Chapter summaries Any Way the Wind Blows Rainbow Rowell

Chapter 90 Summary: Penelope and Shepard’s Crossroads

⚠️ 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

Penelope brings Shepard to her parents’ house for dinner. Her father is fascinated by Shepard, peppering him with questions about magical creatures, America, and even the weather. Penelope’s mother is more reserved; she warns Penelope privately that Shepard is a Normal and that marrying him would only happen “in three dimensions.” Penelope defends Shepard, pointing out her mother’s bias. After a night at Penelope’s flat (Shepard sleeps in Simon’s old room), they spend the day sightseeing at the British Museum and Westminster Abbey. On the Overground train toward Simon’s, Shepard remarks that he’ll miss the London transport system. Penelope, half-joking, lists attractions he hasn’t seen and urges him to stay. Shepard cites his illegal status, lack of money, and limited possessions. Penelope argues those are technicalities. Shepard then proposes the opposite: Penelope could come back to Omaha with him, or wait while he sorts out his passport and truck. Penelope recalls that her last trip to America ended badly, but Shepard insists she “kicked ass.” He playfully mentions tornado season, leaving the offer open.

Key Events

  • Dinner at Penelope’s family home: Mr. Bunce enthusiastically interrogates Shepard; Mrs. Bunce is wary and makes a snide remark about Normals.
  • Penelope calls out her mother’s insensitivity and asks her to give Shepard a chance.
  • Shepard stays overnight in Simon’s old room; next morning they visit the British Museum and Westminster Abbey.
  • On the Overground train, Penelope blurts out that Shepard should stay in London, but he lists practical obstacles.
  • Shepard counters with an invitation for Penelope to join him in Nebraska or wait for him to return legally.
  • The chapter ends on a light note about Nebraska’s miserable June weather and tornado season.

Character Development

  • Penelope shows vulnerability and directness: she admits she likes Shepard “so much” and doesn’t want him to leave. She shifts from sarcastic banter to sincere pleading.
  • Shepard is torn between his attachment to Penelope and his practical situation. He proposes a compromise—her coming to America—which demonstrates he is thinking long-term and wants her in his life.
  • Penelope’s parents are sketched in contrasting roles: her father as open-minded and charmed, her mother as protective and prejudiced against Normals, adding familial tension to Penelope’s relationship.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Actually Evidenced Here

  • Normal vs. Magic: The dinner conversation and Mrs. Bunce’s comment highlight the ongoing theme of magical people navigating relationships with Normals. Penelope’s resistance to her mother’s prejudice reinforces the idea that love can cross that divide.
  • Belonging and Home: Shepard’s nostalgia for the Overground and his desire to return to Omaha frame the struggle between building a new life in a strange city (London) and the pull of one’s roots.
  • Choice and Compromise: Both characters are at a decision point: Shepard cannot stay legally; Penelope is reluctant to return to America. Each proposes a different solution, and the chapter leaves the outcome ambiguous.
  • Tornado Season: Mentioned as a joke, but tornadoes are a recurring symbol in the Simon Snow series for upheaval, danger, and unpredictable change—mirroring the emotional storm Penelope and Shepard are facing.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens Penelope’s romance with Shepard, moving it from playful flirtation to a serious crossroads. It also provides one of the clearest discussions about the practical challenges of a Normal-magical relationship, grounded in Shepard’s illegal status and lack of resources. The invitation to Omaha sets up a potential major plot development: Penelope’s second trip to America, which could test her independence and her bond with Simon. Additionally, the scene with Penelope’s parents adds texture to her home life and shows how her family fits into the wider magical world.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. How does Penelope’s mother’s attitude toward Shepard reflect broader tensions in the magical community?
    Answer: Mrs. Bunce’s comment that Shepard is a Normal and that Penelope “will only be able to marry him in three dimensions” reveals the condescension many magical families feel toward those without magic. It echoes the Mage’s old policies and shows that prejudice persists even among well-meaning characters.

  2. Why does Shepard suggest Penelope come to Omaha instead of accepting her offer to stay?
    Answer: Shepard is realistic about his legal and financial situation. He cannot work or study in London without documents. By inviting her to America—or asking her to wait—he shifts the burden of sacrifice and demonstrates he wants a future together on equal footing, not as someone dependent on her resources.

  3. What does the chapter imply about Penelope’s feelings for Shepard at this point?
    Answer: Penelope’s blunt declaration “I don’t want you to leave” and her earlier defensiveness against her mother show that her affection has grown beyond casual attraction. She is willing to argue with family and risk looking foolish, indicating a deepening emotional commitment.

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