A problem in a lot of modern fiction

[AngryOldDem]

10. Yes.

And I think YA fiction is the poster child for formulaic fiction, which to me is kind of an insult to its readers. Kids can appreciate a well-told and well-written story just as much as anyone else.

I just finished "Year of Wonders," by Geraldine Brooks. It's been out for a couple of years and was the topic of a recent segment on NPR's Diane Rehm Show. On the show, the panel gave glowing reviews of the book, except for the ending, which they called implausible. After reading it, I have to agree. Up until that point the book was compelling. I don't know if authors just reach a point where they just don't know where to take the book next, or if they just want out of it so they end it.

It's one thing to leave a reader wondering in his or her own imagination what happened next to the characters, but it's another thing entirely to have the feeling that everything just fell off a cliff, if you get my meaning.