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This week, on Booking Through Thursday, Jackie says, “I love books with complicated plots and unexpected endings. What is your favourite book with a fantastic twist at the end?”
So, today’s question is in two parts.
1. Do YOU like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings?
2. What book with a surprise ending is your favorite? Or your least favorite?
I do enjoy those types of books, as long as they are well-written and the twist sort of fits. Do you know what I mean? I don’t want to see it coming, but once I read it, I want to say, “Oh my gosh! Why didn’t I think of that?” or, “So that’s what’s been going on!” You know–the light bulb moment. As far as the complicated plot goes, I like that too, as long as it’s written by an author with the chops to handle it. A complicated plot in the hands of a not-so-good author is torturous. In the hands of an author who knows what he or she is doing, it’s huge fun.
My favorite surprise endings? The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, and Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. I’m sure there are more that I’m just not thinking of right now. I can’t actually think of a least favorite. I’ve probably just blocked it out of my memory! (Links to my GoodReads reviews)
How do you feel about surprise endings, and what book have you found where it was done well?
9 Comments
Water for Elephants is on my list too! I haven't read any Dennis LeHane books yet, but plan to read his new one, The Given Day, soon. It is great to know that Shutter Island has a twist in the end – I'll add it to the list!
I agree with you.
I loved Water for Elephants! It was a great read, and one of my favourite novels.
Here is mine: twe.ly/dxc
Jennifer @ Mrs. Q: Book Addict
web.me.com/quirion
I loved the ending for Water for Elephants! I do enjoy complicated plots, even though I can't think of any off the top of my head right now with good surprise endings. I know there have been.
I've had Water for Elephants and Shutter Island on my TBR list for ages, but haven't read them yet!
The two books I like with sort-of surprise endings are The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden, both by Kate Morton.
Here's my response:
literarilyspeaking1.blogspot.com/2010/01/booking-through-thursday-january-28.html
You have a great TBR list!
I've only read a few pages of Venom this morning, so I don't know enough to comment on it yet. I hope you enjoy it though!
I can't come up with an answer for this one. I have Water for Elephants, And Then There Were None, and Shutter Island is on my TBR list.
Great answer.
BTW I received Venom last night, I so look forward to your review.
I do like a complicated plot, and its nice to be surprised, but I think that personally I dont like too much of a light bulb moment, I dont want to read a book that I cant follow the whole way through.
But I do like it when the plot is complicated enough to keep is interesting!
Here is my response
pageturnersbooks.blogspot.com/2010/01/booking-through-thursday-twisty.html
Totally, almost anything goes if it's well written 🙂
I agree. I tend to forget the ones that disappoint as well.
My answer is here.