I'm Thinking of Ending Things (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | Iain Reid |
| Products | Psychological thriller, horror fiction novel |
| Parent | Simon & Schuster |
I'm Thinking of Ending Things marks the 2016 literary debut of Canadian author Iain Reid, released in the United States by Simon & Schuster. This work, blending elements of psychological thriller and horror fiction, centers on a young woman who, despite harboring uncertainties about her relationship, embarks on a road trip with her boyfriend to visit his parents.
The novel earned recognition as one of the top books of 2016 by National Public Radio, was shortlisted for the 2016 Shirley Jackson Award, and was included on the 2017 Ottawa Independent Writers Frank Hegyi Award longlist. In 2020, Netflix premiered a film adaptation scripted and directed by Charlie Kaufman, featuring performances by Jesse Plemons, Jessie Buckley, Toni Collette, and David Thewlis.
Plot summary
Narrated by Jake’s unnamed girlfriend, the story begins with their meeting at a college trivia event. Several weeks later, she joins him on a journey to his parents’ isolated farm. Although she contemplates "ending things," this intention remains unspoken to Jake. Their drive is filled with philosophical conversations.
The visit to Jake’s parents proves disconcerting; the couple faces awkward inquiries and unsettling incidents, including a childhood photo of Jake that bears an uncanny resemblance to her, intensifying the unease. On their way back, they stop at a Dairy Queen, where she notices an employee she vaguely recognizes but cannot place. Later, Jake throws away garbage near an abandoned high school and initiates an intimate moment in the car but abruptly halts after recalling the janitor observing them. Frustrated, Jake leaves her alone and confronts the janitor inside.
Left waiting in the car, she ventures inside to find Jake but becomes disoriented and senses someone following her. As she recalls traumatic events from her past, her narration becomes fragmented and identities start to merge. She arrives at the gym—despite never having been there before—and experiences physical decline while shifting from "I" to "we." It gradually emerges that she and Jake are manifestations of the same person.
Assuming a combined identity, she reaches the janitor’s office and hides in a closet, reflecting on how Jake had hoped to reconnect with her after their trivia night encounter but ultimately resorted to writing about her to maintain an imagined relationship. The narrator undergoes a mental collapse as this illusion unravels. The janitor—revealed as middle-aged Jake—discovers her, offers a metal clothes hanger, and utters, "I'm thinking of ending things." The narrator then fatally stabs herself with it, identifying solely as "Jake."
Interspersed throughout are chapters featuring two strangers discussing a tragic event at the school—initially suggested as murder but later clarified as suicide. They explore Jake’s history: a former student who dropped out three decades earlier and subsequently worked as the janitor; his solitary existence; and his journals that explain his fate.
Background
Reid dedicated approximately three years to crafting this novel, drawing inspiration from his upbringing on a remote farm in Ontario and nighttime drives along rural Canadian roads. He intentionally left the conclusion ambiguous, encouraging readers to actively interpret the narrative.
Upon completion, Reid encountered difficulties securing a publisher; most Canadian publishers declined until Simon & Schuster extended a modest offer. The novel eventually appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list, was translated into more than twenty languages, and adapted into a feature film.
Reception
Lloyd Sachs, writing for the Chicago Tribune, described I'm Thinking of Ending Things as "one of the most daring and inventive literary thrillers in recent memory," highlighting Reid's skill as "an expert in building suspense" who adeptly integrates the novel's philosophical complexity. Sachs encouraged multiple readings to fully appreciate its intricate puzzles and psychological depth.
On the other hand, Hannah Pittard of The New York Times expressed dissatisfaction with the novel’s use of alternating narratives, labeling it a "bait-and-switch technique" that felt contrived. She argued that the narrator revealed too little information and criticized the climax as hurried and unfulfilling, with plot twists resolved too easily.
In The Australian, Pip Smith acknowledged the story’s thriller aspects but contended that Reid "undermines his premise" by sticking closely to genre conventions. Smith took issue with the depiction of Jake's girlfriend, describing her as lacking intelligence and interpreting her portrayal as a cynical male fantasy rather than an authentic character. She summarized that although the book delves into themes such as intellect, social discomfort, and imagination, it is hindered by a narrator who lacks substance. Smith also noted that while rereading can uncover additional layers, many readers might overlook its subtle examinations of fate and free will.
External links
- I'm Thinking of Ending Things at Fantastic Fiction
- I'm Thinking of Ending Things at Simon & Schuster
- I'm Thinking of Ending Things reader discussions