10 books told from the villain’s perspective

There’s something undeniably thrilling about slipping into the mind of a villain. Often viewed as the antagonists, these characters embody everything we’re meant to oppose—but when we shift the lens to see the world through their eyes, their actions, motives, and complexity unravel in ways that blur the lines between right and wrong. These books invite us to step into the shadows, allowing us to embrace the darker side of the story. From power-hungry monarchs to revenge-fueled criminals, here are 10 gripping novels told from the villain’s perspective—where morality becomes a matter of perspective, and the antihero reigns supreme.

1. “The Silence of the Lambs” by Thomas Harris

One of the most chilling villains in modern literature, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, speaks directly to the reader through his brilliant yet twisted mind. This psychological thriller invites us into the disturbed psyche of the infamous serial killer, whose charm, intellect, and cold cruelty create a potent blend of horror. Told through the lens of FBI agent Clarice Starling, The Silence of the Lambs is more than just a tale of pursuit—it’s an exploration of the strange connection between predator and prey, and Lecter’s chilling grasp on the human psyche.

2. “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire

What happens when the Wicked Witch of the West gets a backstory? Wicked takes the beloved villain from The Wizard of Oz and humanizes her, offering a deeply empathetic take on Elphaba. In this dark, lush retelling, we’re invited into her troubled, misunderstood world, where power, love, and political corruption are seen through her eyes. Maguire’s Elphaba is complex and layered, making readers question who the real villain is in this world. This is a story where the “wicked” are not always so evil, and the so-called heroes may not be as pure as they seem.

3. “The Sea Witch” by Sarah Henning

In The Sea Witch, we are introduced to Evie, a character who is destined to become the infamous Ursula from The Little Mermaid folklore. This dark retelling takes us through her transformation from a misunderstood young woman to a power-hungry sea sorceress. Henning weaves a tale that explores Evie’s past, revealing how love, betrayal, and a thirst for control can slowly turn someone to the dark side. Her journey is one of loss, magic, and moral ambiguity, proving that even villains were once heroes.

4. “Vicious” by V.E. Schwab

What happens when heroes and villains are made, not born? In Vicious, Schwab explores the world of Victor Vale and Eli Ever, two brilliant individuals who experiment with dangerous powers, resulting in their ultimate transformation into rivals. This story flips the usual superhero trope on its head by following antiheroes who struggle with their own motivations and moral compasses. Schwab’s exploration of their twisted friendship and desire for vengeance reveals the complexity behind what it means to be a villain—and just how thin the line between good and evil can be.

5. “Confessions: The Murder of an Angel” by James Patterson

Confessions features a deeply unreliable narrator, Tandy Angel, a girl who comes from a family of wealth, privilege, and dark secrets. The novel follows her efforts to uncover the truth behind her family’s tragic fall from grace and the murder of her own sister. As the story unfolds, the reader discovers that Tandy herself may be more complicit in the events than she initially seems. Confessions is a psychological rollercoaster, where the villain’s perspective is just as murky and full of twists as the crime at the heart of the story.

6. “Dracula” by Bram Stoker

In Dracula, we’re given a chilling view of the villain through the eyes of the infamous vampire Count Dracula himself. Although the novel is largely told through the perspectives of multiple characters, Dracula’s presence and influence looms over the entire story. Stoker offers us a glimpse into the mind of the charismatic yet terrifying vampire, whose thirst for immortality and control over the living world are driven by desires that stretch far beyond simple bloodlust. This gothic masterpiece explores the darkness within Dracula’s soul and paints a portrait of a villain who is not entirely without reason.

7. “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas

Edmond Dantès may begin as a wrongfully imprisoned man, but his quest for revenge transforms him into a cold and calculating avenger. The Count of Monte Cristo gives readers the opportunity to see the lengths to which Dantès will go to reclaim his life and settle old scores. Dumas intricately unravels Dantès’s transformation from an innocent sailor to a man consumed by vengeance, showing how betrayal, resentment, and power can shape someone’s character into something unrecognizable. The novel is a testament to the fine line between justice and revenge.

8. “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes

While not traditionally a “villain” in the classical sense, the character of Will Traynor in Me Before You presents an unconventional perspective on the idea of selfishness and control. Will’s perspective on life and death, as he deals with the consequences of a tragic accident, challenges readers to question the morality of his decisions. His choices create a storm of emotional conflict for the people around him, especially Louisa, who tries to change his mind. Will’s struggle to reconcile his desires with his limitations raises the question: when is it right to give up?

9. “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo

Don Vito Corleone, the head of the notorious Corleone crime family, is the epitome of a villain told from the inside out. In The Godfather, Puzo explores Corleone’s complicated world of loyalty, power, and revenge, showing the layers of morality that exist within the mob. The novel’s exploration of family, business, and violence from the villain’s perspective reveals a world in which ruthless choices are the price of survival, and loyalty is both a weapon and a weakness.

10. “The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith

Tom Ripley is the ultimate unreliable narrator, a charming yet deeply disturbed character whose life of deception and crime is portrayed with such subtlety that it’s easy to sympathize with him. The Talented Mr. Ripley allows readers to delve into the mind of a man who goes to extreme lengths to forge his own identity—through murder, lies, and manipulation. Highsmith’s portrayal of Ripley blurs the line between sympathy and horror, leaving readers both captivated and disturbed by his descent into moral ambiguity.

Conclusion:

These 10 books offer readers a fascinating look into the minds of some of the most notorious characters in literature, from power-hungry criminals to misunderstood antiheroes. By exploring these stories from the villain’s perspective, we gain a deeper understanding of their motivations, fears, and desires, ultimately forcing us to confront the very nature of morality itself. Villains may do terrible things, but as these novels show, sometimes they are far more complex than we ever imagined. So, embrace the dark side for a moment—after all, it’s often where the most compelling stories lie.