The Exile and the Mapmaker: Compassionate and Eye-Opening, This Novel Is a Testament to the Triumph of the Human Spirit

An important novel that is as compassionate as it is eye-opening, The Exile and the Mapmaker is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit.

Theo, an aging Parisian cartographer, is desperately searching for the woman he once loved before Alzheimer’s takes his memories of her.

Elise, his estranged daughter, moves in to take care of him. She still blames him for the tragic loss of her mother and is struggling with this new forced intimacy.

Nebay, an Eritrean refugee, becomes Theo’s carer and friend. Unbeknownst to Elise, Nebay does not have a visa for France and is working illegally in order to support his sister.

Each one is living a life of questions and secrets in a world where Nebay’s very presence in the France of Theo’s maps is steeped in uncertainty.

‘A beautifully written and moving story of human connections, the many ways our lives can fracture and the courage needed for repair.’ Katherine Stansfield

‘Here the camps, refugees and political struggles we know from the papers come together in a story no paper can ever tell us. It's a story of memory, loss, redemption, and of love in all its many guises... A very moving book.’ Matthew Francis

'The characters are brilliantly done… it is very difficult not to fall in love with everyone. Being whisked away to Paris was a joy. An emotional and eye-opening reading experience and I would definitely recommend you give it a try.' @stories_with_hope

'A heart-warming story that sensitively captures a plethora of timely issues. Emma Musty has crafted an enlightening and charming novel that kept me engrossed to the very end. Truly worth reading!' @bibliobushra

'A historical but at times oh so present novel, full of thought changing anecdotes and meaningful quotes, with a heartbreaking culturally evil story surrounding such words… A beautifully written story' @lost_in_her_bookland

'Thought provoking and emotional, this story opens your eyes and enthrals you with the beautiful story that is written between the pages.' @SecretWorldOfaBook

Emma Musty is an editor and writer with Are You Syrious?, an independent daily news digest which chronicles news from the ground regarding the refugee situation in Europe. She is also a freelance consultant for Refugee Rights Europe. Twitter: @EmmaMusty.