Modern Good Reads discussion

I'd be interested in your views for a blog post I'm intending to write. Do you dislike novels that don't have happy endings, or where good doesn't triumph over bad? Does genre matter here? (It's hard to imagine a romance that doesn't end happily). Let me know!
Maggie James

I like a happy ending but will cope as long as there's a proper ending. Not one where it just fades out. Don't get on with 'slice of life' books where a character doesn't move on or at least learn a little.

I don't know if it has to be a happy ending, but I want the good guy or gal to win. Unless it is part of a continuing series, but in the end I want right to prevail.

I think some of the greatest classic books do not end happily, such as: Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Hemmingway's Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms just to name a few.

Not all books are meant to be happy books, (my reading choices tend to be on the dark side) so I don't mind if it ends unhappily just as long as the author doesn't end it with some weird abrupt or cliff hanger ending, or leaves me with to many unanswered questions. I like closure, which is one reason why I'm not real big on series.

I don't think a happy ending is necessary but I want good to prevail over evil, in a realistic way. Main characters can die. Even a tragedy can happen to the protagonist we were cheering for, but it can't all be for nothing. Otherwise, it would be too depressing.

Aways-- Even if the epilogue indicates things may get ugly again in the future at least things are happy at the moment. I want good to triumph even if it's not going to last forever ala Star Wars--a new hope.

I want a reasonably happy ending if I care about the characters (which I will, else I would never make it to the ending). I know it is a mark of sophistication to have sad or even tragic endings. My opinion is that tragic endings belong in cautionary tales and Greek tragedies. By the way, Antigone is a favorite of mine, and it has a far from happy ending.

If I want unhappy or tragic endings I just pickup my newspaper or check Google News. I prefer happy endings in my books.

I like books with happy endings better. For example, when I read a legal thriller I prefer to see justice done. I didn't like The Appeal by John Grisham because in the end, the good guys lost.

Joel wrote: "I think some of the greatest classic books do not end happily, such as: Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Hemmingway's Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms just to name a few."
Yes- the main one that sticks in my mind is 1984.

Of Mice and Men is the first (only?) book that made me cry. I was very young at the time. I've loved and hated the story ever since.

A.R. wrote: "Of Mice and Men is the first (only?) book that made me cry. I was very young at the time. I've loved and hated the story ever since."

I think it is the only book I have read at least four times.

Some interesting replies here - thanks to everyone who's replied. And I'm going to add Of Mice and Men to my 'to read' shelf - I enjoyed East of Eden and The Grapes of Wrath.

You know what I've noticed? The second book in a series (or film) often ends badly. Catching Fire, for instance. And I think that's actually pretty masterful, because it's like, darn it, now I HAVE to read the third book like RIGHT NOW. It's not wise for the first book to end badly, because the reader isn't as invested and will probably throw the book across the room in disgust, vowing to never read anything by that author again. But the second book... hm. Makes me think about my current WiP, which is a second book in a planned trilogy...

For me, it never has to have a "happy ending." As others say, it needs to tie up all loose ends, and have a good ending, whether "good" means it is a happy ending or not.

Good discussion! I prefer happy endings but I'm okay with "satisfying" endings. If I feel like all questions have been answered and loose ends tied up, then the story is complete and I'm happy.

I don't know if I have answered this yet. Yes! Happy endings! Why would you write fiction and have it end any other way! We can't always keep bad things from happening in real life and things don't always end happy. Fiction is for escape!

Maggie wrote: "I'd be interested in your views for a blog post I'm intending to write. Do you dislike novels that don't have happy endings, or where good doesn't triumph over bad? Does genre matter here? (It's ha..." Hi Maggie, its lovely to see you here. I do like good to eventually triumph over evils but if what I'm reading is part of a series I'm happy to wait. I do like at least one of the main hero's to have a happy outcome.

Maggie wrote: "Joel wrote: "I think some of the greatest classic books do not end happily, such as: Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Hemmingway's Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms just to name a few."
Yes- t..."

I was quite upset by the ending in 'Of mice and Men' but it could have had no other ending. Also 'Great Gatsby'.