Nonfiction Roundup

I am coming to understand the frustration of reading non-fiction. That whereas in fiction we expect, even demand, that loose ends be tied, that motivations be given, that all events have some sort of causality no matter how thinly constructed, that those characters we think deserve punishment are punished and those we hope to see rewarded find some sort of acceptable conclusion, reality and thus journalism feel no need to conform to that need to have answers, resolution, justice, logic, and all the things that neatly wrap up a narrative.

It is understanding this that should circumvent feeling betrayed by an inconclusive sketch, by stories that have no endings or endings that are infuriating, depressing, and then enraging all over again. But it doesn't, no matter how I (misguidedly) feel that these longer news pieces should somehow negate the ire that breaking news can set to festering in me.

But I'm also stumbling over that fascination of the unanswered, the so-strange-it-can't-be-made-up, the unexpected and the contrary-to-all-expectations that nonfiction has to offer.

I guess I won't be finishing the Harry Potter series any time soon . . .

( Will a depressing story a day keep all hope away? )