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*Spoiler alert* What do you think of the ending of this book? I read a review that mentioned that the ending was a bit unbelievable, in the sense that it is "too-good-to-be-true." While I loved the fact that Casey gets a book deal, I was wondering if how suddenly there is a shift in the narrative and everything seem to work out for her- with her job, financial prospects, and even with her love life. Thoughts?
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Dana
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Karissa
Agreed. Panic disorders don't magically lift their grasp on sufferers as soon as things start working out for them. I also don't like how quick and easy her breakup with Oscar was. What about his sons and how close they'd gotten?
Kate
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Maggie
i agree. there didn't seem to be a time gap mentioned between all the good things that finally start falling into place for her. also, i can't get over the 'blue giraffe' scene. i hated it. and how she chased after Silas, who was kind of a dick.
and i wanted to know more about the book deal. did she ever get that apartment?
and i wanted to know more about the book deal. did she ever get that apartment?
Amy
I liked the ending but I am a fan of things working out. Was it too tidy? I’m sure for some it was, but i did like it.
Isabella
This is a great question and one that I was definitely thinking about as I wrapped up the novel. I do think that the ending was "magical," but I also think that, given King's writing style, it almost had to be. Hear me out-- King does such a fantastic job describing the minutiae of everyday life that she could have, essentially, tracked Casey's story forever. But there has to be an ending point. I think that Casey's character needed both the job and the book deal to break up the dichotomy that Casey is fighting throughout the novel. She's watching all of her friend's give up their artistic dream to settle for everyday jobs. In many ways, there's this decision like does she sign up for the "normal life" or does she struggle forever to live the "artistic life." I think it is nice--and realistic--that King presents a third solution that Casey didn't herself see: a job that provides financial security without sucking your soul dry that supports the artistic pursuit.
That said--yes. I think it is "too perfect" that she gets the guy, the job, and the book deal. To be honest, in my head I was kind of imagining that she got that book deal, paid all her loans, but maybe gets fired from her job for making out with Silas in the parking lot HAHA!
Additionally, I wish that King more deeply addressed Casey's anxiety/panic. While it's nice that her brother helps her set up some appointments with a professional, I feel like that could have been spoken about more.
That said--yes. I think it is "too perfect" that she gets the guy, the job, and the book deal. To be honest, in my head I was kind of imagining that she got that book deal, paid all her loans, but maybe gets fired from her job for making out with Silas in the parking lot HAHA!
Additionally, I wish that King more deeply addressed Casey's anxiety/panic. While it's nice that her brother helps her set up some appointments with a professional, I feel like that could have been spoken about more.
W. Lynn
Sometimes life can turn around fairly quickly. It wasn’t the blue giraffe that did it. It was the loving people around her, the new (challenging) job, and the prospect of the book deal.
Believe me, because I dealt with the death of my mother at a young age and suffered panic attacks that I thought were realistically portrayed in the book... Casey is not done with all that. But the book had to come to conclusion at some point. This is fiction and, as such, I found it very satisfying.
Believe me, because I dealt with the death of my mother at a young age and suffered panic attacks that I thought were realistically portrayed in the book... Casey is not done with all that. But the book had to come to conclusion at some point. This is fiction and, as such, I found it very satisfying.
Jeanette Michalets
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Theodore Fischer
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Mark Curry
As the story kept getting closer to the end, I found myself wondering about “the end” and how Casey would resolve her many issues. That they resolved so fast seemed a bit like, we need to tie up all the loose ends quickly. While satisfying, it seemed unreal. As one who knows a lot about panic attacks (!!), they don’t resolve so neatly and succinctly!
Anne
I think getting a teaching job isn't that easy. Also if you've never taught before it would probably take longer than a weekend to come up with a lesson plan.
Liz W
I did think it was tied in an awfully neat little bow. Perhaps the underlying message is “finishing the book is key to happiness.”
Katelyn Coleman
I was surprised she ended up with either of the men, especially because the book subtly and not so subtly argued against the importance of romantic relationships. I agree about the comment re the Blue Giraffe scene being hard to get through. It did not reflect the Casey we had been getting to know for the last 300 pages. I still really really enjoyed this book, though.
Tara
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Elizabeth Green
The ending didn't match the quality of the rest of the book and particularly the excellent writing. It shouldn't have all come together so nicely at the end, that was the ending for a different book. And pretty unrealistic - like getting a book deal within a few weeks of landing an agent. But I'll look past the ending because I enjoyed the rest so much.
Deb
agree - it seemed just too neat and too pat. is pretenting to be a big blue giraffe that empowering?
Dh
It was a fairytale ending. The beginning and the end were the weak parts of the book, but I enjoyed it overall.
Terri Leonard
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Jeff
She deserved none of those things (she is selfish, immature) and experienced zero growth but was magically granted a perfect ending.
Sarah June
Well, I got teary at the ending and I'm not sure why. I can't even remember if I have ever cried at the ending of a book. So, maybe, it's the emotional wallop the author was striving for rather than having it all make sense.
Novel Nerd
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Axr
100% agree with this take. Was totally liking the book until the ending, which felt ultimately unearned and almost fairy tale.
Helen
Agree, I thought the ending was too neat and tied up with a pretty bow. Also, as others have said, what about the little boys who'd fallen in love with her (and her with them). They were going to be so upset. Was she ever going to see them again? I loved this book but thought the ending was a bit 'meh'! Shame.
Rachel McIntyre
Agree, I felt it was very unrealistic. All of Casey's issues resolved too quickly. With the teaching job, did she even have enough experience to be a high school teacher? The only part of the ending that was realistic was her getting the book deal.
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