What Is The Author's Intent Behind The Historical Fiction Novel's Ending?

The ending of this historical fiction novel feels like a deliberate choice to leave readers with a sense of unresolved tension, almost as if the author wants us to grapple with the same uncertainties the characters face. It’s not a neatly tied bow, and that’s what makes it so compelling. The final scene, where the protagonist stands at the edge of a battlefield, staring at the horizon, isn’t about victory or defeat. It’s about the weight of choices and the ripple effects of history. The author doesn’t give us a clear answer about whether the protagonist’s sacrifices were worth it, and that ambiguity is the point. It forces us to confront the messy, often unanswerable questions that come with war and human conflict.

What struck me most was how the author uses the ending to mirror the broader themes of the novel. The protagonist’s journey isn’t just about their personal growth or survival; it’s a reflection of the larger historical forces at play. By leaving the ending open-ended, the author invites us to think about how history is shaped by individual actions, but also how those actions are often swallowed by the enormity of events. It’s a reminder that history isn’t just a series of facts—it’s a living, breathing thing, full of contradictions and unanswered questions.

I also think the author wanted to challenge the idea of closure. So many historical fiction novels wrap up with a sense of resolution, as if the past can be neatly understood or explained. But this novel doesn’t do that. Instead, it leaves us with a lingering sense of unease, as if to say that the past is never truly behind us. It’s a bold move, and it works because it feels true to the complexity of the story. The ending doesn’t just conclude the narrative—it extends it, pushing us to keep thinking about the characters and their world long after we’ve closed the book.

If you’re into historical fiction that doesn’t shy away from complexity, I’d recommend 'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah. It’s another story that doesn’t offer easy answers, but instead dives deep into the moral gray areas of war. For something with a similar sense of historical weight, 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr is also worth checking out. Both novels, like this one, remind us that history is never just black and white—it’s a tapestry of human choices, consequences, and the stories we tell about them.