[stylist] Tragic endings?

[helene ryles]

What do people think of sad/tragic endings?

rounding off a story is difficult in any case. Some books I've enjoyed
seem to spoil it a bit by creating superficially 'happy' endings that
aren't very realistic.

Should a writer always aim for a happy ending or is it better to let
the events in the book take their natural course. Even if it involves
some of the major good characters being killed or seriously wounded
and the villans getting the power they were craving for?

What about if a book with a tragic ending has a sequel where the
Villans are eventually have to face up to their evil actions?

Helene