In Praise of Difficult Women (67 books)

This is a list for books where the female protagonist is flawed but is awesome in spite of, or even because of their flaws. I've noticed that a lot of flawed female characters get hated on as opposed to flawed male characters so I want to show some love for these awesome imperfect women.

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman 4.23 avg rating — 1,428,659 ratings score: 299, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	White Oleander by Janet Fitch (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 366,790 ratings score: 271, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	#Nikki Come Home by Elizabeth Virginia Poirier (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 32 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	The Beet Queen by Louise Erdrich 3.87 avg rating — 14,659 ratings score: 187, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 4.34 avg rating — 183,925 ratings score: 186, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 612,059 ratings score: 184, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner (Goodreads Author) 3.44 avg rating — 48,100 ratings score: 170, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Circe by Madeline Miller (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 1,353,309 ratings score: 150, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Life of the Mind by Christine Smallwood (Goodreads Author) 3.27 avg rating — 3,136 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North 3.64 avg rating — 11,999 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #4) by Sarah J. Maas (Goodreads Author) 4.45 avg rating — 2,087,353 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Harmless Like You by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 2,689 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Golden State by Lydia Kiesling (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 3,472 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Rakess (Society of Sirens, #1) by Scarlett Peckham (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 3,180 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Releasing 10 (Boys of Tommen, #6) by Chloe Walsh (Goodreads Author) 4.54 avg rating — 101,439 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 4,306 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Countess Conspiracy (Brothers Sinister, #3) by Courtney Milan (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 13,177 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh 3.60 avg rating — 566,571 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	When Heroes Fall (Anti-Heroes in Love, #1) by Giana Darling (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 20,090 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Girls of No Return by Erin Saldin 3.71 avg rating — 1,317 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	A Duke in Disguise (Regency Imposters, #2) by Cat Sebastian (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 1,925 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Ultimate Weapon (McClouds & Friends, #6) by Shannon McKenna (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 2,306 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser 3.60 avg rating — 1,301 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1) by Rachel Hartman (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 10,589 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Founded on Deception (Mixtape, #3) by Kat Singleton (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 743 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	The Education of Margot Sánchez by Lilliam Rivera (Goodreads Author) 3.61 avg rating — 2,743 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1) by Holly Black (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 1,738,325 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Reckless (Chestnut Springs, #4) by Elsie Silver (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 417,955 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Four Souls by Louise Erdrich 3.93 avg rating — 4,857 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Medea by Christa Wolf 3.92 avg rating — 5,012 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Pint of Contention (King Family, #3) by Susannah Nix (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 1,324 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	A Disobedient Girl by Ru Freeman 3.86 avg rating — 1,173 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter 3.88 avg rating — 14,719 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	The Summer I Destroyed You (The Summer, #4) by Elizabeth O'Roark (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 7,403 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	My Brilliant Friend (Neapolitan Novels, #1) by Elena Ferrante 4.05 avg rating — 470,335 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	A Gentleman Undone (Blackshear Family, #2) by Cecilia Grant (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 3,017 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	King of Sloth (Kings of Sin, #4) by Ana Huang (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 228,297 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Over You by Amy Reed (Goodreads Author) 3.66 avg rating — 613 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	A Lily Among Thorns by Rose Lerner (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 901 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Clean by Amy Reed (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 7,382 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	My Beautiful Enemy (The Heart of Blade Duology, #2) by Sherry Thomas (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 2,640 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Crazy by Amy Reed (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 1,681 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 88,648 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Twelfth Transforming by Pauline Gedge 4.06 avg rating — 1,137 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Fair, Bright, and Terrible (Welsh Blades, #2) by Elizabeth Kingston (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 607 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	The Emperor's Babe by Bernardine Evaristo 3.65 avg rating — 4,440 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	A Woman Entangled (Blackshear Family, #3) by Cecilia Grant (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 1,755 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	The Bone Maker by Sarah Beth Durst (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 3,682 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma (Goodreads Author) 3.68 avg rating — 10,707 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Dreamer's Pool (Blackthorn & Grim, #1) by Juliet Marillier (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 16,436 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	The Mothers by Brit Bennett (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 128,843 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Chemistry by Weike Wang 3.73 avg rating — 25,919 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd 3.61 avg rating — 1,633 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 83,448 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke 3.23 avg rating — 16,406 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Shiny Broken Pieces (Tiny Pretty Things, #2) by Sona Charaipotra (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 7,146 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo by Zen Cho (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 1,312 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Tiny Pretty Things (Tiny Pretty Things, #1) by Sona Charaipotra (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 15,941 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	The Good People by Hannah Kent (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 23,246 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 124,792 ratings score: 77, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coats (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 2,119 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	Dare Me by Megan Abbott (Goodreads Author) 3.24 avg rating — 30,197 ratings score: 75, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	The Chosen Place, The Timeless People by Paule Marshall 4.02 avg rating — 313 ratings score: 74, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	The Star Side of Bird Hill by Naomi Jackson (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 2,307 ratings score: 73, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	Three Daughters of Eve by Elif Shafak (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 33,228 ratings score: 72, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 385,970 ratings score: 69, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	The Book of Night Women by Marlon James 4.37 avg rating — 15,112 ratings score: 68, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars