Thursday, January 28, 2010

Booking Through Thursday- Twisty

btt button

Jackie says, “I love books with complicated plots and unexpected endings. What is your favourite book with a fantastic twist at the end?”

So, today’s question is in two parts.

1. Do YOU like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings?

I do like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings- but only if the ending makes sense for the plot and characters and doesn't violate the spirit of the book. In other words, I don't like an ending that comes out of nowhere but I think a good writer can generate an unexpected ending that still makes sense.

2. What book with a surprise ending is your favorite? Or your least favorite?

Possession, by A.S. Byatt, has a heartbreaking surprise ending that made me love the book even more than I was loving it as I read it; Godmother, by Carolyn Turgeon, had a surprise ending that made me want to throw the book out of the window! The ending to Ian McEwan's Amsterdam was likewise infuriating!

You can read more Booking Through Thursday here.

14 comments:

Jennifer said...

Possession will be added to by TBR list. My answers are here: http://www.rundpinne.com/2010/01/booking-through-thursday-complicated.html

Michelle said...

I agree. I don't mind an unexpected ending, as long as it makes sense!

Here's mine:
http://literarilyspeaking1.blogspot.com/2010/01/booking-through-thursday-january-28.html

Anonymous said...

I've had Possession on my TBR forever. Your list made me think of a surprise ending that I wasn't sure I liked, one I had forgotten about when I wrote my post: Bel Canto. I was quite frustrated by the ending.

gautami tripathy said...

I like unexpected endings!

Booking through twisty

Kristen M. said...

I think it's amusing that the answers that are coming up on this one all look like this --
"I love twisty endings ... except in THIS book". It must be the endings that we hate that stay with us longer.

Lenore Appelhans said...

My favorite twisty book is without a doubt Fingersmith by Sarah Waters!!

bermudaonion said...

I agree with you, but there are times that I find a predictable plot comforting and just what the doctor ordered.

Unknown said...

I wasn't a fan of Amsterdam either!

I keep hearing how wonderful Possession is - I'll have to get round to reading it one day!

Anonymous said...

I enjoy complicated plots and multiple layers of meanings, but they are not necessary for me to like a book. It all depends whether I resonate with the story.

Anonymous said...

You know I totally agree with you on Possession. That book is amazing, and no matter when I reread it, it stimulates me to no end. I am so thrilled to have the first hard cover edition...and have treasured it throughout the years.

Anonymous said...

I had a similar reaction to Godmother :)

pussreboots said...

I hate it when books end with something completely out of the blue. My post is here.

Ana S. said...

Oh, the ending of Possession! I have no words to express how much I love it.

Zibilee said...

I definitely agree about the endings of Possession and Amsterdam. Amsterdam's ending pissed me off so much that I felt as though reading the book was a big waste of time. I agree about your feelings for unexpected endings, they can be wonderful if done right, and then again, there was Amsterdam.....