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?
Another interesting BTT this week! I do not read mystery very often, but do enjoy books that are original or surprising — IF the ending adds to the overall quality or interest of the narrative overall. I detest books with slapped on surprise endings that either would never happen in real life (i.e. — Jodi Picoult) or endings that did not leave enough clues to “fit” the story. Every Picoult I have read has been pure pleasure — until the “made-for-t.v.” ending that cheapens what should have been a really good page-turner.
That said, the first few titles that came to mind were the following (I linked to my review when possible and Amazon if I haven’t written my own review…):
- In the Woods by Tana French (I figured out “who dun it” but thought the ending was appropriate none-the-less)
- The Sister by Poppy Adams
- The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian
- The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
- The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
So, those are my initial thoughts — not necessarily mysteries, but surprising in some way…
What about you? What are your favorite “complicated or unexpected” novels? By the way, I am compiling a sampling of the answers posted to last and this week’s BTTs for a future post…
I agree on the Jodi Picoult. I haven’t been able to read more than one of her books because I got so annoyed that I knew the ending (literally) after the first chapter!
Here are mine:
http://literarilyspeaking1.blogspot.com/2010/01/booking-through-thursday-january-28.html
The Thirteenth Tale was awesome!
Here is mine
I think that one can guess the ending of any of Picoult’s books just by reading the summary.
I have The Blind Assassin on my TBR; I’ve actually read half of it, and forgot why I even put it down. It is quite “twisty.”
Water for Elephants!
I LOVED the Thirteenth Tale – thoroughly enjoyed The Sisters, and have the other three on my bookshelf waiting to be read
I guess you could say that I enjoy books with unexpected endings!
I have The Thirteenth Tale, but as of yet have been unable to get to it. I need to move it up my list. My answers: http://www.rundpinne.com/2010/01/booking-through-thursday-complicated.html
Great comments!! I’m heading over to see what other titles were chosen…
Great selection of books! I loved The Thirteenth Tale and The Sister!
I haven’t heard of The Double Bind though – I’ll have to look into it – Thanks for the recommendation!
I am really glad to read about what others find
a great read with surprise endings, my favourite type of book.
I read Still Life by Joy Fielding and it
is an awesome who done it, I highly recommend it for a surprise ending.
First, thanks for linking me in your BTT wrap-up on unknown authors, I’ve browsed your blog before, I think, but at a time when I didn’t have a moment to comment.
Second, I cannot believe I DIDN’T include The Thirteenth Tale in my own list of Twisty Books.
Do you mind if I include your blog in my blogroll?
Absolutely!! Thank you! I’ll do the same