A Novel : Question 7

[Carol]

How do you feel about the ending?

[Carol]

The ending was a surprise to me, and I was saddened. I found myself liking Chuck, and to lose him was most unexpected to me. He became a part of the "Cast" and it felt we really lost an important part when he died. Lurie handled it in a good way, and left the reader (me) feeling saddened but okay about it.

[Cheryl]

I FOUND IT IRONIC THAT HE DIED SO SOON AFTER REALLY SEEMING TO FIND HAPPINESS. HIS WIFE IS A SLEEZE ADDICTED TO MONEY AND COULD CARE LESS ABOUT CHUCK, AND HIS DAUGHTER HAS BEEN TOLD SO OFTEN THAT SHE IS STUPID AND UNATTRACTIVE, THAT SHE HAS BECOME JUST THAT WITHOUT ANY SENSE OF SELF OR HER FATHER. SHE IS A LOST SOUL. IT'S SAD THAT VINNIE, WHO HAS SHIED AWAY FROM SERIOUS RELATIONSHIPS, FINDS OUT TOO LATE THAT SHE REALLY LOVED CHUCK. ANOTHER IRONY.

[Ashley]

Yup, ironic. And actually, I was genuinely surprised when he croaked. And then it felt a tad gimmicky. Or maybe not gimmicky but a smidge too easy. After all, Vinnie was never forced to actually decide whether to take the risk of REALLY committing to another guy and letting her be all inconvenienced by an actual relationship. (Remember? She's VERY independent and likes her space.) With Chuck gone, she has a tragedy and love lost she can romanticize if she wants, but . . . I dunno. I'm not totally sold that Vinnie really, really, REALLY loved him.

[Carol]

Good comments Ashley & Cheryl. I like both of your takes on this question. Hadn't really thought of it in terms of irony, but yet that's the perfect word. I really did like Chuck, and the happiness the two of them had was kind of beautiful...!! Throw in a little Fido, and it works quite nicely.

[Lauren]

I'm with Ashley: I thought Chuck's death was the only resolution that ensured a "happy ending," which I know sounds weird Does anything think Chuck and Vinnie would have been able to make it work? This way, Vinnie gets her big love story, and as a literature professor, I think she might almost prefer the tragic resolution to something light and fluffy. But it's part of what I liked about the book: I think Lurie recognized that in her character and gave Vinnie the happy ending Vinnie would 'want.' It's gimmicky the same way a rom com is, but it's part of why I liked it.

And bear with me, because it's been over a year since I read the book, but I seem to remember wondering what Chuck's wife's version of the story would be.

[Ashley]

Ooooh, good one, Lauren. I never thought of it as Lurie giving Vinnie her happy ending, but I think it really is the happiest ending Vinnie could've gotten.

And Fred gets his happy ending, while still having had the fun of his fling. The end.