Friday, July 8, 2011

Mourning books

When I get attached to a book (I mean, really attached) I will mourn its end. Regardless the ending, I am depressed that it’s over. This doesn’t happen very often but when it does, I really feel that I go into some kind of mourning.

I recently finished a series that had me absolutely captivated (800 pages in 2 days tells you something). When I read the final page, I was so content with the ending and so sad to have lost this new world. I mentioned this feeling to a coworker and she looked at me like I was an idiot.

So, I just want to throw this out there: Does anyone else mourn the end of a really good book? I can’t imagine that I’m the only one who goes through this. Or perhaps, is there a better way to describe it? Is it more of a withdrawal?

Regardless, I’m usually sad for a few days, consider reading it again, and finally choose a book that is a polar opposite of the book in mourning.

What books do you mourn and how do you deal?

10 comments:

Meg said...

First of all, I'm dying to know to what book you are referring! Secondly, I totally get that feeling. Part of me is anxious to reach the ending but then part of me is sad that it's over. I will spend a lot of time in the following days and weeks thinking about the book and it's characters. Jodi Picoult books actually give me an interesting feeling at the end. I'm always very anxious to find out the very ending but then I feel like they end too abruptly, leaving me feeling somewhat unresolved about the story. I mourn the end of the book because I feel like she forgot to include the last two chapters which really wrap up the story so then I get angry with her. Whatever, it keeps me coming back for more I guess!

Melissa said...

When I ended the Harry potter series in 2007 I felt so depressed and list. When I read it again in 2010 I felt the same way and that surprised me! I always hate finishing a good book. They stay with me for a long while after.

Addie said...

You are not crazy, I have had the same experience. The great thing with books is you CAN read it again. I once read a book three times in a row. That might be crazy.

Phi said...

I very much have this as well. I particularly get it if I really identify with a character. And can get it from subsequent readings almost as deeply as the first time around.
I think it just means were are more compassionate, emotionally aware people. ;)

Michelle said...

I do the same exact thing! But do tell, what wonderful series did you just finish?

I just finished Water for Elephants, and although I'm not mourning the end of that book... it was still a good read :)

Rick said...

I also get really sad about the end of books. And TV shows, even ones I don't particularly like. In regards to the former I am sad for myself that the experience is ending. In regards to the latter I am sad for the actors that their experience is ending. Boy, I am a WHACK JOB.

Amanda G said...

I totally feel the same way - particularly with books in a series. Even when I'm totally satisfied with the ending, I feel sad that I won't be hearing more about these characters. I also want to know what series you just finished! The suspense - it kills!!

Stef said...

I just finished reading The White Queen, by Philippa Gregory, and now I can't stop thinking about it and how angry I was in some of it. I can't get over it until I start a new book. It's so annoying!

Kaylyn said...

I do the same thing. I have a really hard time with it, especially if it is a book or series that I love.

The worst one for me so far, besides Harry Potter, has been The Hunger Games Series. I feel like Katniss is my little sister, and I am so sad to know that I will never get to read any further about her story.

I'm sure that it will continue to bother me in the future, but I guess that it's just part of the process for crazies like us. ;)

The Norths said...

Oh yes, definitely! It doesn't happen often, but oh it's painful when it does. It most recently happened with Gone With the Wind (but I refuse to read the so-called sequel because I don't believe in follow-ups by a diffent author. It just isn't right.) I usually cope by lying there pondering about it all for a while, and then grabbing another book to start. By the way, I too am dying to know what book you just finished!