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.
After finishing episode 30, I am still sitting and thinking about it extensively… I think I partially disagree with JasonR above on being left only with money, I think he’s got some hope, even if it’s not much…
Nate may have some idea of what Ish’s future might hold, but I don’t think there was enough of an idea of what that might be given to the reader… retire and sit on a planet somewhere? Go start a new venture? Buy a yacht and sail for the core worlds? With as empty as he seems at the end, having him go live in a little apartment and listen to audiobooks for the rest of his life seems like a valid possibility.
All in all, I think the ending was good, and if there are more books in the future, I would happily scoop them up hoping for a real epilogue to Ish’s adventures.
Nate, well done.
This phase of the story is closed, looking forward to Ishmael spreading his wings and discovering new adventures.
Thank you.
Thanks to everybody for the comments. The hurtful as well as the supportive. It means you care about a fictional universe that I’ve managed to invest you in. That’s high praise for a story teller.
Could I have done it better? I hope so, because otherwise there’d be no point to telling another story. The goal is to always tell it better. Based on response, this has been the best book I’ve ever done with over 1000 comments across the various threads and platforms in less than 30 days.
I’m humbled.
@greg, justin – There will be more ishmael. that was the whole point. I thought people wanted his story to continue even as I had to end the Share series when I ran out of “Shares” to tell. That’s why there’s a few doors left open for him to go thru.
@caplanjr – you might wanna give up on me. I’ll *never* give you a complete ending. It’s not how I write. There will always be unresolved threads, weapons left on the shelf, and stories implied but never told. Sorry, man. It’s one of the things from reality that carries over to my fiction. Right or wrong, it’ll always be there.
@hade et al – actually you should all know where he’s going next. he did everything but buy the ticket. I know I sent the telegram, but it maybe it hasn’t been delivered.
I expect he will begin by going to Port Newmar.
I’m with Hade in that the ending *did* fit with the rest of the story. Episode 28 came out of left field, but it was meant to, and I believe the shock was exacerbated because we could not immediately go on to episode 29. (Thanks, Nate, for giving us the last two together, by the way). It wasn’t the ending I wanted. I *wanted* the book to segue neatly into another book in which Ish raises a family in space (Father’s Share, anyone?), but then, I want all my books to end that way. That doesn’t mean that other endings aren’t right or good or in character. We all heard Episode 28 and waited for a day in shock and grief until the next episode came and we could heal, just a little, as Ish did. We can’t imagine a future right now because Ish can’t, but there *will* be one, and I for one really want to read the book about it. The sooner Ish’s healing is written, the sooner we can all move on.
I agree that that this closes the Series, and I’m fine w/ that. And I’m fine with the idea that life ebbs and flows. I also agree w/ Jason in that the end feels empty because Ish feels empty. So we have some hints about where his career will go and, yes, he now has money – but friends, family and support all seem interim and transient. An epilog or some tweaks to the ending chapters would help.
Nate, I do take a little back.. you did give implication of where his next stop might be (that I picked up), but that seems like a short-term thing…
I can see numerous possible futures after re-centering with his old master. The bump to his finances should be significant, at the very least enough to start anew more easily than at the beginning of OS. It is a pretty big galaxy within that small universe. What you have him doing will be entertaining I am sure and I will do my best not to dwell on it. Distraction is in order until next we meet.
Nate, you inspire me (and doubtless others) to per-sue my own writing again. At first I wasn’t to sure about the podcast format as I really like to hold the book, but in the end it seems a wonderful way to get your work out there and into eager hands. I would love to talk to you about that part sometime.
Thank you for the wonderful story and please don’t keep us waiting too long!
Adam Bays
Poulsbo, WA
Hm.
I can see where the problem is … I’m not sure where to fix it.
“Ish feels empty”… um. no. actually he doesn’t but that’s obviously not something that’s getting across.
Thanks, Crew. You’ve given me some valuable insight here.
Thank you Nate, I really enjoyed the stories and felt that the ending was great. I have not been this invested in a character in decades. In my life all endings are not certain and always leave me looking to see what is next, the ending of OS is very realistic and well done.
I cried… In the bed, next to my GF, I hoped she did not wake to see me, 37 year old man, cry for an audiobook serie ending…
Thank you Mr Lowell, it’s been a great ride… There WILL be withdrawal symptoms now…
I can only stand and applaud, with tears running down my face.
Bravo!
I put my vote emphatically with the “bravo, well done” crowd. It’s a perfect ending to a story about a period in a person’s “real” life, not an ending to a perfect life.
As I read/hear it, the path that his new “Article37” has followed is his next step…I almost get the sense that he’s booked his ticket already. I see reflection and rebirth as his next steps. With life expectancy as it is, Ish can pursue 2 or 3 more careers.
Again, Bravo, well done – I’m going back to read QS yet again
I found Tales from the Solar Clipper in November and have since listened to everyone of them with rapt attention. I have since tried to find everything you have written and have eagerly awaited every new episode of Owners Share. You have quickly became my favorite author and look forward to anything new you write and record in Audio format. Thank you for all your amazing work, you have created another in a long line of devoted fans.
@Hade… thank you…thoughtful and well said.
@Nate: I know where he’s going. But that’s just an ‘in-between’ sort of thing, right? Figure things out, then move on. The real question is: move on to where?
@Nate
Like I said, I don’t think the ending needs to be changed as far as outcome. It’s just that even when you end a series people want to be able to imagine them going on. Whether in this life, or the next… Or even they just died, or failed.
I appreciate the characters, and the story, and I really appreciate the fact that not only are you done witht he tale but you told it your way with your plot devices and your words. I don’t think I’d ever expect a full wrap-up of loose ends, but if someone important to me [Article 37] you can believe that one of the first things I’d do is find someone close to talk to about it. Instead it’s a lot of you OK? Yeah. You OK? I will be… But there’s a theme here of [Article 37] leaving him whether by choice or by not, and the entire story is filled with a lack of truly long-term friendships. Even if they’re just ones kept up while in port.
In the end you’ve written about a man who suffers, because life has suffering, yet he internalizes that pain repeatedly. You cannot go through that kind of grief and loss repeatedly internalize that without ending up insane. He’s too level headed, he doesn’t lose his temper, he doesn’t freak the hell out, and he doesn’t ask for help.
So, either we have to assume that he did this and he felt too ashamed to cover it as part of his internal narrative… Or Ish is insane. Yes, he seeks balance, and he’s given an indication of where he might go to center himself as it were, but where is the anguish? Where is the self-questioning about worth and sacrifice?
Introspection is great, but it has to have an external anchor. So far Ish seemed more upset about his divorce than the most recent tragedy. He’s lost [Article 37] and [Article 37] was hurt, and he was hurt, and…
Whether you choose to fix it or not, or even if you feel it does not need to be fixed, thank you for sharing a great story. I never expected Ish to go out with a bang, and I was glad to see that you kept him and his tale true to that far more than I’ve really expressed here. It’s just that the sense of hope you tried to convey didn’t really come through, because Ish hasn’t been big on personal faith in oneself lately.
I also find it interesting that he was so keen on helping people move up on ratings, but not once did he himself suggest or send someone to the academy. Then again, maybe he’ll convince Ms Arione to go to the academy, and that will be her tale to tell through your vision later. A tale of, “This is what happens when someone shows they have faith in you to do right, and you try to live up to it.” Or something.
I can’t imagine what you personally have to be feeling. Probably some sense of relief that you can move on for a while and circle back if you need/want to. It’s just that if Ish’s tale is done, truly done as in he is no longer a first person narrative in your heart, you left him in a state where most mere mortals would be very broken but not expressing any of that.
I don’t know. I guess if I had no real attachments to anyone, and I had just experienced a huge tragedy in my life, I’d still try to talk to my father about it. Even if we were semi-estranged. Blood is blood, and maybe that’s the event they needed to re-bond as father and son. When you’re surrounded by pain, it’s understandable to want to run. When you’re feeling pain, but you’ve been truly emotionally alone for as long as Ish has… You’re going to seek comfort from those around you.
I realize that I’m projecting and imparting some of my feelings into Ish as a character when he’s your outlet and creation. It’s just that I’ve just spent a lot of time at the funerals of friends, relatives, and loved ones…and as someone with a father born 15 years after his next youngest siblings, I’ve had a lot of people I know die in a pretty short span of time when I was younger. Over time you get a bit numbed to how you express that, but you still feel it, and eventually you will either hole up to escape everyone. Which, that’s not many people in Ish’s world… Or you seek comfort, which seems like it would be a better fit.
In this case there was no memorial service, no letter to [Article 37]’s family (As a captain how could you not express your sense of loss over a member of the crew to their family?) etc.
And, as a curious thing. Why is it always women imparting wisdom, knowledge, and comfort to him? He’s lacked any sort of strong male role model in his life since the story began…
Excellent series and a good but I think rough end to the series. I’m glad to hear that there will be more stories about Ish because he needs it after the series.
Nate, I think the problem is that people are missing the clues you give them with the welkies at the end showing him opening up and moving on from where he was. I think maybe some people are missing the whole of what is happening in that scene.
As I see it he has something over 60+ million at the end of the series. He clearly will go back to his old Tai Chi Master at Port Newmar. That is very well indicated. I suspect that he will come back to resolve unfinished business in Diurnia but I am not certain because life does move on. He has possibilities there that he can pursue and I think would be rewarding to him.
I am not certain where people are getting that he will give up space or any of that, he needs to move on from the Iris because of its associations with but this certainly doesn’t mean that he won’t be back at the helm of a ship in the future. I expect he isn’t done with the deep dark.
@hade – duh. where do you think??! Give this a few days for the dust to settle — and for me to stop vibrating — and we’ll have a post mortem on the forums.
Thanks for a great series, Nathan. I understand why you did what you did in Article 37. Although, I would have preferred to see a happier outcome and the story ending rather leaving it open. It would be a while before I can listen to the last few chapters again. I didn’t realize how much the characters grew on me. Sigh*….perhaps sometimes you need to make the difficult decisions for the sake of character development and story telling. Cheers.
Or maybe I’m expecting more detail inclusion that was possible to cram into an already long book. Some places felt rushed when they were important to the story.
Anyway, I apologize for being overly critical. And, I know that apologizing doesn’t really necessarily take the sting out of criticism. Sorry for that too. :)
Subtle endings are nice for subtle stories, but maybe I just expected more of a blunt object knocking us towards Ish’s next path in life than a very subtle trail of bread crumbs from yet another woman who walks into, or back into Ish’s life at just the right moment when he lacked a truly personal connection with her to begin with.
Even if I wasn’t pleased with the ending (Who ever really is…including the author?) the story was amazing, and I devoured hour after hour of reading and audio-book time. It addressed a long-standing issue I’ve had about Science Fiction (and Fantasy for that matter) where the protagonist either can’t fail, or they’re joe-everyman thrust into extraordinary situations with the expectation that they sink or swim and you know that they always swim…
Anyway, thank you again so much for sharing your story with all of us. I’ve enjoyed it tremendously. Even when I’m grouchy about the ending. :)
Personally, I thought the ending was personal, emotional, sad, and happy, all mixed in together. A bit like Ish himself, actually. I feel like Ish once again finds himself alone but at the same time I sense a bit of hope that maybe, now that he’s off the ship, he can find himself and begin to put things right. There was a line towards the end about Ish wanting to take charge of his life and not doing things at other people’s bidding. I think that’s the emotional place he wants to be and getting off the ship lets him do that.
Thank you, Nate, for an awesome series.
Is there any trick to getting a new account approved on the forums? The procedure listed on that homepage doesn’t seem to be relevant to what’s over here at this point.
“Personally, I thought the ending was personal, emotional, sad, and happy, all mixed in together” –
This! The ending seemed perfect to me. I recognize its not the type of ending that can appeal to all, though.. everyone’s got different desires when it comes to story resolution. Still, it was imminently satisfying for me. Absolutely NOT “empty” imho – I felt a real sense of peace of mind, or the start of it, click in at the end there. I daresay I teared up a bit. If you do alter the end at all, don’t change it much. I think its swell as is.
@Nate. I echo others’ thoughts in that I really wasn’t trying to criticize and am trying to give constructive feedback. And you’re right in that the number of responses and level of emotional response is an indication of how successful the writing has been.
I think one of the reasons Ish felt alone to me is because the references to people in his past usually seem to be in the tone of “someone I once knew.†One small idea I had was that rather than changing major plot lines or adding tons of verbiage, consider looking at some of those references.
In OS, the news coverage should have resulted in personal congrats and condolences, so maybe once or twice Ish should work on personal correspondence rather than log updates or paperwork. Maybe he even got a “mi casa es su casa†offer that helps makes the transition easier.
In the post-Academy trilogy, it might also be useful to look at some of Ish’s habits so that we know he’s also building connections with people – things like restaurateurs appreciate his personal referrals or a past party w/ old friends they’ve helped him give, he makes notes to himself to write to people who’ve influenced him, he has asked questions of friends and colleagues (even if he’s told to figure out the beefalo spices for himself), etc.
Just some thoughts … use them or not as you see fit.
Having said all of that, thanks for the stories. I’ve enjoyed them all and listened so repeatedly that I can’t even tell you how many times.
thanks nate. loved the book, the ending was kind of unexpected but does leave it open for the next one.
maybe ish is off to port newmar for some R&R then off on his next adventure, maybe he bumps into bev and they start up their own indy company and have loads of tatoo’d little ish’s and bev’s to badger thro the shares then newmar, pip could be the godfather ……………..
please keep the books coming, i’ve loved sci-fi since i was a kid and my favorite era is of course the golden age. asimov. poul anderson,clifford simak, theodore sturgeon… the list goes on and i’d put ur stories up against them (maybe not quite the heights of the foundation series but very close) :)
so thankyou for a very enjoyable collection of books and many more to come.
I can’t remember ever feeling this invested in a character. Tht alone indicates that this series was something special. I’ll have to listen to the last two chapters again, but overall I’m satisfied with the ending – as long as it isn’t the last we hear of Ishmael Wang and Nate has said that it won’t be.
One thing I disagree with is that all Ish was left with was money. He’s touched a lot of lives through his journey and has a lot of people who care deeply for him…Pip, Brill, Bev, Diane, Cookie, Arletta, Fredi, his harem, Avery, Gwen, Buccaneer Billy, Stacy, and Catherine to name a few. I think if we get to hear more of Ish’s story, we’ll see that they all didn’t just forget about him.
***SPOILERISH, maybe***
It’s strange reading some of these comments—after listening to the last two parts this morning, I came away feeling that Nate gave us a happy ending, of sorts. It seemed to me at the end of the book that Wang was able to finally get some focus on where his life was going. Throughout the Share series, I had a vision of Wang as a vaguely Prufrockian character, drifting through a life whose course was defined by luck, random talent, and mostly by other people’s expectations and desires. Going into space wasn’t a vocation for Wang as much as it was a desperation ploy after the death of his mother. Wang never had a burning desire to do anything when he was a rating; instead, he was just trying to cover the spread by amassing as many qualifications as possible. He became an officer because the chance was thrust upon him, he was manipulated into being Malone’s fixer on the Tinker, and later on the Agamemnon, and even his purchase of the Iris was part of someone else’s ploy for control of DST. While Wang had talent, he never really had his own direction. Even his relationship with Gearhart was, to an extent, controlled and motivated by Gearhart. Wang, as personable a character as he is, has been basically a passive character all through the Share series.
After the crucible of ep 28 and the last two episodes, this has changed. Wang has gotten rid of the shards of his old life, exemplified by giving his old whelkie to Malone. He’s obviously ready to move on, first to Port Newell, and then… I came away from the book not feeling that Wang was empty, but instead feeling that he was empowered, maybe for the first time in his life. The book may be in need of some tightening up, but I’d not like to see Nate change the ending at all—I like that Wang has an horizon filled with possibilities, and that he is able for the first time to meet them on his own terms. “Call me Ishmael”: it’s as if Wang has met himself for the first time.
@Jon Tollerton – yes. there IS a trick. once you sign up, you have to use the contact form here to email me and tell me what username so I can approve it. With 400 spam accounts a day there, I just lack the energy to go thru and try to figure out who’s who.
Ok so it wasnt exactly the ending i was hoping for but it wasnt a bad ending.Sure it could have a few extra chapters to tie up some ends but ohh well…i forgive you THIS time :P
After reading some of the comments above i have to agree with TomT over there.It somehow make sense for me (but what makes sense for me might make nonsens for you ).I do however EXPECT another serie captain :P (just kidding but i would love to read more)because it is so many stories to pick from here you know.Besides i need some good stories to read when i am sitting inside while its snowing outside (norway ya know :P ).Well i am just glad the ending wasnt something like this
I am sorry malone but it would not possible for me and ms Gerhart to be together at all.*Why sar?* Arione exclaimed.*Well the thing is Arione…i am gay and the world out here dont tolerate gay people so i have to dissapair for a while until it all settles down.YOU are gay sar?damn you* Arione cried out grabbing her knive and stabbed over and over again.After the deed was done she spit on the body that had been her friend for a long time and turned around walking straight into the arms of Malone.They kissed….the end
alternate ending?
ohh and i loved the serie from start to finish
@Wes: very well put. That’s exactly how I see it as well.
Sorry, I guess I am that thick. Never realized that ‘contact’ was actually a link as well as “Out and About” and “Email Notices” Perfectly obvious in hindsight…
Nate, all told – and after consideration – one thing I can state with certainty is that you have told a wonderful tale, created a universe that feel reals and within the bounds of the possible, populated it with (fictional though they don’t feel like it!) characters that have people increadibly invested, and achieved what artists aspire to – creating emotional responses.
I don’t say the series is perfect. If anything, the odd duck (to me) is actually Half Share. But I plan on going back through the entire series again in a common format (I have yet to listen to QS or HS – I read them, instead). I suspect that doing so will bring fresh depths to my appreciation.
As is, I’m in awe of what you’ve accomplished and suspect that it was emotionally draining for you to achieve.
Thank you. I will definitely be checking this site periodically, in the hopes that as the hard cover versions are released and that I can snag each as it comes out. The series has a place of honor on my shelves (though I won’t say what company it’s keeping…), as do the podcasts on my iPad.
And I’m absolutely eager to read/hear the next adventures in this universe. As you say, there’s more Ish to come. And I can’t wait to take the ride.
(Oh, and as a ‘PS’: As a former CG officer, I must say that he grew into the kind of Captain I always aspired to be. Wish there were more real folks like him!)
Nate,
I don’t think that I can add more than what has been said already, but I have to add my thanks. I stumbled on this series with the Kindle version of Quarter Share and when I finished that, I was starving for more and found podiobooks. I eagerly listened to all of remaining “Share†books.
Unlike most other Sci-Fi universes, this one seems real and believable. This story makes me long to sign “The Articles†and leave my earthly anchor and sail into the deep dark.
I will be impatiently waiting for other books from you, so keep up the great work!
Okay, I just have to say, Nate: Thank you very much! Please don’t let the negative comments get to you. Yes, the bit about Article 37 might have been a bit harsh. I also made the story more real. I think you made an artistic decision. Some people might not have liked it, but you are the artist, not us. This series has given me countless hours of enjoyment, so thanks for that.
In addition to all of that, you have been an inspiration to me personally. You have shown what a dedicated amateur can accomplish. I just wish I could pump out as many words as you do, or write as well as you do.
Good luck with your future projects cap’n
Have a VERY important question sar….i was looking for half share but found it only as paperback.Is it not out in hardcover yet or am i missing something?just ordered quarter share (signed and dedicated of course).I dont like paperback much so if its *just around the corner* i will wait if not….*shrug*
Just wanted to say thanks for a wonderful series. Yours is the first and only audiobooks (or podiobooks) that I have ever experienced and I enjoyed them immensely. I got hooked by reading Quarter Share and was *forced* to listen to the other books if I wanted to know how they ended as well!
@Wes: well put!
While I wouldn’t personally qualify the ending of this book as a true happy ending, I do feel that the events described in it were necessary for Ish to start growing into his true self. As I wrote elsewhere, it’s a reboot of sorts. He now gets to build a new life for himself once again, but this time, he will have the experience, the financial resources, and maybe even the contacts to embark upon whatever path he most wants to explore, instead of having one forced upon him.
Episode 28 destroyed a little piece of me, and I think that’s an experience I share with a sizable number of the commenters here. It would certainly explain the outpouring of less-than-raving feedback. But the fact that the story of a fictional character had the power to affect me the way it did is nothing but a testament to the quality of the characterization and the writing in that story.
So thank you, Nate. Thank you for sharing. I don’t think you will ever know exactly how much your stories have meant to me, but I don’t think that’s really necessary. Suffice to say that for the rest of my life, I will benefit from things that you taught me, through Ishmael Wang.
Well, I certainly wasn’t intending to kick Nate, or a hornet’s nest for that matter.
I expect that had I slept on it my initial response would have been a little more muted.
Well, I for one am completely satisfied with the ending (not that I didn’t *hope* for more :). Thank you, Nate. I laughed. I cried. I checked for updates obsessively. In a few years, when you put out that deluxe boxed set – I’ll be there. And in the meantime, I’ll wait impatiently for more about St Cloud, Tanyth Fairport or whatever and whomever you choose to write about.
Sorry Dr. Lowell but I must ask, What is the next project? Have you thought out that far yet? I realize that finishing off OS must have been a very daunting task and right now thoughts of someplace with beaches and drinks with little parasols are flooding your mind. But, for us addicts who just can’t get enough of your story telling, whats coming down the pipe next?
I still have two “promised” books — Cape Grace, the book that falls between South Coast and Half Share — and the Ravenwood sequel. I don’t know which one I’ll tackle first. There’s also a lot of audio production work on my plate. Some of which will go onto podiobooks, some for private contracts.
Full Share will be coming out in text in April.
Ah, doctor. I have too much invested to give up on you. If I hadn’t enjoyed the books so much, I wouldn’t have complained about the ending. Keep at it.
JRC
I’d like to see him make a pilgrimage to St. Cloud.
@Jason: as a fan of “South Coast,” I would too.
Well the ending was the best it could have been Sar. With what happoned in epi. 28 and all but I do not think I will be re-listening to the Share books agen for a bit. Maby not till i know there is a new book with ish. in it.
P.S. love the work I went threw it faster than all of Metamor City. pleas dont keep us whating long Sar
Personally I would like to see something along the lines of “Academy Tales” for want of a better name. Where 50 years from now we see Ish sending his kids to Port Newmar to the Academy. We have a chapter of flashback over what happened from the end of OS to the current time, say half an episode. Ish has his own ship again but instead of following Ish, we follow one of the kids.
PLEASE HELP — Audio withdrawl allert!
Now that I have listened to all of Nate’s stuff (multiple times) and am spoiled by his narration and story telling abilities — any suggestions on what to listen to until the next Lowell production gets downloaded (and crashes podiobooks server)? I have listened to the Crown Conspiracy already.
.
Please help, the need is dire. I’m sure I am not the only addict out there looking for a comperable “fix.”
Hi Nate,
Of course we want Ishs story to continue…. like you said, but i think people feel that the loose ends are just too much atm…. those last few chapters were very intense and emotional…. then it stopped…. I understand why you stopped it where you did….. but we were waiting on bated breath for the outcome of the Churnyakova sale too…. It has been a fantastic ride Sar!!!!!!! But, we are going around now going, so what does Ish do next?????