Awhile back, somewhere, I don't know if it was someone's blog post, or a BTT, or what, but the question came up about books with unforgettable endings. At the time I offered up a small list, but since then I've been thinking it would be a great Top Ten list. So here's my list of books with wow endings! We're talking not necessarily happy or sad, and not cliff hangers (that's a different list!), but endings that you won't forget, ones that make you go "Wait, WHAT?" or make you say "I can't believe that just happened!"
Suey's Top Ten Wow Endings
1. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
2. Pope Joan by Donna Wolfolk Cross
3. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
4. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
5. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
6. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
7. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
8. The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
9. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
10. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
I know there's TONS more that should be on the list. Tell me, what did I forget??
NEXT by James Hynes has an incredible ending. I just finished it a few days ago and I'm still shaking my head.
ReplyDeleteMy Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult -- I remember thinking, "Dang -- did that just happen??!!"
ReplyDeleteHi Suey,
ReplyDeleteYou have a great blog. I am a follower now :)
I have read only book 1 (favorite), 3 (favorite), and 7 and watched the movie of 10. What about My Sister's Keeper?
Great list, and great books too. I love those kind of books. I definitely agree with 1,2 and 3. Wow.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the wow ending in Bel Canto, so it must not of wowed me.
You can add Fight Club(Pahlniuk) and The Blue Castle(LM Montgomery)to the list.
Now I must move The Good Earth, The Boy in Striped Pajamas up my TBR.
I don't necessarily have one to add to the list, but I just heard of When you Reach Me and I am now number 75 on the waiting list at the library!! Needless to say, I am very excited to read this one.
ReplyDeleteJulie and Gerbera: I tried to read My Sister's Keeper once upon a time. I only got a couple of chapters in and then I thought, I can't read this! I have heard it's a quite the ending though!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Tanu!
Molly you are going to love it!
Raidergirl: Bel Canto has an epilogue that we are going to rip to shreds at book club tomorrow... it's not going to be pretty.
I love your list! I love wow endings! I haven't heard of 2 and 4, so will have to check them out. I'd add Stone's Fall by Iain Pears to your list - the last page of that book changes everything and is so amazing - it is a chunkster though!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read Gone With the Wind, I was really shocked by the ending. Excellent list!
ReplyDeleteVanity Fair!
ReplyDeleteCan't think of anything to add off the top of my head, but as soon as I saw the title of the post I said to myself "Life of Pi had better be on that list!"
ReplyDeletelol
Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock (I think)
ReplyDeleteThe Lace Reader by B. Barry