After watching Misery, the creepy story of Annie Wilkes who kidnaps and brutally tortures an author after he kills off one of her favorite characters, I got to thinking about what books I have read that left with such dissatisfaction that I would be tempted to write a very strongly worded letter to the author (I doubt I would ever reach Annie’s insanity in real life). I decided that one of those books would be the latest in the Harry Potter series: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. J.K. Rowling pulled the ultimate cop-out in her most recent novel. The epilogue is cheesy, corny, and ultimately unnecessary and left me with such a lingering saccharine aftertaste in my mouth that had not been present in her previous six novels that I had to pretend I had never read the ending. I know numerous people enjoyed the epilogue because they felt it completely wrapped up Harry’s story and left them with a definite sense of conclusion. I, on the other hand, prefer open endings where I can determine for myself what happens and change the story as I see fit. Gone With the Wind, for that very reason, is one of my favorite books. I can decide if Scarlett and Rhett get back together and on what terms, and one day if my mood is different while reading, I can change what happens to them.
Lately, however, it hasn’t been books that have left me dissatisfied, but rather wonderful books that have been brutally murdered in their conversion to film. Love in the Time of Cholera, a wonderful book by Gabriel Garcia Márquez, is magical realism at its finest and lost all of its power, mystery, and romance in adaptation to a film. Slaughtered, would be a NICE way to put it.
However, the prize for worst film adaptation would have to go to my absolute favorite childhood novel, Ella Enchanted. This book takes the classic Cinderella story and alters it so the heroine is no longer a weeping Princess, but rather a strong, witty girl who can save her entire kingdom. Upon watching it in the theater, however, the serious novel was adapted into a horrendous comedy with the satire, moral and joy gone, and replaced with horrible coverings of Queen’s “Somebody to Love” and Elton John’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” complete with tacky dancing. It was enough to make me want to break every DVD ever produced of that film. What about all of you? Any horrible endings to books that make you want to gouge your eyes out (or the authors)? Any book-to film conversions that make you want to pull an Annie Wilkes?
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2 comments:
I've never read one Harry Potter novel, nor seen any of the movies, and your comment about the ending of the most recent doesn't give me much motive to change that. I bet I might enjoy the first few, but if I did, and then was let down in the end such as you were...that would be a bummer...
I'm trying to think of a really crappy ending...maybe the most recent Dean Koontz book I've read. A couple wakes up to find their entire world changed. Environment completely altered, people missing and unaccounted for. Eventually moster/alien type creatures start appearing, as do young children... eventually it turns out aliens did come to planet Earth, and they killed off everyone save for a few adults and a horde of children..why you ask? To start the world anew, of course! All problems of humanity solved!! Lame.
There are many instances in which I have felt maybe there coulod have been a better ending in which it was more open ended. However, I usually get caught up in the moment. I feel that the book should have been tailored to my need and wants for the ending of the book. I believe thats how most people feel when the fell like they are discouraged with the books or movies endings. What I contests is that in fact the endings that make me want to rip my eyes out usually have a reason why they are formulated that way. I look at it from the authors point of view and wonder and question if he could be that stupid to write an ending like that. But then I realize how could I be criticizing him because I could in no way do a better job than whoever the director or author is (unless of course my profession was an author or movie director; however, I am just a student). I believe that there always is some purpose to an authors ending, whether he just want to finish up his series or leave it open ended as in each of the SAW movies. Whoever the author or director is I am sure contemplates for a long time on how is ending should be based on his purpose. Thus I believe instead of ripping my eyes out I should look somewhere else (perhaps going against Barthe).
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