I don't know how or why it happened but apparently I've come off in some of my reviews and in some of the things I say as someone who hates books that are sad and offer no happy ending. If you knew me, really knew me, you would hysterically laugh at this.
I'm the girl who got reamed for laughing maliciously at the end of Titanic when old Leo slips away into the water. Heck, I was anxiously awaiting it. I'm the girl who's favorite Shakespeare is Hamlet. Can you say depress-fest? I'm the girl who actually liked the end of The Hunger Games series. I'm the girl who roots for characters to die in the end of books and movies just for the sad ending! So, please, let's not assume anymore that I don't like sad books. I LOVE them! Why, you ask? Because sad endings, "good" sad endings, are either bittersweet. (And who doesn't love a bittersweet ending?) Or a result of the characters actions, thus, teaching us an important lesson about are own actions.
However, I do not like books that use sadness as a selling tactic. I wasn't fond of The Help because there just wasn't quite enough hope offered. (come on, people, what really changed at the end of that book?!) I wasn't tricked into liking The Kite Runner because of the so called selfless MC. And I wasn't touched to tears by the self sacrificing in Daughter of the Forest. I guess my like or dislike of sad books has more to do with the realness of the stories than the, let's-make-people-cry-and-then-they'll-think-they-were-moved-by-this-bull-crap.
Phew! Now that I have that off my chest...I'll go ahead and open up this discussion. Do you love tragic endings? Or do you prefer bittersweet? Or...are you against any sad endings and only like warm fuzzy books? That's OK if you do; I'm not saying it's a bad thing; I just don't want people having false perceptions of me anymore. ;)
This is interesting. The Titanic thing sounds like something I would do. Funny thing is, I've never seen that movie all the way through. But if I ever watch it, I'll probably laugh at the end thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteI have a love/hate relationship with sad endings. I like it when things work out, but when they don't, it kind of has a real feel to them. And there are some books that I still like even though somebody important dies.
This is the third time I've written you this message. if it doesn't publish this time I may scream loud enough for you to hear me all the way from Loa.
ReplyDeleteI don't care about sad endings or how you feel about them but I reeeally want to snuggle that poor, poor kitty.
You know, I always think sad endings or bittersweet endings are the books I remember the longest and make my favorites (Gone With the Wind comes to mind). But, on the other hand, I like to have a happy ending too. I guess I like a mixed bag.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the book for me. If it's realistic fiction, I prefer realistic endings, which are usually bittersweet or not contrived into being happy just because. If it's a fairytale type story(any fairytale--fantasy, contemporary, sci fi, etc.), I want my happy ending, dang it!
ReplyDeleteI also loved the ending to The Hunger Games. I wasn't disappointed or unhappy at all. I do wish that we would've seen more of Katniss and Peeta's reunion, but I'm okay with what I got. It seemed more realistic to the series.
I don't like extremely sad endings, though. I want to some hope and some happiness. Otherwise, I'd just watch the news or reality TV.
Boy am I on your side. I want the main character to die - if the story calls for it, not to sell the story. And I hate 'pat' endings that feel like the author was just afraid to let the story go where it needed to go.
ReplyDeleteI obviously love sad endings because most of my favorites fall into this category. But I agree they need to feel real. I guess that's where we could really argue is whether or not a sad ending is "real" or a "manipulation", right? Maybe we'll have to go there someday when we are up to it! I don't know if I could take you on though, I would need back up help. :)
ReplyDeleteWay to think of yet another awesome discussion post! I'm so out of discussion ideas! Ugh.
Jessica, Just beware if you watch Titanic with some poor sap who'll cry and then beat you for laughing. ;)
ReplyDeleteTechno Grandma, I know! That kitty is sooooo cute! I think he's sleeping not sad but, yeah.
Melissa, I liked mixed endings too but I'm tired of people giving me crap if I complain about a sad ending. Some books SHOULD end happy.
Jenni, K, now we need to have a talk about Mockingjay because everyone else I talked to hated the end.
Dana, I know! It's so annoying!
Suey, Hee hee, I'd love to go there but my sister hates to "argue" with me cause I hate to lose and it always ends in her crying.
I guess I don't mind what the how sad the ending is as long as it makes sense to me. I tend to ask to many questions. When watching Titanic I turned to my friend and said " your telling me this huge ship is going down, she has a door, and there is nothing for Jack to float on?" Lets just say my friend got mad at me.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this post I agree with you, and I love The Hunger Games too... now I do leave Mockingjay out of that. But that has nothing to do with the ending. lol
Great post!! I hate endings that are just intended to tug on your heartstrings too, they just irritate me. But bittersweet and tragic endings are definitely the best. Really super happy endings are totally unrealistic as well, nothing ever goes that right!
ReplyDeleteThe Cait Files
Rebecca, LOL, I would have loved to watch Titanic with you!
ReplyDeleteCait, Agreed on all accounts!
I don't mind sad endings if they have a purpose or meaning or are just right for the storyline and in some way expected -- like, it can't be any other way. Now, deliberate tragedy is a different matter entirely, when the goal is to kill someone off for the sob factor. I don't like that. And, sometimes sad is not the right ending for a story. There has to be some build-up.
ReplyDeleteGeez, what a load of hot air I'm full of. LOL Well, anyway, I want to cuddle that kitty, too. :)
Bookfool, I don't see any hot air. ;) I want to snuggle the kitty too!
ReplyDeleteUmmm peeps, wasn't Titanic a true story and the whole point is that Kate (don't know what her character is called. Have never seen the movie)is pretty much the sole survivor? I'm not sure how I feel about bittersweet endings. For sure they are the ones which stay with me the longest after I've read a book/watched a movie, but I'm not sure if I could say I enjoy them. Having said that, I watched Gnomeo and Juliet last night and was pretty annoyed when the couple didn't die.
ReplyDeleteLan, Hmmm, I'm thinking you're a closet sad endings lover. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm so with you! I'm completely fine with sad endings, if they fit the book. I don't like it when the sadness feels wrong or manipulative or something like that. But a book that goes the way it has to go and happens to end up being not happy? That's fine.
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought the Hunger Games series ended perfectly!
Erin, I'm glad I'm finding people who liked the end of Mockingjay. I thought I was all alone. ;)
ReplyDeleteYay for more people who liked how The Hunger Games ended! I thought it was actually going to be even sadder than that, honestly. So I was happy.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I really like a sad story, or one where the good guy doesn't win. But I'm not a fan of those Nicholas Sparks-like books that seem to want to manipulate readers' feelings. I don't like it where a book has lots of danger & then everyone turns out happily-ever-after, either. Basically I like endings that make sense with the rest of the story, happy or sad.
Kathy, So, you liked the ending of Mockingjay too? See, and I thought I was the only one. I HATE Nicholas Spark books!!!
ReplyDeleteI like the way THG ended, although I sort of wish there were another maybe 20 pages to wrap things up.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree - forcibly sad endings have no resonation. If it's sad, it's sad for a reason, not just because.
Sad kitty is cute. ;)
Kaye, Yay, another Hunger Games ending lover. Isn't that kitty cute?
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