Would love to hear others thoughts on the ending (spoiler alert!) to “The Cartographers” by Peng Shepherd. I really enjoyed the intriguing premise of a paper town becoming real, and also loved the tight-knit group of grad students working together.

But, I had so many questions at the end. I kept wondering when they were going to explain how the magic worked–who has the power to create new places? What are the limits and costs?

Also was mystified at why Tamara stayed hidden all those years, and that when Nell seemed to do the same thing, Felix “was glad she chose maps, in the end.” What? After all the talk about maps connecting people, this didn’t seem to fit. By the time Nell magically resurfaces, I didn’t care as much about her anymore, because she liked maps more than people, in a weird way.

Really enjoyed the book overall, but feel like I don’t understand the ending. Maybe someone else can give me a different perspective?

  • greebytime@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I didn’t even think we needed to know how the magic worked, though it’s a good question. My general reaction - and I liked the book - was that the more I thought about the ‘logic’ of the book, the less sense it made. So…I stopped worrying about that and just read it.