Follow TV Tropes

Following

History WhatHappenedToTheMouse / Literature

Go To

OR

Added: 794

Changed: 249

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* In some of Tolkien's older works such as ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'', there are several minor characters that are simply never mentioned again with no resolution, although this can be forgiven since he never completed those works in his lifetime.

to:

* ''Franchise/TolkiensLegendarium'':
**
In some of Tolkien's Creator/JRRTolkien's older works such as ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'', there are several minor characters that are simply never mentioned again with no resolution, although this can be forgiven since he never completed those works in his lifetime.lifetime.
** ''Literature/BerenAndLuthien'': After getting beaten by Lúthien and Huan, Morgoth's lieutenant Sauron flees and is not seen heard of again for the remainder of the First Age.


Added DiffLines:

* ''Literature/TheSonOfTheIronworker'': At the beginning of the novel, Martin's family is forced to flee to the north of the country, leaving him behind, and they are not seen again. Although Martín's plan was to emigrate to the Indies and bring his parents and siblings over the ocean, it is unknown whether he carried it out after becoming established.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* Amoret's and Scudamour's parties eventually meet up, but Spenser forgets to rewrite the epic reunion scene he cut from the first draft of ''Literature/TheFaerieQueene'''s third book.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''Literature/LatawnyaTheNaughtyHorseLearnsToSayNoToDrugs'':
** The beginning establishes that Latawnya has seven sisters and one brother named Gregory, however, the only siblings who we see in the book are two of the sisters, Daisy and Latoya.
** Latawnya's EstablishingCharacterMoment shows her demonstrating her copycat tendencies by imitating a noise she heard, yet it's never revealed what made the noise.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Added Tongueless from Red Rising

Added DiffLines:

* The fourth book in Pierce Brown's ''Literature/RedRising'' series introduces a mysterious, tongueless obsidian only named (appropriately) Tongueless. His backstory and reasons for having his tongue cut out are not revealed, but are hinted to be important. Ultimately it all amounted to nothing when he was abruptly removed from the story via [[spoiler: being cut into pieces by Ajax]]. Prior to this fan speculation as to his true identity was widespread, with theories emerging that he was secretly Ragnar's father, that he was the Jackal carved into an obsidian, or that he was [[spoiler: somehow related to Lilath, leader of the Syndicate]]. Brown later confirmed in a Q&A that the latter theory was correct, and that he'd decided to [[spoiler: drop it and kill him off to showcase Ajax's power]].

Added: 524

Changed: 1327

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* At the end of the ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'' book Night Of The Living Dummy II, [[KillerDoll Slappy]] is given a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown by Dennis (the protagonist's old dummy) which results in Slappy's head getting cracked open, and a large white worm-like creature crawling out of it, then escaping through a crack in the wall. Seeing as Slappy is the franchise's most iconic and recurring antagonist, it seems a bit odd that this was never explained nor brought up again. Also one of the rare literary examples of a DiabolusExNihilo.
** In ''Calling All Creeps,'' some disguised aliens are looking for their leader, who came to Earth separately, and incorrectly believe that it's the protagonist, Ricky. We never find out why their real leader hasn't joined up with them. Also, Ricky's friend Iris finds out about this situation and tries to help Ricky stop the Creeps, but we don't learn her reaction to the TwistEnding, as she's simply not mentioned for the last few pages. The [[Series/{{Goosebumps}} TV adaptation]] has her looking on in horror.

to:

* ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'':
**
At the end of the ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'' book Night Of The Living Dummy II, ''Literature/NightOfTheLivingDummyII'', [[KillerDoll Slappy]] is given a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown by Dennis (the protagonist's old dummy) which results in Slappy's head getting cracked open, and a large white worm-like creature crawling out of it, then escaping through a crack in the wall. Seeing as Slappy is the franchise's most iconic and recurring antagonist, it seems a bit odd that this was never explained nor brought up again. Also one of the rare literary examples of a DiabolusExNihilo.
** In ''Calling All Creeps,'' ''Literature/CallingAllCreeps,'' some disguised aliens are looking for their leader, who came to Earth separately, and incorrectly believe that it's the protagonist, Ricky. We never find out why their real leader hasn't joined up with them. Also, Ricky's friend Iris finds out about this situation and tries to help Ricky stop the Creeps, but we don't learn her reaction to the TwistEnding, as she's simply not mentioned for the last few pages. The [[Series/{{Goosebumps}} [[Series/Goosebumps1995 TV adaptation]] has her looking on in horror.

Added: 339

Changed: 1

Removed: 327

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''Literature/BernieRhodenbarr'': In ''The Burglar in the Library'', the cause of the cook's death is never revealed. Carolyn complains that if someone dies in an English country-house mystery, you always know whodunit by the end of the book, and Bernie replies that events are left unresolved all the time [[ThisIsReality in real life]].



* In ''Literature/BrokenVeil'' the question of where [[spoiler:Mjolnir]] ends up after Dillon Maxwell is able to cast it away is never answered, which is particularly glaring because it was made into a big deal, only to be lost before the true climax. Dillon's claim that it's flown all the way to Mongolia could just be hyperbole.

to:

* In ''Literature/BrokenVeil'' ''Literature/BrokenVeil'', the question of where [[spoiler:Mjolnir]] ends up after Dillon Maxwell is able to cast it away is never answered, which is particularly glaring because it was made into a big deal, only to be lost before the true climax. Dillon's claim that it's flown all the way to Mongolia could just be hyperbole.



* In Lawrence Block's ''Literature/TheBurglarInTheLibrary'' the cause of the cook's death is never revealed. Carolyn complains that if someone dies in an English country-house mystery you always know whodunit by the end of the book and Bernie replies that events are left unresolved all the time [[ThisIsReality in real life]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Sturgis Podmore, a member of the Order, is put under the Imperius curse by Death Eaters and is made to break into the Department of Mysteries in book 5. He is sentenced to Azkaban. Upon learning about this, nobody shows any concern for him or the fact that he's going to the [[Room101 most awful place on Earth]]. After he is presumably released, he is never mentioned again and is not even seen in the Order.
** It was never explained what was behind the veil [[spoiler:that Sirius fell through when dying]] in book 5, though as it is in the Department of Mysteries, it is likely that no-one knows. Even though in the movie [[spoiler:Sirius was dying as he fell]], in the book it's obvious that [[spoiler:the fall through the arch is what killed him]]. So, it's fairly clear what lies behind the arch, especially when you take into account what Harry heard from it. Luna's comments to Harry at the end of the book would seem to confirm this theory, but then again, [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} consider the source]].

to:

** Sturgis Podmore, a member of the Order, is put under the Imperius curse by Death Eaters and is made to break into the Department of Mysteries in book 5.''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix Order of the Phoenix]]''. He is sentenced to Azkaban. Upon learning about this, nobody shows any concern for him or the fact that he's going to the [[Room101 most awful place on Earth]]. After he is presumably released, he is never mentioned again and is not even seen in the Order.
** It was never explained what was behind the veil [[spoiler:that Sirius fell through when dying]] in book 5, ''Order of the Phoenix'', though as it is in the Department of Mysteries, it is likely that no-one knows. Even though in the movie [[spoiler:Sirius was dying as he fell]], in the book it's obvious that [[spoiler:the fall through the arch is what killed him]]. So, it's fairly clear what lies behind the arch, especially when you take into account what Harry heard from it. Luna's comments to Harry at the end of the book would seem to confirm this theory, but then again, [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} consider the source]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* In Robert Bloch's ''The Yougoslaves'' (sic), a gang of murderous, {{brainwashed|AndCrazy}} boys is shown [[{{Squick}} raping a little girl]]. The boys are eventually killed. No mention is made of what happens to the girl.

to:

* In Robert Bloch's ''The Yougoslaves'' ''Literature/TheYougoslaves'' (sic), a gang of murderous, {{brainwashed|AndCrazy}} boys is shown [[{{Squick}} raping a little girl]]. The boys are eventually killed. No mention is made of what happens to the girl.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Towards the middle of ''Reset -- Never Again'', the two villains, who are Asian, try to hire a detective to find the whereabouts of the heroes. It turns out, however, that the detective is a member of the Oriental Exclusion League, and says that she is going to tell their leader, one Tveitmoe, about what had happened. Neither Tveitmoe nor the detective are ever mentioned again, and the villains do not appear to be hampered by any bigots after that.

to:

* Towards the middle of ''Reset -- Never Again'', Literature/NeverAgain'', the two villains, who are Asian, try to hire a detective to find the whereabouts of the heroes. It turns out, however, that the detective is a member of the Oriental Exclusion League, and says that she is going to tell their leader, one Tveitmoe, about what had happened. Neither Tveitmoe nor the detective are ever mentioned again, and the villains do not appear to be hampered by any bigots after that.



* Played irritatingly straight in Jodi Picoult's novel ''A Spark Of Light'', where any character not named Wren, Hugh or Bex is ignored in the epilogue - including the person who arguably kicked off the entire plot (albeit unwittingly), [[spoiler: Beth - aka, Lil, the shooter's daughter.]]

to:

* Played irritatingly straight in Jodi Picoult's novel ''A Spark Of Light'', ''Literature/ASparkOfLight'', where any character not named Wren, Hugh or Bex is ignored in the epilogue - including the person who arguably kicked off the entire plot (albeit unwittingly), [[spoiler: Beth - aka, Lil, the shooter's daughter.]]



* Literature/TomRobbins's ''Still Life with Woodpecker'' hangs a lampshade on this, when Leigh-Cheri's reaction to the story of the Princess and the Toad is "Whatever happened to the Golden Ball?" (that the princess was chasing when she first found the Toad.)

to:

* Literature/TomRobbins's ''Still Life with Woodpecker'' ''Literature/StillLifeWithWoodpecker'' hangs a lampshade on this, when Leigh-Cheri's reaction to the story of the Princess and the Toad is "Whatever happened to the Golden Ball?" (that the princess was chasing when she first found the Toad.)



* ''A Story with Details'' by Grigoriy Oster is built around multiple aversions. In the first chapter an amusement park manager starts to tell a short fairy tale to the carousel horses. The second chapter is a story about a misbehaving boy at a zoo. Then horses start asking questions about unimportant characters, like the policeman the boy threatened or the rhinos who looked at the boy disapprovingly. The following 42 chapters are the manager's answers that create more questions and more answers. When he finally finishes and leaves in the morning, one horse recalls they forgot to ask about a she-elephant with a calf, and should ask next night.

to:

* ''A Story with Details'' ''Literature/AStoryWithDetails'' by Grigoriy Oster is built around multiple aversions. In the first chapter an amusement park manager starts to tell a short fairy tale to the carousel horses. The second chapter is a story about a misbehaving boy at a zoo. Then horses start asking questions about unimportant characters, like the policeman the boy threatened or the rhinos who looked at the boy disapprovingly. The following 42 chapters are the manager's answers that create more questions and more answers. When he finally finishes and leaves in the morning, one horse recalls they forgot to ask about a she-elephant with a calf, and should ask next night.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* W.E.B. Griffin's ''The Corps'' series has many viewpoint characters simply vanish from the narrative, especially when the series timeskips into Korea. While a couple are at least given some resolution, many simply vanish between books.

to:

* W.E.B. Griffin's ''The Corps'' ''Literature/TheCorps'' series has many viewpoint characters simply vanish from the narrative, especially when the series timeskips into Korea. While a couple are at least given some resolution, many simply vanish between books.



* Reiko from Creator/JamesMichener's ''Hawaii'' simply disappears toward the end. She's a secondary character with an interesting plotline, but after [[spoiler:her husband dies]] she's never heard from again, leaving the reader to wonder whether she ever accomplished her thwarted dreams.

to:

* Reiko from Creator/JamesMichener's ''Hawaii'' ''Literature/{{Hawaii}}'' simply disappears toward the end. She's a secondary character with an interesting plotline, but after [[spoiler:her husband dies]] she's never heard from again, leaving the reader to wonder whether she ever accomplished her thwarted dreams.



* In ''Malpractice in Maggody'', every member of the rehab clinic's staff eventually deserts the place or is called away except for Dr. Stonebridge, who's passed out drunk in his apartment, and the guard dog that's last overheard barking in its kennel. It's implied that Stonebridge will end up doing cut-rate face lifts in Mexico, but nothing's said about the dog's fate.

to:

* In ''Malpractice in Maggody'', ''Literature/MalpracticeInMaggody'', every member of the rehab clinic's staff eventually deserts the place or is called away except for Dr. Stonebridge, who's passed out drunk in his apartment, and the guard dog that's last overheard barking in its kennel. It's implied that Stonebridge will end up doing cut-rate face lifts in Mexico, but nothing's said about the dog's fate.



* In ''The Nightmare Factory'', Dan is scarred by a creature called a Septaurus and slowly begins to transform into one (basically a family-friendly version of FaceFullOfAlienWingWong ). Oran gives him a potion that suppresses this transformation, even though it tastes terrible. In the sequel, ''Rise of the Shadowmares'', there is no mention of this transformation whatsoever. There isn't even any mention of the potion, despite the fact that some of the time intervals Dan has to spend between drinking it would [[MagicAIsMagicA canonically be long enough for him to start transforming again.]]

to:

* In ''The Nightmare Factory'', ''Literature/TheNightmareFactory'', Dan is scarred by a creature called a Septaurus and slowly begins to transform into one (basically a family-friendly version of FaceFullOfAlienWingWong ). Oran gives him a potion that suppresses this transformation, even though it tastes terrible. In the sequel, ''Rise of the Shadowmares'', there is no mention of this transformation whatsoever. There isn't even any mention of the potion, despite the fact that some of the time intervals Dan has to spend between drinking it would [[MagicAIsMagicA canonically be long enough for him to start transforming again.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* In Lawrence Block's ''The Burglar in the Library'' the cause of the cook's death is never revealed. Carolyn complains that if someone dies in an English country-house mystery you always know whodunit by the end of the book and Bernie replies that events are left unresolved all the time [[ThisIsReality in real life]].

to:

* In Lawrence Block's ''The Burglar in the Library'' ''Literature/TheBurglarInTheLibrary'' the cause of the cook's death is never revealed. Carolyn complains that if someone dies in an English country-house mystery you always know whodunit by the end of the book and Bernie replies that events are left unresolved all the time [[ThisIsReality in real life]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* While every other brain in the Council of Egos is named, the actual identity of the titular Sinister Brain Mollusk deals with throughout ''Literature/EmperorMolluskVersusTheSinisterBrain'' is never revealed. The only clues we ever get is that he was brought into the Council for his skills in espionage and, in lieu of a name when Mollusk asks for it, asks to be addressed as "Omega." Not liking the name, Mollusk decides to call him "Buddy."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* In ''Literature/{{Tolivers Secret}}'', redcoats Higgins and Dow disappear from the narrative after Ellen runs into them on their march in Perth Amboy, [[spoiler:and there's no mention of what happened to them in the Battle of Trenton in the epilogue.]] Somewhat {{lampshade|Hanging}}d by Ellen, who notes that she'll never see Higgins again after her mission because he's on the enemy side.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Redundant.


* ''Literature/ZaraHossainIsHere'': We never learn if Alan Benson was convicted or not for shooting Zara's father, though given it seems there was significant evidence that seems probable.

to:

* ''Literature/ZaraHossainIsHere'': We never learn if Alan Benson was convicted or not for shooting Zara's father, though given it seems there was significant evidence that seems looks probable.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''Literature/ThirdTimeLuckyAndOtherStoriesOfTheMostPowerfulWizardInTheWorld'': Magdelene's son is [[FountainOfYouth de-aged into an infant]] when she beats him at the end of the "Third Time Lucky". It's unsaid what is done with him after that, but he isn't in her care later with the next stories.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Several ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'' ExpandedUniverse novels mention princess Calia Menethil, the older sister of BigBad prince (and now Lich King) Arthas Menethil. Calia's fate has never been revealed; in each book, she simply drops out of sight and is never mentioned again. She is the subject of several EpilepticTrees in fan circles.

to:

* Several ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'' ExpandedUniverse novels mention princess Calia Menethil, the older sister of BigBad prince (and now Lich King) Arthas Menethil. Calia's fate has never been revealed; in each book, she simply drops out of sight and is never mentioned again. She is the subject of several EpilepticTrees in fan circles. That is, until she began appearing in World of Warcraft in the sixth expansion, Legion. Since then, she has had important developments in both the ongoing MMORPG and the novels.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Added "Above the Timberline" Example

Added DiffLines:

* ''Literature/AboveTheTimberline'': The villainous Wilkes kidnaps Wesley Singleton's mother Elizabeth to ensure that Wesley will cooperate in locating Galen Singleton (Wesley's father and Wilke's old exploration partner) and the mythical lost city Galen was searching for. Wesley sabotages his own radio and cuts off all communication with Wilkes in retaliation -- and when Wilkes shows up to confront Wesley and Galen at the end of the book, there's no mention of Elizabeth's whereabouts or status.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
added Her Crown of Fire to trope page

Added DiffLines:

* ''Literature/HerCrownOfFire'': Yasmin, Petre's destined soul mate. It's not clear if the two of them had actually bonded before his death, but if they had, what happened to her is not explained.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* A scene near the beginning of ''Literature/SmallGame'' shows Mara at her job, checking in on people camping in the wilderness. One of them has simply disappeared. She calls her boss but he glosses over it.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Reiko from Creator/JamesAMichener's ''Hawaii'' simply disappears toward the end. She's a secondary character with an interesting plotline, but after [[spoiler:her husband dies]] she's never heard from again, leaving the reader to wonder whether she ever accomplished her thwarted dreams.

to:

* Reiko from Creator/JamesAMichener's Creator/JamesMichener's ''Hawaii'' simply disappears toward the end. She's a secondary character with an interesting plotline, but after [[spoiler:her husband dies]] she's never heard from again, leaving the reader to wonder whether she ever accomplished her thwarted dreams.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Reiko from James Michener's ''Hawaii'' simply disappears toward the end. She's a secondary character with an interesting plotline, but after [[spoiler:her husband dies]] she's never heard from again, leaving the reader to wonder whether she ever accomplished her thwarted dreams.

to:

* Reiko from James Michener's Creator/JamesAMichener's ''Hawaii'' simply disappears toward the end. She's a secondary character with an interesting plotline, but after [[spoiler:her husband dies]] she's never heard from again, leaving the reader to wonder whether she ever accomplished her thwarted dreams.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''Literature/TheMister'' has a really horrific example. We never find out what happened to the other women Alessia was trafficked with. She at one point hopes they were able to escape too, but we never know for sure, mostly because the story is more concerned with Alessia and Maxim's developing romance.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Melissa Chapman disappears from the story after the second book painstakingly shows her as a victim of Yeerk cruelty and indifference. She's last mentioned in book 51 after Marco flattens her house (without her or her pet cat in it, thankfully).


Added DiffLines:

** Elena, the blind girl who was recruited to be one of the Auxiliary Animorphs, is only mentioned as having escaped her school while morphed into Rachel and taken to the Hork-Bajir valley. It's never mentioned if she joined the team or not.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''Literature/BazilBroketail'': Nothing is revealed about General Kreegsbrok's fate and whereabouts following the events in book four, he just disappears from the story entirely.

Added: 1044

Changed: 790

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
New example


* OlderThanFeudalism: Creator/{{Homer}} did this in ''Literature/TheIliad''. He went to the trouble of describing the battle between Aeneas (mortal son of Aphrodite) and Achilles. The Gods saw that Aeneas was about to be killed, and, since he was such a good servant, decided that he didn't deserve to be killed, and took him away from the battle, declaring that he would be the future king of all Trojans yet to come. Homer never mentions him again, and even the other authors of the [[Literature/TheTrojanCycle lost epics]] only said that he either fled Troy after a bad omen or was captured and spared by the Achaeans. Later Greek authors said that he went to Italy. It took ''eight hundred years'' for [[Literature/TheAeneid Virgil]] to turn this into a BrickJoke. An [[StealthPun Epic]] BrickJoke, at that!

to:

* OlderThanFeudalism: OlderThanFeudalism:
**
Creator/{{Homer}} did this in ''Literature/TheIliad''. He went to the trouble of describing the battle between Aeneas (mortal son of Aphrodite) and Achilles. The Gods saw that Aeneas was about to be killed, and, since he was such a good servant, decided that he didn't deserve to be killed, and took him away from the battle, declaring that he would be the future king of all Trojans yet to come. Homer never mentions him again, and even the other authors of the [[Literature/TheTrojanCycle lost epics]] only said that he either fled Troy after a bad omen or was captured and spared by the Achaeans. Later Greek authors said that he went to Italy. It took ''eight hundred years'' for [[Literature/TheAeneid Virgil]] to turn this into a BrickJoke. An [[StealthPun Epic]] BrickJoke, at that!that!
** A man called On, son of Peleth, is named prominently at the start of story of Korach in ''Literature/TheBible''. You'd think he plays a critical role in the story. He's never mentioned again. (The Rabbinic explanation for it is ''absolutely wild''.)
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* In 'The Acts of the Apostles, 23:16-22', the nephew of St. Paul informs the Roman captain of a plot to murder Paul. This is the only mention of St. Paul's family anywhere in 'Acts', and the nephew is never mentioned again.

to:

* In 'The Acts of the Apostles, Literature/ActsOfTheApostles, 23:16-22', the nephew of St. Paul informs the Roman captain of a plot to murder Paul. This is the only mention of St. Paul's family anywhere in 'Acts', and the nephew is never mentioned again.

Changed: 149

Removed: 140

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
combining two entries on the same series. ^^


* In ''Literature/{{Allegiant}}'', [[spoiler:after the peace treaty is formed, Marcus leaves Chicago and no one knows what happens to him]].



** In ''Allegiant'', we never learn what becomes of [[spoiler: Marcus after Chicago is freed from the Bureau's control. Four notes that he simply disappeared, and he's fine with that.]]

to:

** In ''Allegiant'', we never learn what becomes of ''Literature/{{Allegiant}}'', [[spoiler: after the peace treaty is formed, Marcus after leaves Chicago is freed from the Bureau's control.and no one knows what happens to him]]. Four notes that he simply disappeared, and he's fine with that.]]

Added: 185

Changed: 137

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** ''Insurgent'' introduces the reader to Jack Kang, the leader of the Candor faction. However, he completely disappears from the narrative after the Dauntless trials and, rather strangely, is never seen or heard from again for the rest of the series.

to:

** ''Insurgent'' introduces the reader to Jack Kang, the leader of the Candor faction. However, he completely disappears from the narrative after the Dauntless trials and, rather strangely, is never seen or heard from again for the rest of the series. series despite the important roles played by the other faction leaders. The film series seems to rectify this a tad by giving Kang a larger role.
** In ''Allegiant'', we never learn what becomes of [[spoiler: Marcus after Chicago is freed from the Bureau's control. Four notes that he simply disappeared, and he's fine with that.]]

Top