Four Favorite Last Sentences

Before I begin, let me just make it known that Kamama graciously allowed me to write about this when I told her I was interested in it. Maybe if she wanted, she could write a sequel with some of her favorite books!

First of all, I have to say that this might be a tad spoiler-ish, but not extremely. I had to take away one sentence that I liked that was way too much information (it basically told you what happened in one sentence). I also had to take away one from Dreamlander that wouldn’t have made sense (very sad). I searched my books on my bookshelf for the best last sentences of some of my favorite books and here is what I came up with.

From The Charlatan’s Boy by Jonathan Rogers

“And ain’t that beautiful?” (Rogers 305)

Although this story wasn’t my favorite of all time, it was good to read and I enjoyed how the ending was written. This last sentence truly sums up the feelings and personality of the character in a simple question. It’s one of those sentences where the reader can sigh and say, “That was a nice ending.” Also, questions at the end of the story are like turning to the reader and saying, “What do you think about this?” It’s a clever and compelling way to finish.

From Sir Knight of the Splendid Way by W.E. Cule

“Come, He has been waiting for you.” (Cule 181)

Okay. I must gush over this book for a while. This story is one of my favorites of all time. It is an allegory depicting the journey of a knight who is following the King. It is a beautiful picture of the Christian walk, and it impacts me every time I read it. The wonderful part about this sentence is that it leaves the ending open. There is still a mystery and a hope that the best is yet to come, as they say. Almost as if all the journey that has come before has been pointing to this moment, but we can’t truly explain what the moment will be like. I love how there’s a sense of awe and longing, even when the story is over.

From A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens:

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.” (Dickens 393)

Most people think of the first sentence when they think of this classic book. And yet, as I read this story for school, I found the ending very compelling and emotional. I love how human Dickens makes his characters, and I love how he wraps up the ending with sacrifice. Rest is something that we all seek and it is fitting that rest should be at the end of a book of turmoil like this.

From The Warden and the Wolf King by Andrew Peterson:

“Are you coming?” (Peterson 519)

I think that this must be mentioned, and interestingly, it is very similar to Sir Knight of the Splendid Way. I can see the expression in the face of the character who says it, and it leaves the ending open as well. There is a lot of controversy over the last sections of the story, and I still don’t know exactly how I feel about it. But what I do know is that this sentence beckons the reader to another journey. The book is done, yes, but the story is not over. Will we know what happens afterward? No. The author leaves it up to the reader to decide.

I hope you enjoyed those endings, and I hope you look up your own books to see what your favorite sentences are. Or if you are writing, think about how to end with that compelling sentence. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but think about finding something that lingers with the reader as he ends your story and closes the book. Leave it open, or ask a question, or give a feeling of peace, or simply say something that will make the reader think.

~Evelyn Knight

Biographical Info:

Cule, W.E. Sir Knight of the Splendid Way. Lamplighter Publishing, 2017.

Dickens, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. Sweet Water Press, 2015.

Peterson, Andrew. The Warden and the Wolf King. Rabbit Room Press, 2014.

Rogers, Jonathan. The Charlatan's Boy. Waterbrook Press, 2010.