Was anybody else a bit disappointed in the ending?

I felt a little cheated not finding out more about Margarete— who she was. How she got her training. Lucius wouldn't have been that hard to trace, and she could have found him if she had tried harder. He was from a well-known family; he was working again in Vienna. I also thought it was too convenient that she hooked up with Horvath again, entwining the three of their lives again. Then, instead of thinking how if he hadn't messed up Horvath's life, maybe he could have married Margarete when he found her, he somehow thinks Margarete's marriage is an atonement for his mistake; Horvath is happy, Margarete has a daughter, and Lucius is ready to live in the world again.

Only with her new situation. But, without the stress of weather and war I don't know if L and M would have made it.

Perhaps a follow-on book from Margarete's perspective?
I was nearing the end of the book and thinking it would have a fairly abrupt end once Lucius found Margarete. In that sense, I expected it to end. However, I would have enjoyed finding out more information about Margarete's back story and history.
On the other hand, I also loved the ending too! It seemed more realistic, given the time that had passed and the war.

I was not disappointed. A predictable ending wouldn’t fit the themes d would have lessened the impact often story. The ending, for me, gave Lucius what he needed to move on with his life. While one could argue that Margarete stumbling upon Horvath again was too convenient, I did not find it a plot device. There is a lot of serendipity in the real world.

I thought the ending was appropriate. It seemed that Margarete was happy with her life and now Lucius could move on. Maybe he was not exactly happy but he could look to the future.

I wanted lucuis to find her and then would go back to Vienna to get married. I wanted the baby to be lucuis. I felt like he was searching so long and just for nothing.

I wanted them to get together again but that would have been a fairy tale ending which might have not been realistic in this time and place. She seemed happy enough in her new life and it seemed like Lucius would be able to move forward.

I was not disappointed. They were apart for several years and Margarete moved on and she married someone else. She realized when seeing Lucuis it was a loved lost. She seemed happy.

Reading the last 5 pgs of the book felt as if someone snuck up on me, punched me in my gut, & then ran away. It was an unexpected & heartbreaking ending.

Disappointed is not quite the right word. While part of me was wishing for Lucius and Margarete to resume their relationship, I also knew that would be too Hollywoodish and unworthy of this book.So I thought it was a realistic, good, ending, although I was surprised that it was Horvath. But it also makes sense that Margarete would end up with someone she had to take care of.

I thought the ending was very appropriate for the story. It is a redemptive ending for Lucius. His arrogance made him think he could change the fate of Horvath, the patient. Because he kept him at the hospital, Horvath's fate was changed in a way which was extremely detrimental to him. Lucius had nightmares about what had happened. I also think that Lucius accepted what happened because it fully relieved him of guilt about how he contributed to Horvath's ultimate fate. The trade of Margarete for Lucius's sanity was extremely redemptive.

Yes. I read the last few pages twice. The first time I thought it was very trite and contrived. Especially given who Margarete ended up with. I wasn't as bothered the second time I read the ending. Seeing Margarete, knowing she survived and was relatively happy, knowing that she had tried to find him and knowing that Horvath had survived and had some kind of life tied up loose ends that were a major part of the story.

I thought the ending of Mason’s story was absolutely
the best possible ending for all. Horvath got his nurse who also loved him;
Margarete got a target for her medical devotion and a child plus a built-in babysitter
who loved the job and Lucius averted a disastrous marriage arranged by his mother.
He could, with a clear conscience, although sad that he and Margarete
would never be together, return to the woman who saved his life on the train.

I agree with the readers who felt the ending was true to the rest of the novel, this was not a feel good book, but a deeper book about the human experience during war. The author freed Lucius from his guilt by showing him the happy ending for the soldier who haunted his nightmares. That was more important than reuniting with Margarete.

I also wasn't disappointed in the ending because Lucius did find Margarete. I wasn't surprised that she had married and had a child. Though I was surprised she had married Horvath. She had a better perspective on life and war than Lucius. Now Lucius can truly live his life. Knowing what happened to Margarete and Horvath was a satisfying ending for me.

No, not really disappointed. I knew that the end would somehow not be a fairy tale Hollywood ending but that was a good thing. Horvath is well, Margarete is well, and Lucius is well and free to pursue his medical career. This book truly gave the reader the deep feelings that occurred in the first world war. It was horrible. These people each found a way to deal with it. If the war had not happened Margarete and Lucius would never have met - due to stations in life - and so it ends best for both of them, in a realistic way. Feurmann died in the war, too and that was terribly sad. I haven't seen anyone mention that yet. Again, a typical WWI happening.

I was surprised by the ending, but I thought it was a satisfying one. If Margarete had died, it would have left Lucius still searching and unfulfilled. This way he was able to move on with his life knowing that he did not have to live with the guilt of killing Horvath, and knowing that Margarete had found happiness. This ending was a way to tie up loose ends but not have it be a fairy tale ending.

Yes - disappointed but only by the abrupt ending. After all the trials tribulations heartache dreams blah blah to turn a page & find everything so tidied up was an injustice- I knew they would not live happily ever after but there must be more to the story — to think Lucius’ obsession/love/guilt would be satisfied after all he went through & what of Margarete’s back story.
I’d read another book by Daniel Mason simply for his beautiful writing & maybe someday more about the main characters.