Episode 29: Spoiler Alert! (Our Favorite Endings in Literature)

The Book XChange Podcast

Be warned! By definition, every single book discussed in this episode of the Book XChange podcast is going to be utterly spoiled... Jude and John discuss some of their favorite all-time endings in literature, and why we feel they've made such a lasting imprint on our memories. There are many ways to end a story: wicked twists in the plot, notes of ambiguity and mystery, group hugs of happiness, or shocking, tragic losses. But for most readers there are those books that linger in the mind because of the way the author "stuck the landing," bringing all of the elements of his/her tale together in a uniquely satisfying - or sometimes, maddenly unsatisfying, but memorable! - close. We came up with a long list of interesting choices for this discussion, so much so that it could easily spawn a second episode to continue the theme in the future. What book endings linger in your mind? Now you can email the show at [e-mail] to share your recommendations, observations, criticisms, or whatever you'd like! Thanks as always for listening. -J & J BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE What John is currently reading/plans to read next: 'Silence and Beauty: Hidden Faith Born of Suffering,' Makoto Fujimura - 'Avoid the Day: A New Nonfiction in Two Movements,' Jay Kirk - What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next: 'The Heart of the Matter,' Graham Greene - 'The New Worlds of Robert A. Heinlein: Expanded Universe,' Robert A. Heinlein - Books/Writers discussed in this episode: John 21: 20-25 - Matthew 28:18-20 - 'The Trial,' Franz Kafka - 'Mariette in Ecstasy,' Ron Hansen - 'Silence,' Shusaku Endo - 'The Grapes of Wrath,' John Steinbeck - 'The Lord of the Rings trilogy ("The Scouring of the Shire,"), J. R. R. Tolkien - 'The Road,' Cormac McCarthy - Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast: "Animal Kingdom" - books featuring or about animals