What do you think?
Rate this book
The Exile and the Mapmaker
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
- GenresFiction
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2021
15 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 23, 2021
This is a well written, emotional and beautiful story about lost love, regret, estranged family, memory loss, and displacement. The book was a slow burning start. Well-developed and likeable characters that I connected with. Overall a heartfelt story that was a pleasure to read and will stay with me for a while. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2021
Beautiful and emotional journey
It is trully beautiful book. It is sad, but full of love one can feel from every page. It tells important story about the love that can win anything.
It is trully beautiful book. It is sad, but full of love one can feel from every page. It tells important story about the love that can win anything.
September 25, 2025
In Emma Musty's engaging novel,
The Exile and the Mapmaker,
the past and the futures of two very different men come together. The young Eritrean exile Nebay and the much older, once brilliant cartographer Theo, share similar pasts affected by war, alienation and the memories of lost famlies, lovers and friends.
Nebay, " ...like Theo had been to war. He, like Theo had hidden his flesh and bones from bullets, but this idea seemed ridiculous as all wars do when viewed from a point of safety.
They both lived half lives. Sometimes they existed in the present and among the living. The rest of the time they spent in the past with the dead and the lost."
The novel tells the story of how Theo and Nebay support each other to manage their 'half lives' when ill-health, aggressive government policies towards asylum seekers, homelessness and poverty play seemingly overwhelming roles in their daily lives.
I was impressed and surprised that Emma Musty was able to bring a gentle tone to the novel even while the lives of the characters were in turmoil. Whilst dealing with his own precarious future, the portrayal of Nebay's compassionate relationship with Theo and his comradeship with his fellow exiles, means that the novel manages to maintain a feeling of hope for the characters' futures.
Thank you to indyreads for including this touching, relevant-to-today novel in its online catalogue.
3.5 stars, recommended.
Nebay, " ...like Theo had been to war. He, like Theo had hidden his flesh and bones from bullets, but this idea seemed ridiculous as all wars do when viewed from a point of safety.
They both lived half lives. Sometimes they existed in the present and among the living. The rest of the time they spent in the past with the dead and the lost."
The novel tells the story of how Theo and Nebay support each other to manage their 'half lives' when ill-health, aggressive government policies towards asylum seekers, homelessness and poverty play seemingly overwhelming roles in their daily lives.
I was impressed and surprised that Emma Musty was able to bring a gentle tone to the novel even while the lives of the characters were in turmoil. Whilst dealing with his own precarious future, the portrayal of Nebay's compassionate relationship with Theo and his comradeship with his fellow exiles, means that the novel manages to maintain a feeling of hope for the characters' futures.
Thank you to indyreads for including this touching, relevant-to-today novel in its online catalogue.
3.5 stars, recommended.
July 9, 2021
This one really surprised me! In the best way.
Three characters' lives come together due to life circumstances. They all have their demons to battle, but as an added extra, our mapmaker is living with dementia - and I found this to be a character in itself.
As my working life is centred around working with individuals and conditions such as dementia, I don't usually enjoy reading fiction about it. BUT... this was done exceptionally well! 💝
Nebay the Exile, Theo the mapmaker and Elise the daughter yearning for her fairy tale ending.... this book is quietly touching, its subtly thought provoking, and simply lovely.
..'it was a kind of life, but not one he thought would ever belong to him..'
'...he, like Theo, had hidden his flesh and bones from bullets, ...this seemed rediculous like all wars do, when viewed from a point of safety..'
'...Celeste is right.... I didn't spend enough time with him, and now he's slipping away... I'm not ready to let him go..'
🧡🌎🧡
Three characters' lives come together due to life circumstances. They all have their demons to battle, but as an added extra, our mapmaker is living with dementia - and I found this to be a character in itself.
As my working life is centred around working with individuals and conditions such as dementia, I don't usually enjoy reading fiction about it. BUT... this was done exceptionally well! 💝
Nebay the Exile, Theo the mapmaker and Elise the daughter yearning for her fairy tale ending.... this book is quietly touching, its subtly thought provoking, and simply lovely.
..'it was a kind of life, but not one he thought would ever belong to him..'
'...he, like Theo, had hidden his flesh and bones from bullets, ...this seemed rediculous like all wars do, when viewed from a point of safety..'
'...Celeste is right.... I didn't spend enough time with him, and now he's slipping away... I'm not ready to let him go..'
🧡🌎🧡
June 18, 2021
The Exile And The Mapmaker is such a beautiful story, full of compassion and human spirit, with characters you will fall in love with and anecdotes that will make you see the world with eyes more open. I can't sing the praises of this beautiful, thought provoking novel highly enough.
Told from three perspectives, Theo an ageing Parisian Cartographer, recently diagnosed with Alzheimers disease and desperately searching for the woman he loves.
Elise, Theo's estranged daughter who moves in with him to take care of a man she holds deep resentment towards.
And Nebay an Eritrean refugee who becomes the carer and best friend of Theo. Working in France to support his sister who is currently being held in a detention centre in the UK. Nebay is at risk too as he doesn't have the papers that make working in France legal.
Three people who form the unlikeliest of friendships but have a bond built on mutual love and respect, I honestly loved reading their journeys of self discovery unfold. The relationships between the characters is stunning especially between Theo and Nebay, a friendship so pure and untarnished, is something we could all learn from, proof that love really has no borders.
Having family members that have been diagnosed with dementia I'm always wary about books that depict this in the storyline, but Emma Musty completely writes Theo's illness with such dignity and care it was cathartic to read.
Obviously my heart lies with Nebay and his story is harrowing and timely and actually a reality for so many refugees.
An emotional, impactful novel that will stay with me for a long time, I'm so grateful I got to read The Exile And The Mapmaker and would highly recommend it.
Told from three perspectives, Theo an ageing Parisian Cartographer, recently diagnosed with Alzheimers disease and desperately searching for the woman he loves.
Elise, Theo's estranged daughter who moves in with him to take care of a man she holds deep resentment towards.
And Nebay an Eritrean refugee who becomes the carer and best friend of Theo. Working in France to support his sister who is currently being held in a detention centre in the UK. Nebay is at risk too as he doesn't have the papers that make working in France legal.
Three people who form the unlikeliest of friendships but have a bond built on mutual love and respect, I honestly loved reading their journeys of self discovery unfold. The relationships between the characters is stunning especially between Theo and Nebay, a friendship so pure and untarnished, is something we could all learn from, proof that love really has no borders.
Having family members that have been diagnosed with dementia I'm always wary about books that depict this in the storyline, but Emma Musty completely writes Theo's illness with such dignity and care it was cathartic to read.
Obviously my heart lies with Nebay and his story is harrowing and timely and actually a reality for so many refugees.
An emotional, impactful novel that will stay with me for a long time, I'm so grateful I got to read The Exile And The Mapmaker and would highly recommend it.
April 6, 2021
Review for The Exile and The Mapmaker
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.
This is the heartbreaking yet mind blowing story of two gentlemen, different races, times of life, generations and difficulties but brought together by the need for one another. A story that featured two horrendous but prevalent and important subjects; alzheimers and loss of memories and life changed before truth can be told, and regrets can be repaired. And then the journey of a refugee, the fight for freedom and for a place to call home in a country so willing to remove and replace, sometimes kill, without reason.
This was a beautifully written story, that pulled on my heart strings but also changed my opinions of the way our world works. The chapter lengths were short and snappy, the characters were charming and brave, the book was just a one of a kind.
The ending is where it lost its complete 5 stars for me, I love an open ending, an ending that enables its reader to draw on their own imagination, but for me this was too open, such a story needed closure. Perhaps Emma Musty will give us more.
Highly recommend this novel, to be educated, shocked, changed and be taught that "it is a terrible thing, you know, growing old. Ah but it is much worse not to see old age at all"
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.
This is the heartbreaking yet mind blowing story of two gentlemen, different races, times of life, generations and difficulties but brought together by the need for one another. A story that featured two horrendous but prevalent and important subjects; alzheimers and loss of memories and life changed before truth can be told, and regrets can be repaired. And then the journey of a refugee, the fight for freedom and for a place to call home in a country so willing to remove and replace, sometimes kill, without reason.
This was a beautifully written story, that pulled on my heart strings but also changed my opinions of the way our world works. The chapter lengths were short and snappy, the characters were charming and brave, the book was just a one of a kind.
The ending is where it lost its complete 5 stars for me, I love an open ending, an ending that enables its reader to draw on their own imagination, but for me this was too open, such a story needed closure. Perhaps Emma Musty will give us more.
Highly recommend this novel, to be educated, shocked, changed and be taught that "it is a terrible thing, you know, growing old. Ah but it is much worse not to see old age at all"
June 16, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
🗺️"There was nothing more dangerous to the journey than the human tendency to care too much. Travellers must remain strangers if they are to survive each other's loss"🗺️
This is a wonderful book full of empathetic characters. Theo, in his late 70's is descending into Alzheimer's. Elise, his estranged daughter is forced back home to take care of him. Nebay is an Eritrean refugee working and living in Paris with two friends he has made along the way, the doctor and the lawyer. They all wish to make it to the UK. Nebay has more reason than most to get there, as his younger sister has already made it.
After a chance encounter, Nebay becomes Theo's carer. And they will help each other in ways they didn't realise they could. Their friendship is so touching. You feel the frustration and anger from Theo as his memories are taken from him. And you see all that Nebay has to offer, but is being denied the opportunity because he is an illegal immigrant.
Nebay is haunted by ghosts in his past. And Theo struggles with memories of his wife Monique and his one true love Marieanne who he hasn't seen in decades. It's also a story of a daughter forgiving her father and giving herself permission to move on.
A book full of heart and feeling. And a reminder that love has no borders. Beautiful.
🗺️"There was nothing more dangerous to the journey than the human tendency to care too much. Travellers must remain strangers if they are to survive each other's loss"🗺️
This is a wonderful book full of empathetic characters. Theo, in his late 70's is descending into Alzheimer's. Elise, his estranged daughter is forced back home to take care of him. Nebay is an Eritrean refugee working and living in Paris with two friends he has made along the way, the doctor and the lawyer. They all wish to make it to the UK. Nebay has more reason than most to get there, as his younger sister has already made it.
After a chance encounter, Nebay becomes Theo's carer. And they will help each other in ways they didn't realise they could. Their friendship is so touching. You feel the frustration and anger from Theo as his memories are taken from him. And you see all that Nebay has to offer, but is being denied the opportunity because he is an illegal immigrant.
Nebay is haunted by ghosts in his past. And Theo struggles with memories of his wife Monique and his one true love Marieanne who he hasn't seen in decades. It's also a story of a daughter forgiving her father and giving herself permission to move on.
A book full of heart and feeling. And a reminder that love has no borders. Beautiful.
July 4, 2021
This is an emotional and poignant read that explores themes of lost loves, friendships, family and separation. The narrative switches between the 3 main protagonists so that we build a deeper understanding of their individual stories and background which are inter-connected in the story’s present day. They’ve each suffered pain and loss in their past, and it’s really heartwarming to see how they help each other to heal again and believe in a better future.
Emma Musty explores an interesting historical period which highlights the tragedy of Europe’s refugee crisis, and reveals the real lives that are impacted by this, on both sides. Musty portrays these issues in a compassionate and sensitive manner. I had a lot of empathy for the characters in particular Nebay who is simply finding his way home.
A heartwarming and captivating read, which transported me through different historical periods and places, that I felt I was exploring the stories buried in the maps that Theo has crafted. Highly recommend for readers that enjoy historical fiction and tales about love, connection and belonging.
Emma Musty explores an interesting historical period which highlights the tragedy of Europe’s refugee crisis, and reveals the real lives that are impacted by this, on both sides. Musty portrays these issues in a compassionate and sensitive manner. I had a lot of empathy for the characters in particular Nebay who is simply finding his way home.
A heartwarming and captivating read, which transported me through different historical periods and places, that I felt I was exploring the stories buried in the maps that Theo has crafted. Highly recommend for readers that enjoy historical fiction and tales about love, connection and belonging.
May 25, 2022
This is such a hidden gem of a novel from a fresh young author who really deserves to be noticed. The style is understated yet beautifully written and so compelling I couldn't put it down. I was instantly drawn into the characters lives and struggles... it is above all a book about our shared humanity; that which brings us together and reminds us that we are not so different despite our cultural heritage, age, colour or nationality. It also offers a window into the cruel and dehumanising world of immigration and asylum, but with the focus always on the emotional journeys of the characters. Highly recommended.
May 14, 2021
A touching story about love, love lost, freedom, regret, and the slow burn of age. Theo, the cartographer, lives at the whim of the light switch that is Alzheimer’s. In moving through it he’s reunited with his now adult daughter, Elise, and becomes acquainted by chance with a young, Eritrean refugee, Nebay. It was difficult to follow the authors prose in the beginning, I suspect by design in showing the fluttering of our natural thought processes. Once I understood this it was easier to follow through with the read, and I’m glad I did.
Was given a copy via NetGalley in exchange for review
Was given a copy via NetGalley in exchange for review
September 4, 2023
There are three main characters, and their three stories intertwine and contrast each other in an enjoyable tale of three different people living side-by-side. Much of the story is sad and makes one feel sad and angry on behalf of the characters, but ultimately each of the three characters happily move on, or rather back, to find what fulfils them.
Each reader will no doubt bring their own preconceptions with them when reading; in my case I was entertained and informed particularly by two of the characters, and I suspect that this will be different for different readers.
Each reader will no doubt bring their own preconceptions with them when reading; in my case I was entertained and informed particularly by two of the characters, and I suspect that this will be different for different readers.
July 12, 2021
This is a heartfelt debut about the cruelties of dementia and Britain’s response to refugees, founded in the author’s activism in Calais and Athens. It’s also about love and loss and the enduring impact of trauma, from which I learnt a little more about Algeria’s tangled history with colonial France. https://annegoodwin.weebly.com/annecd...
October 14, 2024
An elderly man reminisces about a lost love as he starts to lose his faculties and his memory. His daughter, frustrated and not a good communicator, needs someone to take over her father's care, having neither the patience nor the time to care for him herself. Along comes Nebay, an Eritrean refugee, who the father befriends. Nebay is kind and caring but sadly has no legal status in the Country which puts the family in a difficult situation.
It seems a gentle read at first but as the chapters roll there is more substance to it. When Theo was young and in love it was during troubled times in France. When Nebay was in Eritrea there were troubled times too, and his escape had been full of woe.
I'd recommend this book.
It seems a gentle read at first but as the chapters roll there is more substance to it. When Theo was young and in love it was during troubled times in France. When Nebay was in Eritrea there were troubled times too, and his escape had been full of woe.
I'd recommend this book.
June 20, 2023
This book opens our hearts and minds to the experiences of people society often likes to ignore. I quickly bonded with the characters and felt like I knew them and was on the journey with them. It's heart breaking to acknowledge how some people are shut out of our society and culture, but this book showed the human connection in all of us if we are able to allow it in.
It left me with hope that if we can have compassion for others we can overcome many of the challenges we face in these times of 'us Vs them' and recognise the systems we live under are the real cause of our problems, not each other. A politically relevant and timely book.
It left me with hope that if we can have compassion for others we can overcome many of the challenges we face in these times of 'us Vs them' and recognise the systems we live under are the real cause of our problems, not each other. A politically relevant and timely book.
May 25, 2022
A nuanced and compassionate book. So delicately told, understated, beautiful and heartbreaking.
A tale of desperate searching for a lost love before alzeimer's overpowers the mind. Another searches for safety and security in a hostile world, another is trying to process her emotions and understanding of her past as she witnesses her father being stripped of who he is by disease.
A tale of desperate searching for a lost love before alzeimer's overpowers the mind. Another searches for safety and security in a hostile world, another is trying to process her emotions and understanding of her past as she witnesses her father being stripped of who he is by disease.
March 30, 2025
There is so much to like about this book. Historical fiction set in Europe after the second war with a compassionate and melancholic narrative. It has the perspectives of Jewish survivors, unwilling soldiers conscripted for the war in Algeria, North African refugees and an estranged daughter who knows little of her father’s life. Sad, deep and thoughtful.
May 13, 2021
This is a beautifully written debut novel about the many ways conflict tears lives apart, and how fracture can lead to friendship, love and hope. This story manages to be redemptive while avoiding easy answers or sentimentality. I loved it.
October 30, 2021
I really loved this book. Interesting characters that you can really relate to, they got right in my heart. It covers such important topics of migration, prejudice, belonging, relationships, loss and connection. Really worth a read. An exciting new author to follow!
May 25, 2022
Had the luck of being able to read this amazing book before its publishing.
It's a compelling read. it's beautifully written and the story explores topics like Alzheimer and migration intelligently and respectfully.
Recommended!!
It's a compelling read. it's beautifully written and the story explores topics like Alzheimer and migration intelligently and respectfully.
Recommended!!
May 3, 2024
Despite this book covering many a sad topic such as dementia, the struggles of an asylum seeker, estranged family and a long lost lover , I just could not put the book down. Emma's style of writing really draws you in and I found myself always wanting to know what next.
August 23, 2021
A beautiful and emotional story. But the ending? Nooo... I was trying to find the next page!
October 31, 2021
A beautiful book exploring what it means to be alive, what relationships mean to us and the power of human connection, underlined with thought provoking political questions.
January 7, 2022
Make sure you have a box of tissues with you
March 4, 2022
This wasn't really for me. I enjoyed the first half but then...I don't know...I just didn't care anymore. And the ending was infuriating...
March 23, 2022
Hard to read since there is so much realistic tragedy involved. Her characters are sympathetic, and she evokes empathy for illegal immigrants is a subtle way. The book needed another edit, though.
May 25, 2022
A wonderful book. I gave a copy to my mum and she loved it too.
September 10, 2023
A lovely story about the importance of holding on to memories. I loved to see every turning point in the story from each main character’s perspective.
April 16, 2024
The Exile and the Mapmaker, captivated med right from the start and took me on a rollercoaster journey of warmth, love and insights. Loved it .
August 27, 2024
A real gem! Waiting for the Italian translation to read it again
September 11, 2024
This book was such a good read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews