ENDINGS

If you want to read about the process of putting together the collection MONKEY JUSTICE with SNUBNOSE PRESS, you can find an interview by Elaine Ash with Brian Lindenmuth right here.



I am sure I've asked this question before but it came up when I read a book review that liked many things about a novel, but found fault with the ending in that the reviewer claimed to have seen it coming.

This sort of surprised me because I almost never expect to be surprised by the ending unless I am reading classic mysteries or cozies. This book was neither. In a way, endings should be inevitable--given what we know about the characters.

If the writing is good, the characters interesting, I am never trying to see past the writing to the ending. Unless, as I said, the story is set up like an Agatha Christie whodunnit where the ending trumps everything.

What about you? As you read, are you trying to anticipate the ending? Can an ordinary ending ruin a good book? Does an ending out of left field, leave you cold?

HOW IMPORTANT ARE ENDINGS? HOW IMPORTANT IS BEING SURPRISED?