Clues on the ending of Forever, by Maggie Stiefvater

11Oct11

Before I begin, let me say that I’ve chosen to address only the ending of this book, so this isn’t exactly a review in the traditional sense. The rest was what you’d expect from Stiefvater – lyrical, evocative and character-driven. Of course I loved it; the characters could be sitting around evocatively eating sandwiches and I’d love it. I’m biased.

But The Ending (stop now if you wish to avoid SPOILERS) – which is not really an ending. I’d been waiting for it since Shiver was first released, so I was expecting closure sufficient to justify years of angst. But it didn’t come.

I mean, I kind of got it. The whole point is that the characters emerge from adolescence and learn to brave the real world, where everybody lives life with uncertainties hanging over them. But would it have killed Stiefvater to give us rabid readers a bit of closure?

That night, as I lay in bed stewing, I realised Stiefvater left many clues. And because the first thing I did after I closed the book was to check if anyone else had any insight, I’ll give mine here. Let me say this though: the journey is more satisfying when you arrive at it yourself, so you should stop reading here. That said, here we go.

My first argument is probably my weakest, and it’s this: Against all odds, Sam didn’t die. Cole didn’t die. It’s entirely likely the Grace won’t die. If she breaks the pattern, it would have made quite the story. And since Stiefvater didn’t tell it, you’ve got to assume it’s because there isn’t a story to tell. Because Grace doesn’t die.

My second: Cole says Grace won’t die, and Cole has never once been wrong. Stiefvater stresses that again and again. It’s as straightforward an answer as you’re going to get from her.

My third: Grace’s story mirrors Sam’s. The poetry of Stiefvater’s writing demands that she not break the pattern. Sam survives. Ergo, Grace will survive.

In the end, I think this is the best ending for the book, because happily ever after is usually boring. By ending the novel this way, Stiefvater forces you to think about what you’ve read and what she wants you to take away – something I rarely do these days – which is a testament to her skill as a storyteller. Besides, uncertainty is what makes life exciting, and perhaps that’s the way I’d prefer for Sam and Grace’s story to end. Because it doesn’t. End, that is.