The Map Maker

Book excerpt: The Map Maker is the story of a young adventurer who travels to Paradise Island with the aid of a magical map. Here, he begins his own “knowledge quest” to better understand why people see the world just the way they do. Using simple prose, this illustrated short story introduces and explores the meaning behind the phrase “the subjectivity of truth and the relativity of reality.” Target Audience: This story is ideally suited to high school or college students studying English literature or philosophy and lends itself to classroom or group discussion. It is a think piece that explores the topic of human perspective and shows the folly in believing that we can see the world in an objective manner. “The Map Maker is a short story as playful as it is poignant. The marriage of whimsical images and thought-provoking text creates a unique tapestry: one that weaves storytelling and philosophy with literary verve. Royal challenges us to think about the key role that perspective plays in our lives. He also shows how literature, acting as both an art form and a pragmatic tool, can help us gain critical insights.” —Rachel Metalin, B.A. M.A., English Instructor, Upper Canada College (UCC), Toronto, Canada