The Map Maker’s Promise covers an intriguing mix of topics such as the challenges of motherhood, the burden of mistakes, the pain of violations and the fear of choices to name a few. And yes, the terrible effects of WW2 on personal lives and the sacrifices of those who tried to fight back by entering the domain of various secret services. For protagonist Clare, becoming a map maker for Bomber Command gave her a focus but it separated her from her family. And she struggled with the killing part of the operation which added even more guilt to her already overburdened conscience.
When Clare was nineteen and working in a BBC office, she fell to the wiles of her boss, which led to a violation. Her parents were not supportive in helping her after the devastating event. Because she kept secret what really happened, they assumed the fault was with her. And when the encounter resulted in a pregnancy, they were more concerned with what their neighbours thought than making sure their daughter was okay. Clare then decided to move away to her sister’s home in The Highlands where she could sort out her life and give birth to her daughter. But her troubles did not end there. In fact, the stresses of motherhood were more than she could bear. She was haunted by what had happened to her and afraid of the man who violated her. Suffering in silence she felt lost and about to make a regrettable choice. But is rescued by a local fellow named Cal McGinnis: ‘the man with white hair who ran the post office at Foyers.’ Yet again, disappointment in herself continued to grow and it seemed she would never be free to live a normal life. When she is offered a job to work as a map maker, she grasps onto it while making a promise to return for her daughter when the war is over. But when that day comes, things do not go as planned.
In the second timeline, we see Clare’s daughter, Mirren, fully grown and married and with a daughter of her own. She never quite feels like she belongs and cannot understand why her mother left her as an infant. Or why when Clare comes home to get her after she has settled with her new husband, that she is left behind again. Of course, we get the backstory from Clare of what happened to bring about the change of plans. But Mirren spends much of her life trying to understand and process what she thinks is rejection. In time, events transpire that provide her with some information— including letters from her mother to a friend that end up in her possession. The conclusion is quite revealing when she says she is not ‘lost’ anymore. Which brings us full circle if we go back to the Prologue (which I did) and re-read it. When she was a child riding in Cal’s car, he tells her if she ever gets ‘lost’ to remember she lives in ‘the last house on the lochan’. At the time she could not understand why he said that. But much later in her life she finally understands and she reconnects with the land that adopted her and reconnects with her husband. Plus she remembers the experience with the deer and how it compares to her mother. This realisation frees her.
Because the conclusion at first seemed abrupt, I went back to the beginning and re-read the Prologue. And I found so much more by doing so. I think you need to do this to get the full meaning of the ending. As there are many little words or hints in the Prologue that are also dotted throughout the novel that when joined together give this story added meaning and magnitude. There is so much more here below the surface than what initially appears. It is like looking into the Loch and seeing past surface reflections. When peering into the depth of the waters, there is another world hidden from view. Much like a person’s heart filled with secrets and fears. And Clare’s heart was much like this. Shaped by environment, expectations, family and tragedies. Broken and unable to trust or believe or maintain hope.
A big part of this story is the Highland setting. It is a character itself and stunningly portrayed with all its beauty and fierceness. Nature has its own order and wildness which is in contrast to Clare’s life that is filled with disharmony and unnaturalness. Ms Law uses this tool well to show us the discord in humans but how the environment can provide restoration and balance. And she painted such a vivid picture of the Highlands that I felt transported there! The Map Maker’s Promise initially exhibits a lot of sadness and pain but it also evolves into a landscape of healing and hope. Highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
