Literature has its fair share of bad dads. There are those who drink, beat, meddle, belittle and steal, among far more horrifying acts. To celebrate Father's Day, I've picked five dreadful dads featured in some great books and one play. You'll be thankful these awful guys aren't your pop.
Jack Torrence in The Shining. What could go wrong when your abusive, alcoholic dad becomes the caretaker of an isolated hotel and descends into madness?
Mr. Harry Wormwood in Matilda. Both of Matilda's parents have horrendous taste and are terrible people who go as far as forbidding her from reading books. Her father, a self-absorbed and crooked used car salesman, accuses his daughter of being "stupid" and a "liar."
King Lear in King Lear. Vain old Lear is ready to retire and plans to divvy up the kingdom between his three daughters. Thing is, the daughter who slathers on the most flattery will be the one who walks away with the largest share. Lear's terrible idea leads to some serious tragedy.
Tywin Lannister in George R.R. Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series. This ruthless father blames his son Tyrion for his wife's death as well as annuls his son's marriage. And it only gets worse from there.
Pap Finn in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Huck's pop is an alcoholic racist who beats him, extorts money from him and kidnaps him.
Who is your favorite bad dad?
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