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The 8 Masterpieces Authors Never Finished
These great works were left unfinished when their authors died.
Veröffentlicht am 16. Juni 2023
The Devil and Harper Lee
Mark SealHarper Lee only published one book in her lifetime, and that’s all she needed to land herself solidly among the greats of American literature. While the posthumous publication of “Go Set a Watchman” caused quite a stir, there’s an even deeper mystery behind Lee’s lack of writing. In this Scribd Original, find out more about the true-crime story Lee did extensive investigation for, but never managed to write about.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
Michelle McNamaraJournalist Michelle McNamara died while working on this masterful true-crime portrait of the Golden State Killer, which was published just months before police say they solved the 40-year-old case. Like Harper Lee, McNamara was haunted by this true crime case. An adaptation of this book into a documentary series is in production at HBO.
The Children Of Húrin
J. R. R. Tolkien“The Children of Húrin” is more complete than “The Silmarillion” and less dense than “The Lord of the Rings” (and its appendices), providing a great introduction for any new Tolkien fans or an interesting departure for established fans from Christopher Tolkien’s arcana. It is one of many Tolkien works published posthumously after being assembled from drafts by his son.
Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey ChaucerChaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” might be one of the most well-regarded and impactful incomplete works in English literature. It’s hard to overstate the influence Chaucer’s masterwork had way back in the 1400s, and how it continues to inspire contemporary artists.
Sanditon and The Watsons: Austen's Unfinished Novels
Jane AustenMany of Jane Austen’s works were published posthumously, and the tragedy of her times was that she had to publish many works anonymously because of her gender. These two novels remain incomplete, but are essential reads for anyone who adores Austen’s romantic commentaries.
The Garden of Eden
Ernest HemingwayPublishing an author’s work posthumously always comes with some level of controversy, but the release of Ernest Hemingway’s “The Garden of Eden” may be one of the most divisive cases. This story was never completed, and instead of having another writer take it to a conclusion, Hemingway’s relatives had the novel released with more than half of the original manuscript cut out. Nevertheless, “The Garden of Eden” is a fascinating read for anyone who buys into the mythology of Hemingway as one of the manliest of men, as it explores his complicated thoughts about gender.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Charles DickensWho killed Edwin Drood? The whodunit remains unsolved to this day, after Charles Dickens only completed half the story. A few months before his death, Dickens had offered to tell Queen Victoria about upcoming twists and turns, but she declined. You’ll just have to write your own ending to this mystery.