Do you need to wrap it all up neatly?

Today's quote from Real Simple's Daily Thought is from writer/humorist James Thurber:

"It is better to ask some of the questions than to know all of the answers."

Now, I have to admit, I loved the epilogue in The Deathly Hallows. Why? Because I'd spent years with all these characters and I wanted - maybe even needed -  to know how they turned out - or at least a hint of their future lives. (Thanks, JK!!!) But, is that always necessary? Does every story need a neat little bow at the end? Is it even possible to put a knot at the end of some stories? And, do you want to?

Mysteries are one genre that comes to mind in the knot-tied category. When I'm reading a mystery, I expect to find out who did it in the end! (And, hopefully, I won't have figured it out too much before hand.) However, even in mysteries - and particularly the cozy variety (which I LOVE when they're good!)  - there are open-ended threads, mostly related to the main character who is present in many books. Those loose ends don't need to tie up because you'll keep learning more and more about the character(s). (As it should be!) And, those unanswered questions make you want to keep reading!

I write sci-fi/dystopian, which is a genre that almost demands no tidy endings. Why? Because the world - any world - is never static. There are always unanswered questions, a myriad of directions to take, and nothing is ever set in stone - even if it seems like it is!

So - particularly for my NaNo writing friends - don't worry about wrapping up every little detail. Ask the questions! The necessary answers will come, eventually!

What do you guys think? Do you like neat, tidy endings? I'm curious...