Is there such a thing as a good epilogue?

[Carolyn-anne]

I come to this group with a challenge:

Give me some examples of a good epilogue.

I just finished my chick-semi-fantasy of the week. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and then there was a stupid epilogue that just ruined it for me. I thought it through and realized I couldn't remember an example of a worthwhile epilogue in my reading. I find that I'd rather have an actual ending or a sequel, but I dislike the plotless meandering of epilogues in general. I'm determined to find out how it can be done and I know the readers of Sword and Laser must have at least one example of a good one.

[Sean]

A Fire Upon the Deep -- the guy who's trying to ping the network and can't get a connection.

Watership Down -- (view spoiler)[Hazel's death. (hide spoiler)]

Christine and probably a bunch of other Stephen King books -- (view spoiler)[Putting the car in a compactor and sinking the remains isn't enough. (hide spoiler)]

[Kate]

Off the top of my head, I thought The Mists of Avalon had epilogue that was pretty good, and a necessary capper to the story..

Was the very end of Mockingjay an epilogue? If so I'd count that.

[kvon]

The Quantum Thief had an epilogue that appears to lead into the future series.

Reactions were mixed to the drabbles that Lois Bujold put at the end of CryoBurn, but I liked them. She also wrote a wonderfully memorable epilog to Shards of Honour of cleaning the corpses left over from a space fight.

[Irene]

If you're okay with epilogue nominees that are neither sword nor laser, then I would suggest The Book Thief. I thought it was definitely worthwhile reading that enhanced the book's theme.

[Kris]

The Lord of the Rings....just to mention the obligatory classic...

[Carolyn-anne]

I had completely forgotten The Book Thief! You're right. Great epilogue. Clearly, I am not sword/laser exclusive. I'm putting almost all of the books you guys mentioned on my 'To Read' list.

[Skaw]

I agree that the epilogue to CryoBurn was a great example of the species. For some reason the ending of that book caught me by surprise. Perhaps I just didn't want it to happen - denial at its finest. I really hope she doesn't end the series on that note.

[Joseph]

Patrick Rothfuss has a sort-of epilogue in The Wise Man's Fear, that's quite good. :)

[Terry]

Skew - I also loved Cryoburn's epilogue, though in retrospect the inevitability of that ending seems clear. The long-awaited Ivan book is coming this Fall.

I also liked the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows epilogue.

[Sandi]

Terry wrote: "Skew - I also loved Cryoburn's epilogue, though in retrospect the inevitability of that ending seems clear. The long-awaited Ivan book is coming this Fall.

I also liked the [book:Harry Potter and..."

Harry Potter had the kind of epilogue I like, one that lets you know what happens to the characters without setting you up for a sequel.

[Boots]

I hated the Deathly Hallows epilogue, I instantly regretted reading it when I was done. I honestly felt like Rowling just threw it in as an afterthought so she didn't have to write anymore Harry Potter books. When I reread it I skip the epilogue now.

I think I like epilogues written in the first person, like the narrator is talking directly to you.

I just finished the Tomorrow series by John Marsden and each book had a good epilogue, to the point that the books wouldn't be as good without them.

[Boots]

Adrienne wrote: "Oh, man, me too. I try to forget about it. It was just too nicely wrapped up and perfect."

That's exactly the problem with it.(view spoiler)[ I was going to say she may has well have written "And they all lived happily ever after" as the last line, but I just looked it up now and she actually wrote, "All was well." So she avoided the cliché but still managed to deliver that tired old fairy tale ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Nevan]

I loved the "epilogue" at the "end" of The Dark Tower series.

[terpkristin]

Boots wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "Oh, man, me too. I try to forget about it. It was just too nicely wrapped up and perfect."

That's exactly the problem with it.[spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I feel the same way. I would have preferred the ending without the epilogue. Actually, when I think of "bad" epilogues, I think of that one. :\

[Louann]

terpkristin wrote: "Boots wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "Oh, man, me too. I try to forget about it. It was just too nicely wrapped up and perfect."

That's exactly the problem with it.[spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I feel the s..."

Yup I completely agree. So far, I don't think I've come across very many epilogues that I enjoyed & felt actually added to the story.

[Robert]

The best epilogue I've seen recently has been the epilogue to Mass Effect 3. Not a book, but to me it shows that an epilogue can be done well.