Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Go Ask Alice. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: The diary ends with the teenage narrator feeling hopeful and deciding she no longer needs a diary. An epilogue then reveals that she died three weeks later of a drug overdose, and that no one knows if it was accidental or deliberate.
Quick facts
– Book: Go Ask Alice by Anonymous (Beatrice Sparks)
– First published: 1971
– Type: A young adult novel written as a diary
– Tone of the ending: Tragic
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
The unnamed fifteen-year-old narrator writes about her struggles with self-esteem, friends and boys. At a party, she is unknowingly given LSD, and she begins using drugs regularly. She runs away, lives on the streets and tries to quit several times.
What Happens at the End of Go Ask Alice
After a series of breakdowns and a stay in a psychiatric hospital, the narrator returns home and seems ready to start over. She feels happy and decides to stop writing in her diary. The epilogue explains that she died of an overdose soon after.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The narrator seems to recover.
- She stops writing.
- The epilogue reveals her death.
- The cause of her death is unclear.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| The narrator | Dies of an overdose |
| Her parents | Left grieving |
What the Ending Means
The ending was designed as a warning about drugs.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
The book was marketed as a real diary, but it was largely written by Beatrice Sparks. Many readers now see it as anti-drug fiction.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Addiction. Drugs take control.
Isolation. The narrator feels alone.
Hope. Her hope makes her death more painful.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Go Ask Alice as tragic. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Anonymous (Beatrice Sparks) to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are tragic will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Anonymous (Beatrice Sparks) closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Go Ask Alice with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about addiction, and do you agree with Anonymous (Beatrice Sparks)'s view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as tragic, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces addiction and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Anonymous (Beatrice Sparks) leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Go Ask Alice often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Go Ask Alice earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Go Ask Alice on Amazon
Books to Read After Go Ask Alice
Related: Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks: Summary and Key Takeaways · What Age Is Go Ask Alice Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Go Ask Alice?
The diary ends with the teenage narrator feeling hopeful and deciding she no longer needs a diary. An epilogue then reveals that she died three weeks later of a drug overdose, and that no one knows if it was accidental or deliberate.
Is the ending of Go Ask Alice happy or sad?
Most readers call it tragic.
What does the ending of Go Ask Alice mean?
The ending was designed as a warning about drugs.
Is Go Ask Alice a true story?
It was sold as a real diary, but it is now widely understood to be mostly or entirely written by Beatrice Sparks.
Who wrote Go Ask Alice and when was it published?
Go Ask Alice was written by Anonymous (Beatrice Sparks) and first published in 1971.
Is Go Ask Alice worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult novel written as a diarys. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Anonymous (Beatrice Sparks) prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Go Ask Alice before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.