A Goodreads user asked:

What exactly happens at the very end? Not sure I understand

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48 likes · like
10 years ago
17 answers

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John Mackenzie

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Sarah Ozcandarli

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John Singh

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Judy Lindow

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Cheyanne Sauter I really appreciate readings people's interpretation of the ending. I can definitely see both sides.

My thoughts were that Lydia rowed out to the middle of the lake because the first time she "jumped" was pushed into the lake everything in her family changed. I think she looked to the lake this time to help change everything again. Hopefully this change would be for the best - almost a cleansing. She kept reiterating how she felt when Nath pulled her out of the lake and I think she expected another epiphany this time around.

The last few paragraphs beautifully wrapped up the present and future for each character. I secretly think that Nath fell back in love with Jack. Maybe that's my hope for a happy ending. hehe Nath ends up becoming an astronaut and staying at the Space Station for some time. I also think that Hannah will be a popular girl in high school.

I had to reread the last few pages again to make sure I captured everything. Similarly to the entire book and the trend of the family, there was hardly any communication happening. Everyone just fell into their new routines and came to their reality that Lydia was gone.

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Natasha Hinkson

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Victoria Lam There is no end. The story stops but everyone's lives go on, with the questions, confusions and wondering that characterize all lives in process. Until each finds in their own time, some or most of the answers, or at least the resolutions that allow them to accept - each other, the past, their history.
This is a such a truthful story because while it gives solace, it leaves understanding for the future and maturity.

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Janet Carroll I agree with Judy Lindow. In the end, it does not really matter how she died. That is a trivial question, really. Everyone, even Jack, let her down in one single day. Not one family member, except maybe Hannah, can even accept the possibility. Lydia finally realizes that her fear has made a prisoner of her own need to please and that she cannot attach herself to Nathan's future.
I also compare the incident when Marilyn disappears to Lydia's disappearance. The two seem to be cause and effect,no?

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DJ7040

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Penny Burkhardt

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Paulen Swope I think the best thing to do when you are confused after reading is to reread the section.

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Kirsten

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Sophia

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Alex So Lydia’s death was an accident?

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Lia This book takes you on a journey on what had gone in the teenager's mind before her death. She tries to do the very thing she never meant to do, to escape her pain.

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Shikha While reading the end part of the novel, I was surprisingly reminded of Tennyson's In Memorium. I had a feeling that just like any other family, this family also took time to overcome the shock of losing a family member. A member that holds an important place, from whom parents have high expectations and siblings find strength and support (Hannah). Everyone had his own way to remember her and took time to accept the fact. It is normal to seek comfort outside a grieving family or act as an escapist or just blame the past. I loved the book as the characters are so real and I fully accepted the way they responded/reacted to situations. Yes, Lydia's death is more like an accident than a case of suicide.

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