Fangirlish writers adore their fictional characters. We all have our favorites from a variety of television shows especially. So in a fit of genius or insanity because we are all fannishly busy stressing over making sure readers have preview guides, recaps and a multitude of opinions on these television universes; now we’re going to combine our passion for reading with fangirling TV — by figuring out what our favorite characters would be reading and why you should be reading those books. Not only that, Fangirlish created a Goodreads account and we will be opening up the discussion there and taking suggestions for which fictional persons you would like bookishly profiled.
Damien Darhk is more than just one of the scariest villains the Green Arrow has faced; he’s also a smart man. A real smart man. He always looks like he knows more than everyone else, and maybe it’s because he actually does. And books are the source of all knowledge, aren’t they?
So, what does a guy like Damien Darhk read? Here’s are my best attempts at answering that exact question:
- The Cloud of Unkowing, Anonymous. Because a book on mysticism, much less one of THE most consulted guides on how to surrender one’s mind and ego to the realm of “unknowing,” sounds like just the thing Damien Darhk would approve of. Not that he’s taking all the book’s advice, no. He’s the type to take what he likes and discard the rest.
- Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Friedrich Nietzsche. The more I think about it the more I’m convinced Nietzsche would be like Damien Darhk’s mentor and Thus Spoke Zarathustra his bible. The book is basically a long, drawn out argument on how the meaning of existence is not to be found in religious pieties or meek submission to authority, but in an all-powerful life force: passionate, chaotic and free.
- The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, William Blake. What does a man like Damien Darhk read for leisure, you ask? Something profound and ridiculously complicated, of course.
- Fifty Shades of Grey, E.L James. Maybe he borrowed it from his wife – or maybe she borrowed it from him, either way, they both seem the type for rough, somewhat dysfunctional love. Nothing says I love you quite like pain, right?
- Vegetable Gardening For Dummies. He was growing crops, after all. And a man like Damien Darhk doesn’t seem like he came into this knowledge in a natural way. So, books it is. And hey, we might all try to hide these types of books, but they’re very good at simple explanations. We can all pretend we knew everything afterwards.
Agree? Disagree? Have any other books you think our favorite/not so favorite bad guy would be reading? Join us on Goodreads as we discuss this exact thing. And, of course, check out our profile and be sure to let us know what character you want to see profiled next!
Arrow airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on the CW.