Reading the last book in a series

I think it depends on on the kind of novel. Plot driven novels seem to call for a satisfactory conclusion to the plot (e.g. good triumphs over evil [the dreaded spell checker just tried to make me write 'good triumphs over email'!). But character driven novels often seem to work better with a degree of ambiguity (a reminder that the characters have a life after the end of the novel). 

Iain said:

character of Death (the personification of death) talking - it read "AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER". 

That is so lovely. The character Bill Door must have brought comfort to many fans who fear death.

it does make me a little sad when a series ends and you can no longer see anything new from your favourite characters.

I was really upset two years ago when Akira Toriyama (author and artist of Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump) passed away, his art was one of my biggest influences. His apprentice is taking the reigns of future Dragon Ball projects, apparently

this series sounds very interesting..,, you sound as though you are a very informed creative person when it comes to this sort of thing 

TheCatWoman said:

have you tried Paul Doherty?

No, but I'll order some from the library. I'm not keen on novels usually but love Ellis, also Alexander McCall Smith. thanks for letting me know!

I've read most of the Disc World series, and I was sad when Terry Pratchet died and what an amazing epitaph that is.

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Marriane have you tried Paul Doherty? Particularly his Brother Athelstan series? I think if you like Ellis Peters then you will like these, the Hugh Corbett series is quite good too.

TheCatWoman said:

Does any one else really miss fictional characters when they can no longer share thier lives with us?

I was a lifelong fan of Terry Pratchett and followed his Discworld series from the start to the 41st and last one.

He was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and knew he was dying towards the end so ended up getting Stephen Baxter to help him write the last of his books through the difficulties of memory loss and motor control.

He finished the series nicely and when he actually died they sent a final tweet from his account using the captial letters he used when it was character of Death (the personification of death) talking - it read "AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER". 

I don't think I have cried so much as I did then.

If you have read the books then you will know how meaningful this is.

Yes, I loved the Ellis Peters [Edith Pargeter] 'Cadfael' mysteries and bought the BBC DVD versions too. I often re-read them because they are so rich in medieval history and the characters appealing. I like tidy endings - I have too much to think about without ruminating on potentials! Thanks for this question!

What EP said.

I don’t read many books that are in a series but one series is making me anticipate sadness because the sixth and final book will be released in the coming summer. I suppose that makes me a very negative person. The Deverill Chronicles by Santa Montefiore is an epic family saga set in Ireland that follows themes of love, war and betrayal. Although a fictional work, it includes historical facts which reflect life for real and imagined characters.

I feel attachment to some of the characters and I envy people who might be starting to read the first book in the series and who will love it as much as I do. 

I dislike books with ambiguous endings although I can cope with open endings if they must finish that way. My preference is for a book to have a definite ending, although it mustn’t be rushed. 

My bedroom has black out blinds and curtains to eliminate any light sources when I am in bed. I love to turn the lights off and read fiction in the dark using my kindle. I have a cheap pair of reading glasses so that if I fall asleep when I’m reading, I don’t need to worry about them getting damaged and the kindle turns itself off after a few minutes if I haven’t turned a page. 

I could never have that level of imagination. But it would also feel wrong for me. They aren't my stories so it isn't my place to finish it. I wouldn't like it if anyone else finished it either. For me a book/story could only be finished by it's author. I'm not one for head canon or whatever these things are called.

I've never experienced this scenario but yes I would find that very difficult.

You could always make your own story about how it all ends up.

It's hard when the author dies and you know that there will be no more stories and its unfinished.

I do miss the characters, I spent so much of my childhood relating to fictional people as there were so few non fictional ones, that it feels sort of akin to being dumped.

I hate ambiguous endings. I can cope when there is going to be another book. But if it's the end of a series, it drives me mad. I like it to have a definite ending.

I can feel quite upset when a series ends. They become such big parts of my life. I'm not sure I'd say I miss the characters so much, but the experience of reading about them and going on their journey with them I very much do miss.

I think it depends on how long the series is and whether there is anything more to say.

There have been some where I wanted more because the world was so rich, but mostly by 3 or 4 books it is starting to have run out of steam.

They can introduce more characters, but that defeats your original point.