Very Simple Question Regarding the Ending

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danielma
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Very Simple Question Regarding the Ending

Post by danielma » Fri Sep 14, 2012 1:22 pm

So I am about to start reading The Final Processing in Let the Old Dreams Die...I have heard that it basically brings closure to Handling the Undead and is the ending that Lindqvist wanted initially. (or I'm sure I've heard that been said before on this board, if someone can correct me then please feel free)

But it got me thinking...there seems to be two schools of thoughts regarding the current ending...one school is that the ending just fizzles out as the book goes nowhere...while the other, and this is the one I subscribe to, believes that it actually does have an emotional closure to it. That the fate of society being left in the air doesn't necessarily matter and that the real ending is within the emotional journey that the central characters take and how they all learn to let go in the end.

But I thought I'd pose the question before I start reading The Final Processing

Do you believe that Handling as is has a fitting ending or do you think it fizzled out in the end????

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Nightrider
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Re: Very Simple Question Regarding the Ending

Post by Nightrider » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:03 pm

Originally I thought HTU had an appropriate conclusion. When I heard of and subsequently read "The Final Handling" (as it was called a year or so ago) it seemed like a nice addendum which developed roles of some of the principal players and pushed the novel's universe further into the metaphysical realm. My opinion on "The Final Processing" is the same that I hold on the relevance of "Let The Old Dreams Die". I loved the original open-ended finale of "Let The Right One In" and did not need to know the fate of the novel's characters preferring instead to fill in the blanks with my imagination. Having said that, I love the fact that "Let The Old Dreams Die" and "The Final Processing" exist because they're so much fun to read. In the end it's up to each individual reader to decide what to do with those two short stories. I like them because to me it means more good Lindquist stuff to slog through and that in itself ain't such a bad thing. 8-)
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drakkar
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Re: Very Simple Question Regarding the Ending

Post by drakkar » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:56 pm

I liked The Final Processing very much, mostly because of
danielma wrote:it actually does have an emotional closure to it.
. It fits John's style, IMO. It also was the first time I encountered John's marvellous humour - the story is full of it! :D
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EEA
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Re: Very Simple Question Regarding the Ending

Post by EEA » Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:33 pm

Handling the Undead is the one book that I like the least. Some of the characters I just did not care about what would happen to them. The only reason I read the book was to see what was going to happen to Anna, Flora's grandma, and to Malher. I liked the ending. I also liked the humor in the story. I cannot remember the character's name but the things that she said were funny. I am still looking forward to reading the short story though. ;)

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Re: Very Simple Question Regarding the Ending

Post by drakkar » Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:54 pm

EEA wrote:Handling the Undead is the one book that I like the least. Some of the characters I just did not care about what would happen to them.
Agreed, it has the least good language. I guess this is the reason I like The Final Processing so much - I like the style better.
For the heart life is simple. It beats as long as it can.
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EEA
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Re: Very Simple Question Regarding the Ending

Post by EEA » Mon Sep 24, 2012 6:11 pm

I just started reading The Final Processing. So far is good. Feel like I am revisiting the place were story took place again.

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StefL
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Re: Very Simple Question Regarding the Ending

Post by StefL » Thu Sep 27, 2012 2:26 pm

Since I read both Handling the Undead and The Final Handling (as I've gotten used to calling it) so close after one another (in Swedish) I can't quite recall how I felt about the closure part of HtU. However one way of putting it would be to say that it brought closure to some of the characters and issues while some where left open. And it's these that JAL goes deeper into in TFH - or should we abbreviate it TFP?
Furtheremore, it's also a tremendous love story - and it contains a definite element of humour as well - so I'd absolutely recommend it.

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Re: Very Simple Question Regarding the Ending

Post by Drakeule » Sun Aug 02, 2015 6:52 am

I know I'm way late on this one but anyway. I liked final process, it let me hear what happens to Flora, my favorite character. Was a bit put off by the addition of the "Stranger" character. I thought it would have been better if it ended with just the government as the bad guy. Oh well. I loved most of it, and respect his story telling.

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