Write Reads Podcast discussion

A discussion about the protagonists in Adam Roberts' By Light Alone.
No one can disagree that his protagonists are unlikable, and if you're going to have unlikable characters, there better be some greater purpose so you keep reading the book. In your opinion, does Roberts succeed in doing something with this unlikability?

Unlikable characters help us understand the possible motivations of despicable acts. Hopefully, the reader will feel some respect for the character by the end of the story. The only way for this to work hinges on talents of the author.