by Kathy Cannon Wiechman
Think of the ending of your favorite book. Did it leave you wanting more? Wiping tears? Did it surprise you? Did it make you think? Did you close the cover with a satisfied smile?
Great books have ended with all of these possibilities. If the ending stayed with you, it was probably a good book.
| Last scene of Gone with the Wind. The book was written by Margaret Mitchell. |
When a book makes me cry, it means I became emotionally involved with the characters. For me, that’s a sign of a good book. The book has to make me care. Maybe a character I loved died, but if I cared enough to love that character, it was probably a good book.
| Last scene of A Beautiful Mind. The book was written by Sylvia Nasar. |
A surprise ending is better than a formulaic story, but if the surprise doesn’t feel plausible, it probably isn’t a good book. A plot twist I wasn’t expecting can work well, as long as it feels real to me.
An ending that makes me think can go either way. Maybe it introduced serious issues I hadn’t thought much about and made me want to know more. Or maybe it just made me scratch my head and ask, “Why did I waste my time?”
Personally, I don’t like sad endings, but bittersweet is OK. Hopeful is good. It doesn’t have to be wrapped up in a neat package, but I don’t want loose threads left hanging. I like to have that satisfied smile, even as I wipe away the tears.
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| Last scene of Last of the Mohicans. The book was written by James Fenimore Cooper. |
I think endings tend to be the failing or making of some of the best books. I loved Fault in Our Stars for the ending (and everything else.) But one of my favorite books is I Am the Messenger and , to be honest, the ending was its weakest attribute. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Juliet. I haven't read I Am the Messenger. I'll have to put it on my To-read list.
DeleteA good ending is when you want more. By the way my photo blog did not include the tower of London - which is a great place, because it was pics of Nottingham - home of robin Hood. thanks for the comment
ReplyDeleteYou're right. A good ending is when you don't want the book to end. Thanks for your comment.
Deletethe end of Time Travellers Wife, where he comes back to her for that one tiny moment in her old age, it is beautifully poignant.
ReplyDeleteYes! A poignant ending is a good one. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteOh boy, there are some books I've really enjoyed that have had awful/non-existant endings, which stuck with me almost as much as great endings. For example, Snow Crash, by Neil Stephenson, Hyperion by Dan Simmons and Dune by Frank Herbert. All great books with poor endings.
ReplyDeleteAs to good endings, the end of A Tale of Two Cities made me cry. The end of A Game of Thrones made me want to throw the book across the room out of rage and a bloodthirsty need for revenge against fictional characters. I'll have to think some more about good endings that I actually enjoyed reading... hrmmm...
Tale of Two Cities made me cry, too, even when I read it a second time & knew what was going to happen. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteSome titles on my recently-read list that had very satisfying endings: HATTIE EVER AFTER by Kirby Larson, THE BRIDE'S FAREWELL by Meg Rosoff, EVERYTHING ON A WAFFLE by Polly Horvath and GONE FISHING by Tamera Will Wissinger.
ReplyDeleteI too love book that makes me tear-y in that I-care-about-you-so-much way. I strive to write books like that.
Me, too! If my writing touches someone, I did my job. I haven't read GONE FISHING. Will have to look for it. Thanks for the recommendation.
DeleteGone. With. The. Wind. YESSSSSSS!! I have already mentioned Scarlett O'Hara in two of my A-Z blog posts this year!! Endings can make or break a book for the reader. You can like 99% of the book but if the ending is bad, it ruins the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic!
Dana
Waiter, drink please!
Ab-so-lutely! I have read books that made me want to throw them in the fire when I finished. But I love Scarlett & Rhett. That book covers so many emotions & takes the reader on a real journey. Thanks for your comment.
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