Question of the Week: Unexpected Endings
by Jenners • 05/03/2010 • Book Talk • 29 Comments
This week’s question comes from Jen D. at Not Now … I’m Reading.
What’s the last book you read that had a totally unexpected ending?
I picked this question because I’m going to review the book I’m about to answer the question with later this week so I thought it would be timely. And the answer is…
Fingersmith by Sarah WatersThough technically, this book has an unexpected middle, three-quarter point and ending! Seriously, I’ve never been taken for a ride and surprised and spun around quite like I was while reading this book. It is a deliciously fun, unexpected thrill ride of a book … and I’m curious to see how my review will come out as I can’t imagine what I can tell you about it that won’t give away the thrill and surprise and sheer unexpectedness of the book. But I’ll come up with something to entice you to give this book a whirl. Check back on Thursday for more details!
And, because I can never just write a short post that gets right to the point, I must share with you some other books that surprised me.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
This is a book that, when you get to the end, causes you to rethink everything you have just read. The basic premise is the story of a boy and a Bengal tiger marooned on a life raft in the sea. But it is about more … a lot more. You have no idea how much more. God, this was a good book. If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favor and get it and read it now. This was one of those books that just blew me away and was one of my favorite reads before I started blogging.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
I read this ages ago but remember thrilling to the twist that Card throws in at the end. This is a sci-fi book but don’t let that turn you off if this isn’t your genre. It is a really really really good book! I would tell you the basic premise, but it has been so long since I read it that I don’t know if I can so I borrowed this from description from Amazon:
Aliens have attacked Earth twice and almost destroyed the human species. To make sure humans win the next encounter, the world government has taken to breeding military geniuses — and then training them in the arts of war… The early training, not surprisingly, takes the form of ‘games’… Ender Wiggin is a genius among geniuses; he wins all the games… He is smart enough to know that time is running out. But is he smart enough to save the planet?
We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
I know not everyone was surprised by the ending, but I was and it made a disturbing book all the more powerful and messed up. The basic plot: An ambivalent mother finds her son Kevin difficult to love. Her husband doesn’t see the same darkness she sees. In a series of letters to her husband, the mother talks about Kevin –openly and honestly — for the first time. As the book evolves, your sense of dread and discomfort build. And then WHAM. You get hit on the head yet again. Disturbing, depressing yet compulsively readable. And the author is a woman, by the way. I read this entire book thinking it was written by a man and then found out it was by a woman. It doesn’t really change anything, but I just wanted to let you know.
Atonement by Ian McEwan
I know there was some kind of surprise at the end but I had no idea what it was. I literally had to backtrack and reread the pertinent paragraph because McEwan just kind of slips it in there and I was like “Whaaaatt???? Did I just read that right?” Then I burst into tears. The basic plot: At its heart, this is a book about paying for the decisions you made in a split second and must live with forever. Set during WWII, it is the classic story of star-crossed lovers and how their lives are changed by one person’s split-second decision that has reverberations for years to come. Pretty good movie too.
So I love love love books with unexpected endings so tell me your favorites!!! I want more to add to my bookshelves!
I haven't read any of these! (hiding head in shame) — but I won't be reading Atonement — I am not a McEwan fan and I hated the movie.
The Thirteenth Tale is twisty and deranged. I can't think of any others right now because my brain is still trying to process the twists and shocks of LOST last night!
I've been wanting to read Ender's Game but haven't because I'm not a big fan of science fiction. I'll have to give it a try.
Life of Pi was a book club read for me and we had a big debate about what really happened. I'm still not sure.
I totally agree with Atonement. I was so heartbroken. I still loved the book but the ending bothered me for days after finishing it!
I read Ender's Game for the first time in 2008 and it was one of my favorite books that year.
Atonement made me so angry that I wanted to throw the book out of the window. I cried too because I got so invested in that story and then the author took the reader for a spin: )
Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon has a "Holy cow! Really?" ending to it. I liked it but I think it annoyed a fair number of people.
I read two last year with endings that surprised me. "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult and "The Sister" by Poppy Adams.
Good picks. Like "Pi" a lot. LOVE "Atonement." Both did a number on me. "Ender's Game" is an old friend, which is your fault — you put me onto O.S.Card so long ago that it was when he still knew how to write.
Charlotte Bronte's "Villette" has a killer ending twist so subtle that people often miss it. And "Mill on the Floss" didn't exactly end how I thought it would, either.
lol…my students always tease me and say that i only give them books in which the characters DIE at the end. either that or the book doesn't have a sufficient and tidy conclusion for them–they like endings that are tidy with nice wrapping and bows.
as for surprise endings…none are coming to mind right this second but i hate when authors find the need to kill off a character just to kill off a character.
ps. HEY!!! you added the name/url thing! thank you sooooo much.
I haven't read any throw me for a loop endings lately. In the past, yes, but this year seems to be the year of fairly predictable endings. One Amazing Thing had an abrupt ending, that's as close as I can come.
Mine would have to be Caught; Coben — lots of twists and turns.
Fingersmith is one I would like to read….. thanks for the reminder about what a good read this book is Jenners
Life Of Pi was indeed a brilliant book and I agree with your review of it 100%. As for Atonement? I'm yet to discover just why so many think it is a wonderful read, obviously something I'm missing – so many report that they were moved to tears and I'm afraid I just can't see why.
Fingersmith, Life of Pi, and Ender's Game are three books that really grabbed me when I read them. I have to admit I didn't read Atonement; I got a little ways in and realized I would just find it frustrating instead of pleasurable.
I thought Lionel Shriver was a man for a long time too. Sort of an odd name for a woman.
Boy do I agree with you on The Life of Pi and Atonement. Their endings threw me for a loop, though.
HI Jen: Thanks for stopping by my Sugar Queen post, 4.999 is my star rating for his book, because even though I liked the book, it was good, and easy to read, it was not a world shattering story, that I reserve for books that keep me awake at night, or thinking about it all the time.
I can't wait to hear what you will say about Fingersmith. I'm so glad you ended up liking it so much! Wasn't it the most thrilling reading roller coaster ride you've ever been on?
You make ALL these sound wonderful! I thought about reading Atonement until my daughter read it, hated it, then proceeded to tell me every detail. Don't have much desire to read it now.
Totally agree on Fingersmith and Life of Pi. And since I love those kinds of books, I was all ready to get the Kevin book, but you used too many D words: dread, discomfort, disturbing AND depressing. And then Sandy added dreadful. Too many D words!
I hate McEwan. I saw the movie though and I don't remember a shocking ending. I just remember hating the little brat sister, and thinking the movie was REALLY about Another Opportunity to Look at Keira Knightly.
I've read all of those, except Fingersmith, and you're so right. They all have those wonderful, wait what??!!?! moments. The worst is when someone ruins it for you before you can get to it.
I haven't read any of these books.
The one book I can think of off hand with a surprise ending is "my sister's Keeper"
Well, now I really want to read Fingersmith! Look Again by Lisa Scottoline surprised me.
I have Fingersmith in my pile but I wasn't sure if I was going to read-thank you for encouraging me! I will get started on that as soon as I can.
I've added Fingersmith to my TBR pile. I'm all over anything described as an unexpectd thrill ride.
Yes, Life of Pi certainly surprised me, I haven't read any of the others you listed but Fingersmiths is on the TBR pile.
Totally agree with Fingersmith, the ultimate twisty book! The Little Stranger had an ending that knocked me down as well! I also was blown away by Shutter Island also. Had to sit down to listen to it!
I read The Life of Pi several years ago, and while I liked it, I really think I had my head up my butt. I don't think I got it. So anyway, book club just chose it, so I shall get a second chance.
We Need to Talk About Kevin is seriously just dreadful at the end. I knew what was coming, but it didn't soften the blow whatsoever.
The Life of Pi is in my stack of books that I have waiting to be read. I'll have to get to it soon.
The way you describe Fingersmith is the way I feel about Liar by Justine Larbalestier. I really need to read Fingersmith. I keep saying this, but I'm planning to finally do it in June or July!