When reading YA fiction, I get very excited to see a kick
*ss female lead. Nonetheless, it is often the male characters that I find
myself more readily relating to. This trend can perhaps be best exemplified by
my unrelenting love for my “F” character.
“F” is for Four from Divergent
I don’t love Four because he is sexy (though Theo James
playing him in the film and stripping off his shirt was certainly appreciated).
I also don’t love Four because he is stereotypically broody. I love Four
because he has seen true adversity in his life, found a way around it, and overcame
it.
The child of an abusive father, Four sacrificed everything
that was safe and familiar to him to flee his abuser and start his life fresh.
Though his tale is certainly tragic, it is also simply back story. He doesn’t
harp on it, or use it as a crutch. Instead, he faced a tough childhood and
moved on to be a compassionate and heroic man.
And OK, his being dead sexy does make me love him a little
more.
