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The Great American Read

Villains and Monsters

Season 1 Episode 5 | 53m 53s

How do novels featuring our favorite villains and monsters help us understand why people behave badly? We examine the evil characters in our favorite novels, to find out why we go to the dark side. We also meet authors who have created some of our best-loved villains.

Aired: 10/01/18 | Expires: 03/31/21
The Great American Read is made possible by the Anne Ray Foundation and public television viewers. Additional engagement funding for The Great American Read is made possible by CPB.
Extras
Watch • 0:30
The Great American Read
Grand Finale | Preview
The final episode will celebrate all 100 books and unveil the #1 best-loved book.
Preview: S1 E8 | 0:30
Watch • 55:46
The Great American Read
Grand Finale
The final episode will celebrate all 100 books and unveil the #1 best-loved book.
Episode: S1 E8 | 55:46
Watch • 1:34
The Great American Read
The Great American Read Book Club
Hear from two members of The Great American Read Book Club.
Clip: S1 E8 | 1:34
Watch • 52:24
The Great American Read
Other Worlds
We explore how America’s favorite novels about other worlds reflect our own world.
Episode: S1 E7 | 52:24
Watch • 3:03
The Great American Read
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Author and retired NFL player, Chris Kluwe, discusses The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Clip: S1 E7 | 3:03
Watch • 3:08
The Great American Read
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude, is discussed.
Clip: S1 E7 | 3:08
Watch • 2:56
The Great American Read
Outlander
Author, Diana Gabaldon discusses the Outlander series.
Clip: S1 E7 | 2:56
Watch • 0:30
The Great American Read
Other Worlds | Preview
We explore how America’s favorite novels about other worlds reflect our own world.
Preview: S1 E7 | 0:30
Watch • 3:42
The Great American Read
Anne of Green Gables
Margaret Atwood and others discuss Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel, Anne of Green Gables.
Clip: S1 E6 | 3:42
Watch • 3:28
The Great American Read
Little Women
Gayle King and others discuss Louisa May Alcott's novel, Little Women.
Clip: S1 E6 | 3:28
Latest Episodes
Watch • 55:46
The Great American Read
Grand Finale
The final episode will celebrate all 100 books and unveil the #1 best-loved book.
Episode: S1 E8 | 55:46
Watch • 52:24
The Great American Read
Other Worlds
We explore how America’s favorite novels about other worlds reflect our own world.
Episode: S1 E7 | 52:24
Watch • 52:19
The Great American Read
What We Do For Love
We explore books that show what we do for love, in all its many forms.
Episode: S1 E6 | 52:19
Watch • 52:25
The Great American Read
Heroes
We highlight books that feature heroic characters and explore why we love them.
Episode: S1 E4 | 52:25
Watch • 52:24
The Great American Read
Who Am I?
How do the books we love answer the question “Who am I?”
Episode: S1 E3 | 52:24
Watch • 53:35
The Great American Read
Fall Kick-off
The search for America’s best-loved novel hits high gear as votes roll in.
Episode: S1 E2 | 53:35
Watch • 1:51:35
The Great American Read
Launch Special
America’s 100 best-loved books are revealed, launching the campaign & the nationwide vote.
Episode: S1 E1 | 1:51:35