Happy or Sad Endings?

J

JustThatOne

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I'm kind of torn on this one, it has probably been asked a gazillion times before but, hey, let's hear your opinions.

I simply can't stand fairytale 'happily ever after' endings. They sicken me. They enrage me. Arrrgh. So cliched and perfect to the point of extreme irritation.

However.....

On the other hand sad endings leave me feeling sort of empty and wishing to hear more...
I just can't make up my mind which is the best?

I would definitely have to say, though, that sad endings are best left to extremely good writers.

Is there an inbetween point which you would say is best?
What's your opinion?

Rant on! :)
Actually I would have to agree with those of you who said 'realistic endings' and to the person who said 'if the story seems like it needs a happy ending, it will have a happy ending'

I like the idea that stories aren't just written, but they grow and develop of their own accord :)
 
sure remember that movie where denzel washington was tryin to stop that demon that would travel from person to person. well he died in the end and the demon survived but it really wasnt that bad of an ending
 
I think I prefer happy endings to sad ones, but my favorites are the endings that make you say "Hmmmm...." I love it when they throw in an unexpected twist at the end! Here's what I mean:
TV = the classic show The Twilight Zone (famous for unusual endings)
MOVIES = The Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis ("I see dead people.")
BOOKS = The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff (the ending caught me by surprise)
Falling For Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox (offers a fresh twist to a traditional fairy tale)
 
ok

nah sad endings that are completely devastating in the end leave me wishing i have never read the book and happy endings are usually predictable and been done a million times before

i like sad endings that have some silver lining or something that makes you cry but theres something that balances is out. i.e my wife was dead but i know she's in a better place or everyone was dead but i'm going to move on and do something else - sad stories are always the best though
 
Well, for me, that depends. If the protagonist has suffered a lot, like for example: a girl's mom died. Her stepfather is a powerful man so even when he does horrible things to her, he can get away with it, you know, the whole enchilada (think sexual and physical abuse). Then, I'd want the story to end on a better note. Like someone is going to see through her composed facade and save her from the nothing that the stepdad is leading her to be.

However, I enjoy sad endings when the story is too cliched. Or the protagonist is annoyingly unrealistic. Sad endings are also more preferable when it is written in such a way that you're not going to see it coming. Like when the story is built up for the whole 'happily-ever-after' thing and then BAM! Someone dies.

For me anyways.
 
i prefer endings that people can relate to in life, not just be so out there and sound stupid coz it'll never happen. on that note though, i do like happy endings but sad endings are more powerful and stay with you longer like "seven pounds". i balled my eyes out in that movie, but i love it for its message. =)
 
i'm a sucker for happy endings. i hate cliched, fairy tale plots and characters, but i just can't deal with sad endings. i guess i like bittersweet also. but i just really hate sad endings, or cliffhanger endings (unless there is another book coming, in that case i love those cliffhangers that leave you thinking and waiting in agony until the next book comes out)

but as for real endings, i need it happy and complete. the character can go through hell and beyond for the rest of the book, but it all needs to come together in a slightly positive light.
 
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