There are times when I feel like the book is just getting started when the book ends but then again there are times I feel a sense of closure from a book even if there is more books in the series. I haven’t read the rest of The Hunger Games series because I felt like the book ended at a good place and all I could see is an annoying love triangle if I went any further. But that might be another post; so I will head back to the original question. There are so many books I would love to have seen continued where I felt the story was just getting started or even that there was more of the story to be told. In Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters, Nancy is finally happy and I would like to know what happens next. Or Looking for Alaska by John Green where I feel we can continue Miles story and explore more of his life and the effects Alaska had on him thoughout the rest of his life; even though I think John Green did end the book in a good place. Also speaking of John Green, in Will Grayson Will Grayson, Tiny is finally appreciated at the end, I’m sure there is more of a story to tell there as well.
I know authors finish a story and that’s it, the characters cease to exist beyond that, but it is really hard not to wonder what might happen to these characters that we have formed a bond with. I’m not sure but I think this is why people write fanfic. The fall in love with these great characters and they want them to keep on living in one form or another.
I felt that way about State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. I’m still wanting to know what happens in the months and years after the book ended.
How do you cope?
Try to keep it out of my mind and move onto the next book. Hope that someday the author expands on the story either in another book or through an interview.
Hopefully she does
I stopped at the first Hunger Games book for the same reason. I felt that the story was complete as it was, and that what happens next could be extrapolated from the information given in that single volume.
I tend to be fairly content with open endings as well, but I LOATHE cliffhangers with an angry, angry, violent passion.
Will you read the rest? Cliffhangers are so annoying, especially if you have to wait for the next book
I felt the same way about the hunger games and REALLY REALLY wanted to stop after the first book……but i read the other books anyway ;)…….and my advice: read the other books….Suzanne Collins’s main purpose was to explore the effects of war and violence on those coming of age and the actual “WAR” doesn’t really start until the 2nd book (Catching Fire)….The first book was basically written for entertainment…so although the hunger games is a great place to stop , the other books are necessary if you want A COMPLETE STORY that is quite different from the one you have told through the first book….
It was a great step for Collins as a writer, although I am not sure whether she did it consciously…..the first book grasped a HUGE crowd of youngsters with the nail-biting plot and the 2nd and 3rd books allowed Suzanne to put forward themes that matters to us, as humans in front of her crowd….If she would have dived into the war-theme straight away it would have NEVER ENGAGED THE CROWD OF YOUNGSTERS IT WAS WRITTEN FOR……….because let’s face no 21st century lad would pick up a book that is “just-so-literary”…….and themes concerning morality, wars and what it means to be a human doesn’t really appeal to teenagers like me, until the book has a good plot and a relate-able character through whose point-of-view I am going to experience the story….until, of course, I am trying to be a showoff
The way Suzanne portrayed a war in these 3 books is far more relevant to teenagers than any GREAT classic will ever ever be…..and still the book manages to portray reality…..the ending is also perfect……there is a sense of relief……..everything is not okay, because it isn’t, but there is still hope (yes, i know i am getting sentimental but it’s just this book is very close to my heart and I want you to give it a chance….)
Phew!
FINAL WORDS: Give the other books a chance…..you definitely won’t regret it, but I must warn you, the 2nd and 3rd books are VERY different from the 1st……the plot is still the same but the themes change and you delve into the real, darker and more twisted and story….each book is a must if you want to know the COMPLETE STORY..
I might give them a go before the movies but no rush