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The Paper Palace,
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Liz
I think through her Mother's advice about the swim with the forgiveness and a place for sorrow she gave her daughter + the birds ability to fly backwards she is allowing herself to go back to the girl she was.
I think seeing her husband with the kids the night before showed her they would be alright - that his love for them would never alter and he would always be there for them ( unlike her father for her).
I think setting her wedding ring on the step was her commitment to Jonas and letting him know she was choosing him.
I think seeing her husband with the kids the night before showed her they would be alright - that his love for them would never alter and he would always be there for them ( unlike her father for her).
I think setting her wedding ring on the step was her commitment to Jonas and letting him know she was choosing him.
Chelsea Crawford
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Maya Penas
JONAS IT IS!
I have listened to every single interview out there with the author, and it is clear that Elle chose Jonas. What surprised me is that the author did not think the ending ambiguous, and rather thought she was leaving clear cues to her readers. She also mentioned not knowing herself what Elle's choice would be right up 'til the end... and I feel this reflects in the book. Elle is desperately clinging to her life with Peter, to the safety he represents (he is mineral, her rock). Jonas IS the Back Woods (feral, a creature of the woods, skin burnished by sap and pine) - and right at the end, she gives in. The Back Woods are in her bones, Jonas is in her bones. And she in his.
The author also refers to the cues that lead us to this conclusion (the last conversation with Wallace, the feather and.... she also stated that Elle NEVER takes her jewellery out... and she said this with a big smile on her face) :) ... Speaking of cues!
Elle does not take "her wedding ring off one last time" - like some reviews suggest - insinuating she is taking her ring off one final time to be with Jonas, before picking Peter.
The book says - "I take off my wedding ring, hold it in the palm of my hand (...). I squeeze it tight against my life line one final time before leaving it behind me (...)". - This is a very different story. She is taking it off and parting from it, touching it and squeezing it one final time.
Personally, I'm thrilled. I fell in love with all these characters and their complexities. Elle is a beautiful, tormented, real woman. Her choice is heartbreaking. Her choice is exciting. Her choice IS LIFE.
I have listened to every single interview out there with the author, and it is clear that Elle chose Jonas. What surprised me is that the author did not think the ending ambiguous, and rather thought she was leaving clear cues to her readers. She also mentioned not knowing herself what Elle's choice would be right up 'til the end... and I feel this reflects in the book. Elle is desperately clinging to her life with Peter, to the safety he represents (he is mineral, her rock). Jonas IS the Back Woods (feral, a creature of the woods, skin burnished by sap and pine) - and right at the end, she gives in. The Back Woods are in her bones, Jonas is in her bones. And she in his.
The author also refers to the cues that lead us to this conclusion (the last conversation with Wallace, the feather and.... she also stated that Elle NEVER takes her jewellery out... and she said this with a big smile on her face) :) ... Speaking of cues!
Elle does not take "her wedding ring off one last time" - like some reviews suggest - insinuating she is taking her ring off one final time to be with Jonas, before picking Peter.
The book says - "I take off my wedding ring, hold it in the palm of my hand (...). I squeeze it tight against my life line one final time before leaving it behind me (...)". - This is a very different story. She is taking it off and parting from it, touching it and squeezing it one final time.
Personally, I'm thrilled. I fell in love with all these characters and their complexities. Elle is a beautiful, tormented, real woman. Her choice is heartbreaking. Her choice is exciting. Her choice IS LIFE.
Jayna
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Keerthi
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Judith
She has been linked to Jonas all these years because of their secret, punishing herself, but now feels "released" & realizes they couldn't go back even if they wanted to. She isn't selfish enough to hurt her kids the way her dad & mom hurt her. Instead of swimming to Jonas, she takes off her old wedding ring & "presses it into her life line" as a symbol of a new beginning.
Vicki Robinson
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Amber Robins
Completely agree, super disappointed by the ending I wanted to know what happened!
Beth Dohm
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Julie
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Margo Stocker
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Marilyn
I wonder also, but hey, I'm not going to linger on it. The author would like you to choose your answer to the ending I guess.
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