Kim (binge reading to avoid reality and the fall of US democracy)’s answer to “Anyone finished who wants to discuss the ending? I am still not sure how I feel about it, am rumin…” > Likes and Comments
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I agree with all of the comments. I am certain that she went to Jonas - but maybe just to remain in an adulterous relationship? She said that she loved both men - maybe she just wanted both. All in all, for me, Elle was a very unlikable character. Was that the way Heller wanted it to be? Don't know.
I think about Wallace talking about taking a swim that you don't know you'll regret until you've done it. I wish I had my copy with me to get that right but is that the swim that she's taking, without her ring, towards Jonas?
I think so but the ending was vague and a little bit confusing. This book was on the top ten book list last week in the NYTs. The book just didn't have enough substance for me; it was just a respite book for me - one that just fills some inane time between books that are a bit heavier and dark or thoughtful.
With that interview as context I think that makes sense. Because I did also think in reading that paragraph that she left the wedding ring but kept Jonas' ring which really says all we need to know...
I concluded that she decided to leave Peter but had to re-read that last section to be sure I was undertsanding ot correctly.
At first, I thought she had decided to stay with Peter, but now that I've read that second-to-last paragraph a few more times -- the fact she says she's squeezing her wedding ring one final time -- gives me the impression she's chosen Jonas.
I feel like she still didn’t choose either and is going to keep going back and forth . She asked peter to go with her on her swim that morning so she didn’t have to face Jonas to make a decision. It said he was standing across the pond so she’s probably going to continue the same behavior until one of them gets rid of her.
I listened so I can't reference back, but she mentions how her mom told her that if she flips a coin and doesn't like the way it goes, then she should do the other thing. I feel like I would be dissappointed if she chose Jonas and I would be dissappointed if she chose Peter.
I enjoyed the book but I'm dissapointed in the ending, even though i think either ending would have dissappointed me? So maybe this is a good ending? I don't know. Now I'm more confused.
Ha, same for me - finished it late at night (and got through it in 2 days, which is fast for me!) and I felt like I really needed to talk to someone about that ending ;) In reading comments and re-reading the ending along with the comment from Wallace, I think she chose Jonas - and I (think) I'm happy about that ending!
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Jul 18, 2021 04:02PM
I agree with all of the comments. I am certain that she went to Jonas - but maybe just to remain in an adulterous relationship? She said that she loved both men - maybe she just wanted both. All in all, for me, Elle was a very unlikable character. Was that the way Heller wanted it to be? Don't know.
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I think about Wallace talking about taking a swim that you don't know you'll regret until you've done it. I wish I had my copy with me to get that right but is that the swim that she's taking, without her ring, towards Jonas?
I think so but the ending was vague and a little bit confusing. This book was on the top ten book list last week in the NYTs. The book just didn't have enough substance for me; it was just a respite book for me - one that just fills some inane time between books that are a bit heavier and dark or thoughtful.
With that interview as context I think that makes sense. Because I did also think in reading that paragraph that she left the wedding ring but kept Jonas' ring which really says all we need to know...
I concluded that she decided to leave Peter but had to re-read that last section to be sure I was undertsanding ot correctly.
At first, I thought she had decided to stay with Peter, but now that I've read that second-to-last paragraph a few more times -- the fact she says she's squeezing her wedding ring one final time -- gives me the impression she's chosen Jonas.
I feel like she still didn’t choose either and is going to keep going back and forth . She asked peter to go with her on her swim that morning so she didn’t have to face Jonas to make a decision. It said he was standing across the pond so she’s probably going to continue the same behavior until one of them gets rid of her.
I listened so I can't reference back, but she mentions how her mom told her that if she flips a coin and doesn't like the way it goes, then she should do the other thing. I feel like I would be dissappointed if she chose Jonas and I would be dissappointed if she chose Peter. I enjoyed the book but I'm dissapointed in the ending, even though i think either ending would have dissappointed me? So maybe this is a good ending? I don't know. Now I'm more confused.
Ha, same for me - finished it late at night (and got through it in 2 days, which is fast for me!) and I felt like I really needed to talk to someone about that ending ;) In reading comments and re-reading the ending along with the comment from Wallace, I think she chose Jonas - and I (think) I'm happy about that ending!
