As a writer, you should not judge, you should understand.

And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual. This is what I am and what I am about. (East of Eden)

...That's the way things come clear. All of a sudden. And then you realize how obvious they've been all along... (The Arm of the Starfish)

Most readers, if they’re honest, want happy endings. They might not get them, but that doesn’t stop them wanting it.