Skip to main content
Access to this video is a benefit for members through
Back to Show
The Great American Read

Villains and Monsters

Season 1 Episode 5

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.

Watch Preview
Support Provided By
Grand Finale
Unlock with PBS Passport
55:46
The final episode will celebrate all 100 books and unveil the #1 best-loved book.
Other Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:24
We explore how America’s favorite novels about other worlds reflect our own world.
What We Do For Love
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:19
We explore books that show what we do for love, in all its many forms.
Heroes
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:25
We highlight books that feature heroic characters and explore why we love them.
Who Am I?
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:24
How do the books we love answer the question “Who am I?”
Fall Kick-off
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:35
The search for America’s best-loved novel hits high gear as votes roll in.
Launch Special
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:51:35
America’s 100 best-loved books are revealed, launching the campaign & the nationwide vote.
Active loading indicator