Rowling vs. Miles

There's something about stories that are more about the journey than the end. The reader follows the main character through the trials, the triumphs, and the revelations. No thrill can match that of the reader when the hero (or anti-hero, depending your forte) realizes his most important epiphany.

I always have a sense of sadness at the end of such novels--as long as they are well-written. The true author leaves the ending to the reader. The penman gives a gentle push in a general direction, but the ending is left incomplete. Why couldn't you just finish the book!? Perhaps because such anger is less disappointing than an author who does not trust the reader. Such a writer completes the hero's journey in some half-hearted conclusion she thinks the audience will appreciate. This is how J. K. Rowling ruined a perfect series with one awful epilogue.

A good book is one which parallels life to some degree. Hence the great disappointment of a finished read. There is nothing interesting about a life whose ending is already known. It's why the pursuit is so much more thrilling than the catch. We (I use this royally) need something of the unexpected to imagine the future. If we know how the story ends, why keep writing it. We take action in our lives because we hope it will somehow affect the future. Otherwise, what's the point of even getting out of bed?

So, a toast to you, Mr. Miles, for allowing me the pleasure of imagining the various ramifications of Bennie's reunion whit his daughter. As for you, Ms. Rowling, I reject your ending and insert my own possibilities.

*As deep as this reflection may or may not be, I must comment on the humor of a Mr. Miles writing a book about an airline.