Ending of Cujo

I heard Stephen in an interview answer "Cujo," when asked (paraphrased), "Is there any book you'd think about changing the ending of?"

I have an idea of what Stephen might change about the ending, but I'm not sure how to talk about it without a huge spoiler.

 

Here is my basic idea of how Stephen might change the ending of Cujo, if he wanted to based on my previous reading (note: I don't necessarily think he should change anything about the book, but when he was asked the question, I guess he felt some answer was warranted):

Spoiler

I think he might allow Tad to live. It seems that Stephen favors children getting out alive in other books. I actually expect that Tad would do so and his mom would end up mauled by Cujo, or rabid and shot by police.

 

Thank you!

 

He might mean that. And he would be wrong. The ending was wrenching and horrible, and absolutely likely. As a parent, I can't read that book anymore--it tears me up too much. But a writer of a story seated in the real physical world (even if it has fantastic elements) has to be true to what he's written earlier in the narrative and physical realities. I always admire the ones who don't 'truckle to fashion' (one of my favorite King phrases), even when it would be easy to do so.

 

100% in agreement.

 

It would be interesting to know what was in King's mind when he named Cujo as the ending he might redo (again, I still don't think he would!). However, it seems that the ending it currently has is the most realistic, given the situation.

Of course, Stephen would never actually say what alternate ending he might have meant, and that's as it should be.

 

Watch the movie. I think that was a Hollywood feel-good fluffy ending. I may be wrong...been years since I saw it.

 

I have a thing about watching SK movies. I have seen a few (The Shining, Delores Claiborn, Misery), but I generally don't like to. And never before I read the book.

Do you remember what the ending was?

 

...here's my take on poor ole foamy mouth....I wish he could have been saved....he was.....a good dog......

 

I think the kid

Spoiler

lived

.But again, I haven't watched it in years and I'm going on faulty memory.

 

I think that Steve meant that he would let Cujo live and go on to terrorize the countryside and create an army of rabid dogs/cats that would kill everyone in their wake. Just sayin'.....

 

Spoiler

The mom killed the dog, found the kid limp in the car, splashed a little water on his face and he miraculously revived and everyone was happy slappy. Stupid ending.

 

I'm a sucker for happy endings but the ending is probably the most interesting thing about Cujo in my opinion. Not that I dislike the book but it's also not one of my favorites. Without the ending I don't think I would like it though as the ending ties the whole thing together as a slow-motion trainwreck/tragedy. I can think of quite a few kids who died in King's novels that I don't think he has too much of a problem disposing of them. I almost always expect kids and dogs in his books to meet a terrible end. The main thing about it I'd change is the supernatural aspect. I don't remember exactly but the book does more than just imply that there's some sort of underlying evil causing this to take place doesn't it? The monster in the little boy's closet which may or may not be associated with Frank Dodd. I think a rabid Saint Bernard is a frightening enough antagonist that the boogeyman angle is unnecessary. It's a scary scenario because it's so real and doesn't need any help from the supernatural world.