Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - End of Story

End of Story
End of Story
Author: Peter Abrahams
Ivy Seidel dreams of becoming a writer, a great American novelist. But running low on money and concerned that her writing might lack a depth and darkness, she takes a job teaching creative writing -- at a maximum-security prison. It is a world she has never experienced before, one ruled by enigmatic codes of honor, ceaseless aggression and abso...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780060726652
ISBN-10: 0060726652
Publication Date: 4/1/2006
Pages: 336
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 19

3.5 stars, based on 19 ratings
Publisher: William Morrow
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

5ducksfans avatar reviewed End of Story on + 92 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I love mystery/suspense where the main character is not a cop or PI.

That's about the only good thing I can say about this book. Interesting premise, but soooooo poorly executed. The story jumps forward illogically, and you're just supposed to accept the turn of events. The dialogue is IRRITATING: The main character says "I don't understand" so often that I not only noticed it, but started counting during the last 1/3 of the book. Had to keep up my interest somehow. And when the character says it, it is very stilted and sounds completely wrong. The rest of the writing is very disjointed as well. I only finished this book because I *did* want to see what happened, but I say don't waste your time. There are many brilliant mysteries out there, and this ranks WAY toward the bottom.
reviewed End of Story on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Great story! Suspenseful with many twists and turns. Excellent book about writing.
justread01 avatar reviewed End of Story on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting (if you like to write or are interested in writing/the process there's an extra intrigue) and kept my attention throughout, but I didn't really think it was "scary" as it says on the book (comments). One one level there's the mystery of the casino robbery and what happens to a missing woman. On the other level, there's a man in Ivy's prison writing class who fascinates her with his stories... Much more to the story, of course, but there's the idea. I guessed part of the outcome before the end, but it didn't really bother me because there's plenty to wonder about here. Great ending.
Read All 11 Book Reviews of "End of Story"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

TakingTime avatar reviewed End of Story on + 1072 more book reviews
good book...good ending... a female who teaches a writing class in a mens' prison...Peter Abrahams was a new author for me, but I will certainly read more of his work.
reviewed End of Story on + 92 more book reviews
When Ivy begins teaching a writing class in a nearby prison, she has no idea how much her life will change. But when Harrow joins the class and she reads his talented stories, she becomes convinced that he is innocent of the crime for which he is incarcerated. All her investigations into his background and the crime itself only reinforce her belief in his innocence. Although early on the reader figures out the "mystery," there is one final, unexpected twist on the last page. This is an absorbing book which grows on you.
ilovedale3 avatar reviewed End of Story on + 524 more book reviews
Interesting story with lots of suspense... but I HATED the ending!!!
NYbooks avatar reviewed End of Story on + 95 more book reviews
* * ½* Not 'scary' or 'thrilling' as the cover of the paperback edition describes. This is more mystery than anything. It is also a good study in character development.

Throughout, the characters are real; they jump right off the page, whether you care for them or not. They are real, that is, until the end, when unbelievable decisions are made; then all credibility is lost. At one crucial scene, I almost expected a character to yell out, "My hero!" That's how silly it became. Nice effort, sloppy ending.


Genres: