ZD – it is true that it is important to portray Rabbanim as complex human beings who had to work on themselves to become what they are as opposed to portraying them as perfect malachim. That is the only way that they can be role models for us. Rav Hutner writes about how it is problematic that Gedolim are portrayed as though they were born perfect which makes us feel like we can’t emulate them.
But, that has absolutely nothing to do with the problems with Chaim Potok’s books. The problems are as I stated above. And regarding Reb Saunders, the issue is not that he is portrayed as a human being with imperfections, but that he is portrayed inaccurately and negatively.