I just finished a book, and the main protagonist died.

It makes me sad to the point that I can’t even smile. When I try to, I end up grimacing instead.

I know by reading a book that there’s a huge risk it will give you a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but still. It’s as if you can do something about it.

It’s hard. It’s like my heart has been beaten, crumpled down, and torn to pieces.

Now it feels hollow, empty, and bloody.

It’s painful. My body becomes heavy; it’s like my world stopped revolving the moment the character/s died.

I don’t want to think about it, but it keeps on playing in my head; reminding me that it will never be the same again, that the character is gone. Poof.

It seems like I lost a very special person in my life (every time a fictional character dies).

You can never really get over a fictional character’s death. Their absence is so real, your denial won’t have a chance of surviving.

But you can move on. You can carry their words and memories in your heart, though they will always feel raw. And you can’t recall their stories without being nostalgic. And sentimental.

I wonder what the writers felt after killing the characters they created.

I’m just a reader, but I grew attached to the characters they brought to life.

At some point, I wanted to throw a (the) book away because of my emotions. Not in a torturous way, because I’m a lover of books.

I can’t imagine the writers being apathetic.

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I have a question.

If the ending of the book is not HEA (Happily Ever After), would you rather:

A. The protagonist died.

B. The main characters didn't end up together.

C. Open ended.

No, don't tell me it depends on the story.

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Also, these are the fictional characters whose deaths I’ll net get over.  (Their deaths were significant to the novels, but still.) :

(I didn’t include the characters of Nicholas Sparks)

(BEWARE. SPOILERS)

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Will Herondale

Augustus Waters

Tris Prior

Finnick Odair

Prim Everdeen

Uriah Pedrad

Rue

Zane

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Share your list by commenting below, and let’s talk about the characters as if they’re still alive in the literary world.