“I often feel that my life, much like my shows, will end on a cliffhanger.”
We’ve all been there. The heroes find themselves in a perilous situation, all the odds stacked against them, the tension is palpable, and then the words stop rolling and we’re left with a great big hole demanding to know what’s going to happen next. It’s a deliciously addictive feeling, and one that authors have been making use of for centuries. A cliffhanger is a device that closes a part of a story with the intention of keeping audiences hooked. To help give you a better sense of what cliffhangers are, how they work, and how and why writers use them, join us at What We Reading as we run you through our guide to cliffhangers and provide some examples of the best cliffhangers from books!
What Is A Cliffhanger?
As we mentioned in our introduction, a cliffhanger is a literary device in which a section of a narrative ends unresolved. Usually, these unresolved narratives are delivered in a tension-packed, suspenseful or shocking way, encouraging readers to either flick to the next chapter or pick up the story again in another sitting.
The term ‘cliffhanger’ comes from early twentieth-century films where characters would literally find themselves hanging off the edge of a cliff, leaving their fates unknown to the audience until the next instalment.
Whilst they are arguably more infamous in movies and television, cliffhangers are used by authors to end chapters and close out an entry in a series.
Types Of Cliffhangers
Cliffhanger endings typically fall into two categories:
- A shocking new development is revealed, which threatens to upend the course of the story.
- One of the major characters is forced to face a high-stakes, dangerous or life-threatening situation.
History Of Cliffhangers In Literature
The origins of cliffhangers in literature can be traced back to the early nineteenth century when they gained popularity in serialised novels. Writers such as Alexandre Dumas and Charles Dickens would release their stories in instalments; a good cliffhanger would ensure that readers would be eagerly invested in the next release.
5 Examples Of Cliffhangers In Books
Some of the best examples of cliffhangers from the literary world include:
Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince – J.K. Rowling
At the end of the sixth book in the series, Professor Dumbledore is killed by Severus Snape, who flees Hogwarts with Voldemort’s Death Eaters and reveals himself to be the Half-Blood Prince. Whilst Harry vows to continue the fight against the Dark Lord, readers are left to wonder how he will manage without his most powerful mentor.
A Game Of Thrones – George R.R. Martin
George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series is jam-packed full of cliffhanger endings designed to keep readers engrossed in the ultimate fate of Westeros. The first book, A Song of Ice and Fire, ends with the execution of Eddard Stark, the rise of Robb’s rebellion and the hatching of Daenerys Targaryen’s three dragon eggs.
Check Out These Books If You Love Game Of Thrones
Catching Fire – Suzanne Collins
The second book in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games trilogy concludes with Katniss being rescued by the rebellion and learning that District 12 has been destroyed. This sudden revelation about the state of the districts and her role in the larger conflict is designed to keep readers in suspense.
Check Out How To Read The Hunger Games Books In Order
Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl finishes with Amy’s revelation to Nick that she is pregnant, leaving him trapped in their toxic marriage. The ambiguity over Nick’s future and the unsettling feeling that comes from knowing their relationship creates a foreboding cliffhanger about their future together.
Check Out The Best Books Like Gone Girl
The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown
During the finale of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code sees Robert Langdon solve the final mystery of the Holy Grail’s location. However, the implications of his discovery and the unresolved tensions between him and Sophie Neveu leave readers pondering about potential future adventures and secrets.
Tips For Writing Cliffhangers
Effective cliffhangers in books rely on sudden and shocking moments that simultaneously catch readers off guard, demanding to know what happens next. Some of the best tips for writing cliffhangers we can offer include:
- Plan ahead: Before writing your story, map out an outline of the major events and where a cliffhanger might be most effective. Keep in mind your story’s pacing and structure to ensure that these cliffhangers are both natural and impactful.
- Leave a trail: By weaving in subtle hints and moments of foreshadowing throughout your story, you can create a sense of tension and anticipation for your readers. When the cliffhanger arises and is resolved, it will be all the more satisfying for them.
- Build expectation: Further on from the point above, work on gradually building the tension and suspense in your story. This sense of anticipation should be palpable for the reader which makes the cliffhanger produce as big a punch as possible.
- Encourage readers: One of the biggest secrets behind a good cliffhanger is how readers are able to speculate on how it might be resolved or overcome. Leave enough room for their imagination to run wild.
- Emotion, emotion, emotion: Emphasis the stakes involved with a cliffhanger. Emotionally-charged scenarios will heighten the tension and keep a reader invested in the narrative.
- Experiment with different types of cliffhangers: From unanswered questions to shocking twists, different types of cliffhangers can work better in different stories and at different times. Experiment with how and when you introduce cliffhangers to ensure they are as effective as possible.
- Know your audience: Think about the sorts of cliffhangers that work on you and in the genre you’re writing in. What sorts of cliffhangers will resonate with your audience? When and how frequently should they feature in your story?
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
