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Books that conclude poorly can greatly disappoint readers, particularly those who are deeply passionate about literature. This is because readers don’t just dedicate their time; they also pour their emotional energy into books they believe will be fulfilling from the very beginning.
A poorly executed ending can quickly turn a devoted reader against the book, the author, or both. It makes no difference to the reader that crafting a story is a challenging process. What matters most is that they are taken on an engaging journey that ends in a satisfying and meaningful way.
Readers have little tolerance for books whose endings fall short of their expectations. Here, we’ll explore ten books that failed to deliver satisfying conclusions.
10. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Admittedly, The Handmaid’s Tale is a gripping narrative set in a post-apocalyptic world. The story unfolds in Gilead, a dystopian version of the United States where women are reduced to mere property.
The protagonist, a young woman named Offred, drives the story forward. However, the ending of this otherwise captivating and thought-provoking tale falls flat. The reason? Readers are left with an unresolved conclusion. Atwood never reveals Offred’s ultimate fate or identifies who was behind her mysterious disappearance.
Atwood is a profoundly thoughtful writer who undoubtedly invested significant time crafting the story’s conclusion. As the author, she has every right to choose the ending she deems appropriate. Yet, it’s hard to believe she wouldn’t want her readers to feel a sense of fulfillment upon finishing the book.
9. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
A crucial element of a successful story is the transformation of its main characters. By the end of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck should have undergone a significant change compared to who he was at the story’s outset.
At first, we witness a transformation in Huck as he begins to reject the racism ingrained in him since childhood. This change occurs as he gradually learns about Jim, an escaped slave, during their shared journey. Huck starts to view Jim as an equal human being. However, toward the novel’s conclusion, Huck reunites with his old friend Tom Sawyer and reverts to his former behavior.
When Jim is recaptured, Tom and Huck treat the situation as a mere game, failing to acknowledge the injustice of Jim’s plight. Huck shows no remorse or understanding of the unfairness, and ultimately, he gains no meaningful insight from his time with Jim. As a result, the character development falls flat, and the book’s ending disappoints.
8. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Laurie unexpectedly marries Amy, Jo’s rather spoiled younger sister, leaving Jo disheartened. Jo eventually moves on, establishing a school and pursuing a career in teaching. She does marry in the end, but her choice is Professor Bhaer, who lacks the charisma and energy of Laurie.
Readers were dissatisfied with Jo’s ultimate romantic choice. A more fitting conclusion might have been for Jo to remain independent, immersing herself in her love for literature and education instead.
7. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
The first installment of The Hunger Games captivated readers, compelling them to follow Collins through the entire trilogy. However, when comparing the three books, it becomes evident that her writing begins to lose its initial vigor.
By the conclusion of the third book, some argue that Collins opted for a conventional happily-ever-after ending. This feels inconsistent, as Katniss shows little romantic interest in Peeta throughout most of the series. Their union at the end of the trilogy feels unconvincing, especially since Katniss is portrayed as a fiercely independent character capable of caring for herself and her family.
While pairing Katniss and Peeta may have been the popular choice, many readers found this ending to be a letdown.
6. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Gone Girl revolves around a deeply troubled married couple, Amy and Nick. Both characters are flawed in their own right, but together, they elevate dysfunction to an entirely new level.
Amy, a narcissist, devises a plan to frame Nick for her murder after enduring his infidelity. Nick, however, is portrayed as oblivious and lacking depth, navigating life without much self-awareness.
The narrative begins with Amy as the more sympathetic figure but concludes with Nick assuming that role, which feels jarring given his unlikable and unfaithful nature. It’s challenging to empathize with a husband who betrays his spouse.
5. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is filled with whimsical and fantastical events. Alice consumes a strange potion that causes her to shrink unexpectedly. She even engages in a game of croquet with a flamingo. Given the surreal nature of Alice’s journey, an ambiguous ending might have been more fitting, aligning better with the story’s overall theme.
Instead, Carroll concludes the tale by revealing it was all a dream. This decision may have been influenced by the expectations of the time or pressure from his publisher to satisfy readers. Regardless, the “it was all a dream” ending feels like an easy way out and diminishes the story’s imaginative impact.
4. Road Ends by Mary Lawson
Road Ends is set in a remote Canadian logging town during the 1960s, focusing on the dysfunctional Cartright family. With eight sons and one daughter, Megan Cartright, the family is deeply troubled, and Megan is thrust into the role of caretaker for everyone.
Eventually, Megan escapes to London, England, seeking to build her own life. However, when letters from her family arrive, the pull of responsibility proves stronger than her personal aspirations. The story concludes on a disappointing note as Megan decides to return home, resuming her role as the family’s caregiver.
The ending of this book disappoints because readers dislike seeing a character make progress only to regress. Perhaps it feels too relatable, as the conclusion crushes any sense of hope.
3. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
The story revolves around a sinister American tycoon named Ratchett, who is found murdered in his locked train compartment. Hercule Poirot, aboard the snowbound train, deduces that Ratchett, stabbed twelve times, was killed by all the other passengers, excluding himself.
In the end, Poirot, who views Ratchett as a “beast,” implicitly excuses the murderers by allowing them to go free. While the mystery is engaging, the ending falls flat because it feels implausible and contradicts Poirot’s strict moral principles.
2. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Great Expectations follows Pip, a blacksmith’s apprentice, who unexpectedly inherits wealth but quickly wastes it after moving to the city.
For generations, Great Expectations has been celebrated as a literary masterpiece. Interestingly, Charles Dickens wrote two endings for the story. The one he chose, influenced by a friend’s suggestion, adheres to a happily-ever-after formula, which many argue doesn’t align with the story’s tone.
The chosen ending feels overly optimistic and out of place, detracting from the narrative’s coherence and pulling readers out of the story. This incongruity makes the conclusion a letdown.
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
The final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort is a thrilling, life-or-death battle that serves as a fitting climax to the series. However, the epilogue, set nineteen years later, feels overly tidy and sentimental, detracting from the story’s impact.
Harry and Ginny, as well as Hermione and Ron, end up married, with their lives seemingly perfect. However, this fairy-tale conclusion feels overly simplistic given the immense trials and tribulations the trio endured throughout the series.
Crafting the perfect ending for a cherished series is no easy task. J. K. Rowling undoubtedly deliberated extensively over the conclusion, ultimately choosing to leave her characters in a state of happiness. Perhaps she believed Harry, Hermione, and Ron had faced enough adversity and deserved a peaceful, unchallenged future.
