...