The Three Types of Novel Endings
Should Your Book Have a Happy, Sad, or Ambiguous Ending?
According to a survey published for World Book Day, around 41 per cent of the 1,740 people questioned were in favor of books with happy endings, as opposed to 2.2 per cent who liked sad endings. Women were more likely than men to prefer a happy ending, and young people were more likely to prefer a sad ending than those over 40.
This goes to show that readers have different expectations. Some want happy endings and others want grim realism. When deciding on an outcome for your novel it is wise to consider the reader expectation in the genre you are writing for and the overall theme of your book.
Happy Endings
Do books with happy endings sell better? According to the same survey, almost a quarter of the people interviewed felt that a happy ending lifted their spirits and put them in a good mood. Many people read for escape from the unpleasantness of everyday life. A book with a happy outcome cheers them and makes them feel satisfied. Generally, romance readers expect a kiss at the end and a "they lived happily ever after". (though there are exceptions to this rule). If readers are counting on an upbeat outcome, they may be disappointed by a sad one. For lighter genres, books with happy endings are much more likely to sell.
Novels with Happy Endings:
- Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen
- Jayne Eyre Charlotte Bronte
- To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee
- All books by romance author Barbara Cartland
Sad Endings
As many mainstream and literary novels have unhappy endings as happy ones. An unhappy ending can instigate serious thought and often seems to haunt the reader long after the book is put aside. Most books that end tragically are trying to make a point. In a romance, the hero or heroine learns something about love, only in the case of the unhappy ending they learn it a little too late. In many classic novels such as A Tale of Two Cities, the ending is bittersweet because of sacrifice and a noble deed. In Of Mice and Men, George did what had to be done, regardless of his own feelings. Many books with unhappy endings such as Tess of the D'Urbervilles reflect social injustice of the times. Many of Edith Wharton’s novels contain this theme, such as The House of Mirth and Ethan Frome.
Romances with Unhappy Outcomes:
- Gone with the Wind Margaret Mitchell
- Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte
- The Bridges of Madison County Robert James Waller
Literary Tales with Noble Deeds that Lead to Tragic Conclusions:
- A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens
- Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck
Social Injustice:
- Tess of the Durbervilles Thomas Hardy
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame Victor Hugo
- Ethan Frome Edith Wharton
Ambiguous Endings
Some successful novels have ambiguous endings. They leave it up to the reader just what the final outcome will be. Many, such as Orwell’s 1984 deal with futuristic societies and are "wakeup calls" as to what might happen if people don't change their ways.
Novels with Ambiguous Ending
- The Catcher in the Rye J. D. Salinger
- 1984 George Orwell
- The Giver (young adult) Lois Lowry
Whatever kind of ending you choose, the conclusion should fit the genre you are writing for, the novel, and the theme. Though most readers prefer an upbeat ending, is much more important that an ending be satisfying than happy.
Sources:
Statistics from a poll from World Book Day Survey, 2006, commissioned by the organizers of Word Book Day and analyzed by Education Direct.The survey of 1,740 respondents was carried out on the World Book Day website.
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Happy or Sad Ending?
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