Frustrating book endings

hyacinth003 · ‎03-12-2010

Last night I finished a book called "You Will Know Me" by Megan Abbott. It was the story of a family with a teenage girl who was an elite gymnast. Woven into the story was the death of a young man that most of the other characters knew.

The end of the book went to the gymnastic meet where the girl would compete for a potential shot at the Olympics. The book ends without letting the reader know if she was able to or not. I found this a most unsatisfying ending. The author might say they let the reader end the story with either outcome. This was a culmination of this family's life for many years - that of basing much of their lives on her gymnastics.

I really hated the non-ending of the story!

Hyacinth

Q4u · ‎03-17-2010

Do you think this semi-open ended ending was done on purpose in order to have a sequel book? The writers often look to book #2 while writing book #1. I agree, it's unsatisfactory and often frustrates me so that I don't buy book #2....

*~"Never eat more than you can lift......" Miss Piggy~*

GSPgirl · ‎01-03-2012

@hyacinth003 wrote:
Last night I finished a book called "You Will Know Me" by Megan Abbott. It was the story of a family with a teenage girl who was an elite gymnast. Woven into the story was the death of a young man that most of the other characters knew.

The end of the book went to the gymnastic meet where the girl would compete for a potential shot at the Olympics. The book ends without letting the reader know if she was able to or not. I found this a most unsatisfying ending. The author might say they let the reader end the story with either outcome. This was a culmination of this family's life for many years - that of basing much of their lives on her gymnastics.

I really hated the non-ending of the story!

Hyacinth

I think it's a major cop out when authors do this. What, you couldn't think of a good ending?

BornToShop · ‎03-10-2010

So far this year for me was "Behind Her Eyes" by Sarah Pinborough. I am still reeling over this one...!

Perkup · ‎03-09-2010

This non-ending ending has been one of frustration for me for many years. My first experience with Rhett Butler walking out the door and leaving Scarlett with "Tomorrow is another day". Unfortunately tomorrow didn't come. I've always hated that ending. I know a sequil was written, but . . . . . Always wondered if Margaret Mitchell might have written a sequel had she lived.

insomniac2 · ‎02-20-2016

It's tempting to thank Hyacinth for the spoiler, but, on the other hand, she's saved many readers their time!

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

@hyacinth003, at those times, that's when I made up my own endings.

Q4u · ‎03-17-2010

@GSPgirl wrote:
@hyacinth003 wrote:
Last night I finished a book called "You Will Know Me" by Megan Abbott. It was the story of a family with a teenage girl who was an elite gymnast. Woven into the story was the death of a young man that most of the other characters knew.

The end of the book went to the gymnastic meet where the girl would compete for a potential shot at the Olympics. The book ends without letting the reader know if she was able to or not. I found this a most unsatisfying ending. The author might say they let the reader end the story with either outcome. This was a culmination of this family's life for many years - that of basing much of their lives on her gymnastics.

I really hated the non-ending of the story!

Hyacinth
I think it's a major cop out when authors do this. What, you couldn't think of a good ending?

Often the ending/results are in book #2, which will then take the hero/heroine onward in a new direction... the author knows what the ending will be.... but wants another book sale to carry it forward. Cop out is right!

*~"Never eat more than you can lift......" Miss Piggy~*

hyacinth003 · ‎03-12-2010

I hadn't thought of the sequel possibility. I will need to look that up.

It didn't feel like it to me, but I will look into it.

I really didn't give a spoiler, because there IS NO spoiler!

Hyacinth

CANDLEQUEEN · ‎03-09-2010

@BornToShop wrote:
So far this year for me was "Behind Her Eyes" by Sarah Pinborough. I am still reeling over this one...!

@BornToShop I am too, but I am going to give this book to my friend who is also an avid reader, and see what she thinks......What a crazy ending!!!!!! It ruined the book for me quite frankly.....