Oscar and Lucinda discussion

I was discussing this over in my book club on Shelfari, and I thought this might be an interesting question to pose here. (Forgive the C&P job, it's easier than re-typing at 5 am.) This was inspired by my recent experience with Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey.

"I'm notorious for getting all wrapped up in a story and its characters--I often bemoan their fates, whether the bad guys get away or the good guys get injustice. Often, a completely off-the-wall ending for the character can ruin a story for me, even if I can 'see' what the author was trying to do. I don't mind a sad ending, but I need an honest ending, damn it.

Do you ever feel that way--get to know a character so well that you're incredibly distraught over the events that happen to them in the book? Now's your chance to change it. We're going to make this the top five book characters whose fate you would change and why--and, bonus, if you know what you think would be more appropriate (sometimes you do, sometimes you just know that end wasn't right), you can list that if you want."

Any thoughts?