Chapter summaries Any Way the Wind Blows Rainbow Rowell

Any Way the Wind Blows — Chapter 37 Summary

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Chapter 37 is narrated by Baz and opens at Lady Salisbury’s kitchen table, where she has baked a cake. Baz and Simon share the news that Daphne (Baz’s stepmother) claims Jamie—Lady Salisbury’s son—has been healed by Smith-Richards, becoming his “first miracle.” Lady Salisbury is overcome with emotion, crying and laughing as she processes that her son can finally do magic.

Baz is deeply doubtful. He argues that the healing could be a trick or a placebo effect, especially since Smith-Richards discourages his followers from engaging with skeptics. Simon, however, wants to believe that Smith-Richards might genuinely be the Chosen One, pointing out that he himself never fixed anyone’s magic the way Smith-Richards did. Baz counters that Simon once fixed the entire magical firmament, so he has no room to discount Simon’s own power. The debate continues even after they go to bed at Simon’s flat.

Lady Salisbury shares Baz’s caution. She recalls that Jamie used to call her questions “counterproductive to the cause,” hinting at a cult-like control. She insists that anything worth believing should withstand scrutiny—a statement Baz fully supports.

The three decide they need to see Jamie in person. Baz and Simon volunteer to infiltrate Smith-Richards’s clubhouse. After lunch, as they leave, Simon halts at the Tube station and nervously asks if he can come with Baz to his flat and pick up some clothes—essentially moving in for a while. Baz, afraid to presume, asks for clarification, and Simon admits he doesn’t know how to do this relationship thing but wants to try. Baz assures him it isn’t too much, and they head off together.

Key Events

  • Baz and Simon inform Lady Salisbury that Jamie has been healed by Smith-Richards, gaining magic.
  • Lady Salisbury breaks down crying, struggling with mixed feelings of joy and distrust.
  • Baz and Simon argue about Smith-Richards’s legitimacy—Baz insisting it could be a trick, Simon hoping he is the real Chosen One.
  • Lady Salisbury criticizes Smith-Richards for isolating followers from doubters.
  • The trio agrees that Baz and Simon will go to Smith-Richards’s clubhouse to find Jamie.
  • At the Tube station, Simon asks to move in with Baz temporarily; Baz agrees, and they leave together.

Character Development

  • Baz: He remains analytical and protective, skeptical of easy answers. Yet he softens when Simon asks to live with him, showing vulnerability in his willingness to risk rejection. His dry humor (“I burn in the sunlight”) hints at his ongoing discomfort with his vampire nature.
  • Simon: He openly admits his lack of self-preservation—a trait Lady Salisbury notices immediately. His desire to believe in Smith-Richards reflects his longing for a clear purpose after his own magic faded. His impulsive request to stay with Baz signals a new willingness to commit and be vulnerable.
  • Lady Salisbury: She is introduced as a warm, emotional presence but also sharp and intuitive. Her distrust of Smith-Richards, rooted in evidence of cult-like behavior, aligns her with Baz and reinforces the theme that true magic shouldn’t fear questioning.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Skepticism vs. Hope: Baz and Simon embody these opposing stances. Baz demands proof; Simon trusts what feels miraculous. Lady Salisbury’s line, “Truth doesn’t burn in the sunlight,” becomes a motif for healthy skepticism.
  • Cake and Comfort: The shared cake at Lady Salisbury’s table symbolizes a rare domestic peace—a contrast to the dangerous world of Smith-Richards. Food is a gesture of care in a chapter full of emotional upheaval.
  • Sunlight: Baz’s joke about burning in sunlight underscores his vampire identity and his feeling of being an outsider, even as Simon pulls him into intimacy.
  • Cult Dynamics: Smith-Richards’s control over his followers—discouraging contact with doubters—is highlighted as a red flag, suggesting his “miracles” may be manipulative.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 37 advances two critical arcs. First, it deepens the mystery around Smith-Richards by presenting concrete evidence of his influence through Daphne and Jamie, while also planting seeds of doubt. Second, it marks a turning point in Baz and Simon’s relationship. Simon’s request to move in—tentative and honest—signals a move from “pushing away” to “pulling close,” a major emotional step for both characters. The chapter balances high-stakes magical intrigue with intimate character work.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Lady Salisbury cry when she hears Jamie has been healed?
    She cries because the news is overwhelming—her son has achieved what he always wanted, yet she fears it might be too good to be true. Her tears express both relief and anxiety.

  2. What does Baz mean when he says, “We don’t know that anyone isn’t” the Chosen One?
    He is arguing that Simon’s logic is flawed: just because Smith-Richards might be the Chosen One doesn’t mean he actually is. Baz demands stronger evidence than vague possibility.

  3. What does Simon’s decision to ask to stay with Baz reveal about his character?
    Simon admits he doesn’t know how to handle a relationship—he’s better at pushing people away. His willingness to try, despite his fear of being “too much,” shows growth and a desire for emotional connection over isolation.

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