Decoding That Deliciously Messy Ending of The Paper Palace
Okay, let's talk about that ending! You know, the one that probably left you staring at the ceiling, wondering if you should re-read the whole thing immediately? The ending of Miranda Cowley Heller's The Paper Palace is less a neat bow and more of a beautifully tangled string of Christmas lights.
The Choice (Or Lack Thereof?)
Elle, our protagonist, wakes up the morning after finally giving in to her lifelong pull towards Jonas. Yes, that Jonas, her childhood crush and best friend, the one she's been secretly (or not-so-secretly) obsessed with forever. She has a choice: stay with her solid, reliable husband, Peter, or throw it all away for a passionate, albeit complicated, future with Jonas.
But...the book ends with her making the coffee. Coffee! Seriously? It’s like watching a reality show where the final rose ceremony gets interrupted by a power outage. Annoying, but also kind of brilliant.
Did she choose Peter? Did she choose Jonas? The book leaves it gloriously ambiguous. It’s like Heller is saying, "Hey, I’ve given you the messy, complicated ingredients, now you bake the cake!"
What Does it All Mean?! Theories Abound!
Here’s where the fun begins. We get to play detective, therapist, and relationship guru all rolled into one! Let's explore some possible interpretations:
Team Peter: Maybe Elle is finally realizing that passion isn't everything. That stability, love, and a shared history are more valuable in the long run. After all, Peter seems like a genuinely good guy, even if he's not setting her soul on fire all the time.
Think of it like choosing between a rollercoaster and a cozy armchair. Rollercoasters are thrilling, but sometimes you just want to relax in a comfortable chair with a good book.
Team Jonas: The heart wants what the heart wants! Elle and Jonas have this intense, magnetic connection that they've denied for decades. Maybe it's finally time to embrace that undeniable pull, consequences be damned!
It’s like finally eating that entire chocolate cake you've been craving. You know you might regret it later, but in the moment, it’s pure bliss!
Team No Choice is a Choice: Perhaps Elle's indecision is the point. Maybe she's stuck, paralyzed by fear and the weight of her past. Her making coffee might symbolize her going through the motions, not truly choosing either path, but just surviving another day. A kind of limbo, right?
Think of it as being stuck at a crossroads, unable to commit to either path. You just stand there, hoping someone will make the decision for you.
The Real Message: It's About the Mess, Not the Answer
Ultimately, I think the ending of The Paper Palace isn't about the answer, but about the question. Life is messy! Relationships are messy! And sometimes, there are no easy answers.
Elle's choice, or lack thereof, reflects the complicated realities of love, desire, and the enduring power of the past. Heller’s not giving us a tidy resolution because life rarely offers them!
So, instead of searching for a definitive answer, maybe we should just appreciate the beautiful, heartbreaking, and utterly human messiness of Elle's story. Now, who wants another cup of coffee?
