Happy end or Kill 'em all?

[Nik]

Some bloggers/reviewers are very particular about the ending and prefer not to read a book, unless it provides for a positive one. One of beta-readers reverted regarding a character with something like: 'I can't believe you've killed him. I hate when likable characters die'.
What do you prefer as readers/writers? What do you think most readers prefer?

[Michael]

I don't worry about it—as a writer or a reader. I think the ending should serve the story, and good fiction should mirror real life. Sometimes that means a much-loved character dies.
Ha ha! It's never a decision for me anyway. When I'm writing I never know what's going to happen until it happens. It takes a lot of stress off of me; I don't have to plan anything.
When I'm reading I don't like to be able to predict an ending, regardless of what that ending is.
I'd venture to say most readers just want a good story.

[Nik]

Michael wrote: "I think the ending should serve the story, and good fiction should mirror real life. Sometimes that means a much-loved character dies. ..."

Ok, no mercy, from Michael -:)
If the story and writer's imagination demand it lethal, the hero gets whacked -:)
Anyone more considerate, maybe?

[M.L.]

There is the idea or concept of a 'writer's contract with the reader' about killing off and, maybe more importantly, 'when.' I just read a spoiler for a book--no one had mentioned this in other reviews, and the person who did also put a warning--but still if the 'hero' is going to die at the end. And I know it! That is a deterrent.

That said, the author is free to do as they choose. And I myself may read something knowing that happens. But there still is that idea in mind. George Martin is a good example. He kills tons of people. Readers get mad at him. He keeps killing them off. And they keep reading. :-)

[Yelena]

I agree!

Depends on the story. If it's the only character I liked In a story that gets killed than that may be a problem... But usually if a character I like dies my heart breaks and I'm shocked and maybe I scream and throw the book.... I'm hate it but I also love it, the emotion of it.


In the very end though I usually like a happy ending, if it's the last book in a series.

[Quantum]

my daughter said to me a couple of weeks ago, "Dad, all of your MCs die at the end!"

i said, "no, some of them just get mutilated."

[Yelena]

LOL sounds like some happy stories Alex

[M.L.]

That's funny! Kids are great, they let you know!

I came really close to throwing a book once when a character died. I didn't but even though I have book #2 I haven't read it yet. Probably will one of these days.

[Tara Woods Turner]

If a character's death is organic to the plot I respect the writer for being authentic, even if I grew to love the character. But if a writer always kets his/her main characters survive every single battle or dangerous event etc unscathed the book loses realism for me. Pillars of the Earth, A Little Life and Game of Thrones are some examples.

[Nik]

Alex G wrote: "my daughter said to me a couple of weeks ago, "Dad, all of your MCs die at the end!"

i said, "no, some of them just get mutilated.""

Sounds like you are giving her a ninja education -:)

[Nik]

M.L. wrote: "George Martin is a good example. He kills tons of people. Readers get mad at him. He keeps killing them off. And they keep reading. :-) ..."

A real literary tyrant -:)

[T. K. Elliott (Tiffany)]

I like a happy ending... but it has to fit the story. Sense and Sensibility, for me, is one that doesn't: I just can't imagine the two couples being happy with each other. They would have been better swapped around (Eleanor with Colonel Brandon).

It's worse, I think, when everything just suddenly "comes out right" to make a happy ending that logically shouldn't exist.

[Yelena]

Yes it goes both ways T.K.
Forcing a happy ending is not a good thing if it's suddenly out of the blue!

[Nik]

Yep, when bullets are hissing, grenades exploding, total hell around and everybody comes out unscathed it undermines the credibility entirely.
If Quentin were more merciful and less gory, his fame might not be that shining.
And happy endings may differ. Sometimes the triumph of the cause is more important than personal destiny of heroes...

[Alexander]

I kill off a lot of characters beginning, middle, and end. My worlds aren't ideal travel locations...

[J.J.]

It has to make sense to the story. I don't necessarily care if a character dies, but I do have a problem if the deaths become gratuitous or there is no reason for an author to kill off a character other than because he or she wants to.

And a happy ending isn't necessary, but there has to be upbeat note to come from it or you leave the reader feeling like crap when it's over. Maybe the heroes die, but did they stop the bomb? Maybe society falls apart, but is there hope humanity might pull through it in the future?

And I say that, but I've been watching the modern remake of The Outer Limits and the best episodes for me have been the ones that end badly..."We thought we were bombing the evil aliens' homeworld, but it was Earth the whole time!"

[Marie Silk]

T. K. Elliott wrote: "I like a happy ending... but it has to fit the story. Sense and Sensibility, for me, is one that doesn't: I just can't imagine the two couples being happy with each other. They would h..."

Totally agree on Eleanor and Colonel Brandon! And let's not even get started on Little Women (Jo and Laurie)...


I remember one book written in first person where the main guy/narrator drowns in the end and describes himself dying. It was one of those "what the heck did I just read?" moments for me.

[Eldon]

Nik wrote: "Some bloggers/reviewers are very particular about the ending and prefer not to read a book, unless it provides for a positive one. One of beta-readers reverted regarding a character with something ..."

I believe endings have to make sense within the context of the story that you're telling and that is all you owe the reader.

A good story can have either a happy or sad ending so long as the ending fits the tone of the book. If the tone throughout the book has been upbeat and cheery and then at the end everyone dies then the reader is bound to feel cheated. Likewise if it has been dark and somber throughout and then everyone lives happily ever after the reader will be left scratching their head.

For me personally, I have no objections to killing main characters because I never want the reader to feel that this or that character is safe just because they are the main attraction. If the reader believes they'll always find a way to pull through it detracts from the suspense of the story. Better to keep them on the edge of their seat and just not knowing how it will end :)

[Nik]

Cruel dudes those authors, an unsuspecting reader may think. Indifferent to human loss-:)

[Eldon]

Nik wrote: "Cruel dudes those authors, an unsuspecting reader may think. Indifferent to human loss-:)"

Is life any different on the grand scale?

[Nik]

Some say it's a b...h, others - that it's wonderful. On the grand scale - too much indifference indeed...

[M.L.]

Nik wrote: "M.L. wrote: "George Martin is a good example. He kills tons of people. Readers get mad at him. He keeps killing them off. And they keep reading. :-) ..."

A real literary tyrant -:)"

For GRRM, and this is for the HBO series, he does horrible things, but it is often a precursor to the just-as-horrible revenge! The last episode and the Battle of the Bastards before that, oh, ouch! Cool really!

[Ian]

I tend to kill of main characters to illustrate some point that the story is trying to make. In my "Troubles", there is quite a cleanout, but if you think about it, there is a reason for most of them that is related closely to the theme of the book.

I see no reason to kill them off for no good reason.

[M.L.]

If it's natural in the story then some characters won't make it.
There is also the idea/story line of piling so much angst, misfortune, sadness on the character that if I know that ahead of time, I will probably avoid it.

I read a review saying the MC starts out with really bad things, real life situations, in place, and from there it's all downhill -- and get your tissues ready! (no thanks)

The cover however is completely different, bright, light-hearted, etc. -- I thought it was humor or chick lit. So very much in contrast. I may read the excerpt, but most likely not the book.

I read for adventure, experience of something, i.e., submarine warfare currently, that I am not familiar with, or historical fiction, a different angle on crime, and of course SF and fantasy.

So even though the MC makes it all the way through there can be other deterrents.

[Nik]

So, how do you like your heroes: alive and kicking, medium rare, well done?

[Ian]

Faith, it may have something to do with culture. Shakespeare was quite happy to end up with the stage strewn with bodies, and his stories have lasted better than most.

[Philip]

In one of my own I kill off a lot of characters - most of the world really - this got some negative assessments - but it had the impact I wanted. It was in the first third of the book. My aim was to upset the reader, then a little bit of hope can shine through in the rest of the story

[Ian]

I am quite happy to kill them off, but only if it adds to the story. On the other hand, many of my books do not have a happy ending, and if they do, I like to think it is in some unpredictable way. I have one series of books where the hero has to follow a prophecy (so you know he survives all but the last) but I doubt that anyone could predict the exact ending. The characters can survive, and even be happy, but still in a way that is difficult to predict.

[[deleted user]]

I actually gave up in disgust on reading the Honor Harrington Series by David Weber because of the senseless mass killings in it, often just to 'create suspense and drama', with millions dying and whole space fleets annihilated. Weber kept making such mass killings in that series in a nearly repetitive manner, while he spent half of his books in endless, rather boring chat between characters.

[Graeme]

Great evil will never be defeated without great sacrifice.

The nemesis will not go quietly into the night.

Perhaps the only ones left at the end will be the ghosts.

[Nik]

Sorry to hear about this incident in Melbourne, Graeme

[J.J.]

Ian wrote: "Faith, it may have something to do with culture. Shakespeare was quite happy to end up with the stage strewn with bodies, and his stories have lasted better than most."

The thing about about Shakespeare is usually all those bodies at the end are there because they received comeuppance for some sin or crime. The end of Hamlet is still a happy ending of sorts because that bloodbath followed by Fortinbras' conquering army marks what the audience expects will be a period of some stability for Denmark.

[kavi ~he-him~]

I like both the happy endings and bad endings but I like the endings that can make me cry.

[Ian]

JJ, I agree the ending of Hamlet marks the end of some really bad stuff, but I can't quite agree that makes it a happy ending. More, for me, a conclusive ending :-)

[Graeme]

Nik wrote: "Sorry to hear about this incident in Melbourne, Graeme"

Thanks Nik, it occurred a couple of blocks away from my work.

On a odd note, my step-daughter and her 1 yo son are visiting from Thailand and had originally planned to be in that location in the city at that time.

But we had heavy rain that morning and she changed her plans at the last minute.

Dodged a bullet.

[Groovy]

I like happy endings. I tend to be an emotional person, and if my favorite character died at the end, it would be too much.

That's how it is in my books. I never kill off the protagonist, she always has a happy ending. But I do kill off secondary characters if the story calls for it. And when my readers mention how they had to get the tissues because they didn't see that coming, it lets me know I did my job:)

[Nik]

So what's your fav ending: happy or tragic?

[Esther]

I like both. It's nice to have a happy ending every so often, but then tragic endings are fun to read and create. Too much of a happy ending can rub the wrong way with me. It just doesn't seem realistic.

[[deleted user]]

If all would always be spiffy in life, then it would make for rather dull stories. It would also detract from real life around the World. So, yes, I am more than ready to accept some tragedy and drama, as long as it is realistic and is justified by the storie's script and not done to simply 'spice' it with gratuitous cruelty or killings.

[Scout]

My preference is for the protagonist to survive. Kill everyone else, if you must.