The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles On page 316 of the novel The French Lieutenant's Woman author John Fowles briefly interrupts the fiction to discuss with the reader his role as a novelist. He has come up with two very different endings to the novel and wishes to share both with his readers. However, he cannot give two storyline endings simultaneously, and if one comes before another, the final chapter will seem more potent than the first. In trying not to side with any particular characters he decides on a coin toss to decide which conclusion to give last. At this point Charles is on a train, and Fowles considers leaving him there to allow the reade