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Original poster

please recommend some books without the traditional happy ending.

59 replies

sweetheart · 09/11/2011 16:19

My sister loves reading but is always complaining that books always have too much of a happy ending. I thought for her Christmas present I'd try and seek out some good books which don't have the traditional or anticipated ending for her to read. She normally reads fairly easy going books - no war and peace type stuff please.
Thanks

OP posts:
suzikettles · 09/11/2011 16:43

House of Sand and Fog

Georgimama · 09/11/2011 16:41

Atonement
Never Let Me Go
Rebecca

Original poster
sweetheart · 09/11/2011 16:38

ohhh that fine balance one sounds a bit too depresing AP - great suggestion but it may tip my sister over the edge Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
sweetheart · 09/11/2011 16:36

ohhh quick replies - thanks so much. A couple of these sound great, the deeper heavier ones are not for her - I guess I'm more talking about an unexpected ending where things don't all end happily ever after - not just books that are full from front to back of doom, gloom and drugery.
Thanks, any other ideas?

OP posts:
NormanTheForeman · 09/11/2011 16:34

The Way I Found Her, by Rose Tremain

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/11/2011 16:33

'The Grapes Of Wrath' or, 'Of Mice And Men' by John Steinbeck. Neither are 'easy-going' but they are easy enough to read.

Another, which I don't like but lots of people on here do, is, 'A Prayer For Owen Meaney.'

nickelbabe · 09/11/2011 16:29

Lauren Oliver - Delirium.
It's about Love being a disease rather than a good thing, and that all society's problems are solved by a procedure that stops it.
girl falls in love before she has it, lots of angst, no happy ending cos the boy she falls in love with is killed.

purpleturtletoise · 09/11/2011 16:22

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake - I don't think of that as having a happy ending

AgentProvocateur · 09/11/2011 16:20

A Fine Balance is a wonderfully depressing book, with a hugely tragic ending. I loved it Grin It's a thick book, but a relatively easy read.

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