Can this really be the end?

Yes.

Now that we got that over with, yes, it’s the end of the Shares. It’s probably not the end of Ishmael Wang. I’ve had a couple of emails about not ending the series and I want to assure you that this series *must* end. It’s the last of the share levels. I can’t write another Share book.

What I can do is start another series. I can fill in the places where there are gaps. I have a whole universe of other stories to tell, some of which will have Ishmael Wang in them, I’m pretty sure.

I’d like to ask you to wait until you see what the ending of this series actually is before getting too upset.

After it’s over, you’ll have plenty of time to be peeved with me. :)

Now, fresh comment thread available. 26 should be up in the morning. Some of you will be cheering when it’s over.

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490 Responses to Can this really be the end?

  1. Patrick says:

    my mob is after the SOB

  2. Patrick says:

    my mob is after the SOB that got off the station
    Nate is just the conductor of the opera

  3. kennmack says:

    I want to scream about (Article 37!) I held off all evening to wait to listen as I laid down to go to bed…. just what I did NOT need!! Just like in my old days as a Homicide Detective… it will be several hours before I can get to sleep. Nate, just send us justice before the last ink drys on 30!
    Thanks for such a great story.
    Kenn

  4. Mike says:

    Nate.. Oh yea, Article 37 indeed. You have woven together characters that I care about, for that and even for the tears I shed tonight I thank you. But, I may have to always consider the end of Owner’s share episode 27 just because of [further thoughts redacted by Article 37]. Teary sigh.

  5. G says:

    AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
    29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29

  6. Michael S. says:

    Nate,
    My tears and hurt speak, but I don’t comprehend the words. The Article 37s of Harry Potter, Tale of Two Cities, and Of Mice and Men have affected me less than this- a true testament to your abilities.

    Play on Shakespeare. Let’s finish this, safe voyage or not.

  7. Sleepless in Seattle says:

    Article 37! Hubby and I plugged in for another fun, easygoing chapter… and now I’m wide awake and can’t sleep. Hubby is restless too! You shouldn’t leave us on that note! I suppose it’s a testament of how much we care about Ish, but Article 37? Really? *Sniffle*

  8. Joccoaa says:

    Article 37. No! no no no no no.

  9. G says:

    did ve crash the server?

  10. Mark Ellwood says:

    Over here in the UK I can’t get realistically get the episodes until the morning so imagine my surprise when I started listening at 7.00am; I was so stunned by 7.30am that I forgot to get the kids out of bed, and now I have to get through a days work and another nights sleep before getting another fix.
    OMG!!! Article 37 indeed

  11. Ignatz says:

    UN [ article 37 ] EXPECTED…
    wow…

  12. Mycroft says:

    After that, I think I need a Whelkie….

  13. norman728 says:

    All I can say about ARTICLE 37 is that Article 37 was somewhat expected. Now that ARTICLE 37 37 turned out to be ARTICLE 37. and ARTICLE 37 Is Article 37 I will enjoy the resolution of OS.

  14. Sean says:

    Twenty-NINE! Twenty-NINE! Twenty-NINE!

    After a nights sleep, I can safely say that with [Article 37] in mind… spacing is too good for him, pitchforks are too 18th century, boiling oil is too expensive… let’s chain him to his computer and sentance him to a lifetime of servitude writing stories!

  15. caplanjr says:

    Who’s the mastermind behind {article 37} and why?

  16. Nate says:

    @caplanjr – yes. that’s *really* the question, isn’t it?

  17. Chantillary says:

    I think that the true target for [Article 37] was [Article 37]. Mainly because without [Article 37], [Article 37] couldn’t [Article 37].

  18. Travis says:

    I though I learned to stop trying to predict you but there I was already picturing the end of episode 30 I tied up all the loose ends accounted for every character even considered some plot twist that I thought had potential and after all that I felt absolutely sure that the ending I had imagined would be correct. The destination now in sight I settled into my chair to enjoy the ride then POW Article 37 jumps out of nowhere and roundhouse kicks my reality in the face. Now up is down, black is white and the cake is a lie. Thank god I have the day off tomorrow because I sincerely doubt my ability to function as humane being before the next episode.

  19. Nabil says:

    Oh my… I knew you were a good author, Nathan, but I’ve never seen, or rather heard, you write like this. Part of me is happy to know you are so well rounded, and the rest is devastated by (Article 37).
    I have to admit, I am torn on the story, but I can close with this: you are, without a doubt, the best voice in podcast production. The Share series may be concluding, but please continue reading and recording.

  20. Patrick Beckett says:

    @Duncan Hilchie. I often listen to Nathan whilst going to sleep and generally am out like a light by 15minutes. Imagine how I would have felt when I found out I slept through Article 37!
    Unluckily, I have been downloading in the morning and listening whilst driving to work. Luckily for everybody else on the road I waited until I got to work to listen and didn’t have a massive crash when I heard [Article 37].

    Perhaps Nathan should put a ‘Do not operate machinery whilst listen’ warning before anymore Article 37s. This could drastically reduce the rates of industrial accidents and fender benders.

  21. Nelson says:

    Sleep? Sure from 2430 to 0415!!! Not bad but have the watch. Or maybe I do, I have not sat shivah in four months and then it was for my father. Captain Rex L. Stone, US Merchant Marine one of the 39 of Maine Maritime Academy. 29 Please!

  22. Chess Griffin says:

    Article 37 … article 37 … article 37 … wow. Did. Not. See. That. Coming.

  23. Josh L says:

    Holy crap. I could almost have seen Article 37 coming. But still very unexpected, especially with Article 37 happening.

  24. Dave says:

    Nate – you weren’t kidding about the need for Article 37. Thanks for making characters that we care so much about, and feel the emotions along with them. I did NOT see Article 37 coming along… well played, sar.

  25. Franklyn says:

    Authors are evil. That is all.

  26. Kelly Christensen says:

    I’ve been a silent fan too long!!!! 29! 29! 29!!! And article 37…..I loved seeing so much emotion from your fans. You sure can pull us in Sar! I’ve listen to your books so many times I’ve lost count. My family all love you and we have your books on our shelves…please continue in whatever writing. We’ll LOVE it!

  27. Linsul says:

    Article 37. No, no, no, no, no!!!!!!! How could you?

  28. Azimuth says:

    This morning, my wife burned the bacon and scaled the eggs. I blame Nathan.

  29. Greg says:

    Next book title ” Article 37 ” the article 37 of article 37!

  30. dick says:

    On a different note…the NYT has an article this morning about taking tests being more effective than studying for learning material… at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/science/21memory.html … a point well-made by Nate throughout the Shares series…
    well done again!

  31. caplanjr says:

    You know, there could always be a “Fleet Share,” heheheh.

  32. Griffyn says:

    Somehow, I’m not so sure it’s Jarvis who is ultimately behind Article 37. Probably because all signs indicate that and I’ve read enough of Dr. Lowell’s body of work to know that when I think I have a handle on the situation, it’s all about to get away from me.

    Kirsten Kingsley springs to mind only because we havn’t seen her dark side yet. I’d say that she and Jarvis were pawns of a deeper plot within the CPJCT, but with 2 episodes left in the series that’s a terribly large cliff to hang us on.

  33. be''etlh says:

    I got less than five hours of sleep last night (Thank you, sar) and my class got canceled after I’d already taken the train to school and I had to wait an hour for the train home and I’m waiting for a package from UPS and I’m waiting for 29 and that is TOO MUCH WAITING so I’m really hoping you’ll put me out of my misery earlier in the day today, or at least tell me *when* I should be obsessively checking for the update.

    I begin the chant: 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29!!!!!!!!

    (PS. I still love you Sar, even though you ARTICLE 37, but now you owe us a sequel to soothe our battered nerves)

  34. Michael Kohne says:

    OK, Nathan, after what you did in 28, you better be QUICK with 29! You can’t keep us waiting after THAT!

  35. Dan says:

    Despite being up to date, I’m figuratively blindfolding myself when it comes to article 37… well, I sort of had article 37 figured out but if I’m right you have to pay attention to the beginning to understand it properly but what do I know.

  36. Terry Mixon says:

    Well, I certainly didn’t see Article 37 coming. I’m horribly disappointed. I’ll listen to the remaining two episodes, but I don’t see how they can change how I feel. Nathan, this was a great series all the way to the end. Then it crashed for me. Frankly, it seems irretrievably ruined. If this is how it’s going to end, I wish I’d never invested the time listening to it.

  37. router explorer says:

    Been a while since I left a comment, Nate, but I have remained a loyal listener and supporter. Thank you again for your work and ideas – our universe is larger and better for them.

    Unsurprisingly I am anxious for the resolution [Article 37] and my F5 key was obliterated back in the QS days so I will be patient. Cheers!

  38. Steve Hoffman says:

    ARTICLE 37 Threw down the gauntlet, ITS ON NOW!

    Great to see the plot really come to a head… This story is going to episode 50 right? because to do the story that’s coming up justice you’re going to need the page count…

  39. Jake says:

    MAN, after hearing 29 again and after being shocked by *Article 37* I listened to the Nonpoint version of “In the Air Tonight” and wondered how the Police its gonna get all those criminals around the Western Anex. First was poor Mr. Pall, now *Article 37*. PIRATES!

  40. Freonwheels (Joe B.) says:

    Well, if Nathan was David Weber, I could write the ending for Article 37. As it stands, I can’t wait, I have to get the taste of Article 37 out of my mouth….

  41. Rocket Scientist says:

    So, my reaction to [Article 37] is that it took me right out of “believing” in the characters, and into thinking about how it’s all just a bunch of words, and the techniques by which the storyteller manipulates the audience. So instead of wondering what will happen next, I’m wondering what is the next trick up Dr. Lowell’s sleeve?

  42. odeeceous says:

    Ok Nate.now my shrink is pissed at me.. when he asked me why I din’t sleep well last night .I explained article 37 .article 37 ,article 37 and article 37 ….he expressd his sincere condolences,and understanding … I then told him about owners share, and the evil Dr. Nathan Lowell…I am now looking for new shrink…did someone say something about pitchforks and torches???? Humm…

  43. Sean says:

    Actually, if you think about it, we were all pretty much assuming Ish’s future. The evil Dr. Lowell has now thown a huge spanner into the sail generator. i’m looking forward to seeing how (or IF) he brings things to a close.

    But I certainly agree that the next installment best be soon. I’m smelling burning pitch and hear the villagers climbing the hill…

  44. Lars E says:

    just another writer i know who did pull this one off….alexander dumas with his *the black rose* book beside *article 37* its a awsome *article 37* book.Well i am gona article 37 my butt into the episode once again…article 37 out

  45. Lars E says:

    err my bad…getting old *the black tulip* was the name :P

  46. James says:

    All that I will say about article 37 is this: Snape kills Dumbledore.
    Nuf said about that.

  47. Freonwheels (Joe B.) says:

    Did anyone establish which, if any, Episode it was that Ames Jarvis met Ishmael Wong?

  48. Chris says:

    Things like this aren’t always a “trick” by the author to surprise the audience. Often they are merely the logical extension of the things that the author knows about all the characters that we don’t. While {article 37} appears out of left field to us, that is because it is out of left field for Ish. However, for those responsible, it would have been the obvious next step. And the collateral damage is also logical to have occurred. Nate (the bastard) probably had to make some hard artistic decisions, but something similar was going to happen no matter what. I saw something like this coming and I was still devastated.

    @Nate: My wife thinks the twittering Greta and Christine were doing prior to {article 37} was due to Greta being pregnant. Not sure if we’ll find out before the end of the book or not.

  49. Nate says:

    it was off stage @Freon.

    sorry @rocket and @terry – there is a reason. I struggled for three months to get away from it and ultimately had to tell the truth.

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