To me, what makes the show interesting is its historical setting, as well as the character it set out to portray, who is (for lack of a better word) disillusioned.
So by this I mean I think a character who is mindful of the culture around them, and the nature of truth. Rustin is somewhat philosophical, but in a way which grinds against the people he meets, regardless, he doesn’t give up his view.
I suppose at the end of the day I want characters like Rustin, but then also like Naismith from Vorkosigan saga. A trait which they both share is facing death repeatedly for the sake of the greater good, not necessarily getting pride from it but instead a morbid understanding of the world (however misplaced that may be) where they act somewhat cold but very attentive.
Rustin isn’t cold, he’s something else. Anyway, although I’d like to hear crime novels I’m more just interested in more of this character type (especially culture clash, but against a culture which is full of shibboleths) so fantasy, sci-fi, etc. is welcome by me.
The thing I think is important is that this character is in some sort of a journey, they’ve been broken down in some way and they’re trying to recompose themselves (preferably into someone who wants to seek truth in whichever way they do).
So yeah, a book with a character who has dealt with a lot of death and the sacrifice of their own body for the greater good, ending up becoming lost (by being lost I mean ‘disillusioned’) and resolving into a person who settles down/gains an appreciation for life.
TL;DR: Rustin is an abrasive detective character who is somewhat philosophical, but becomes more mindful by the end of the story.
by theguyatthebac2