Chapter summaries Any Way the Wind Blows Rainbow Rowell

Chapter 91: A Quiet Night of Revelations

⚠️ 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 (Complete and Chronological)

The chapter opens in Simon’s apartment, where the group has returned from Lady Salisbury’s lunch with two hampers of leftovers. Shepard marvels at the quantity of food, comparing the apartment to a Pret a Manger. Simon enthusiastically encourages Shepard to try the cake. Penelope sits beside Baz on the sofa, uncharacteristically relaxed after a successful week: she defeated a demon, won Shepard’s affection, and helped keep Simon alive.

Baz notes that Penelope does not yet know Simon’s latest news. Simon had asked Baz to keep it a secret, saying he needed to “sit with it for a while.” When Penelope casts a spell on Simon—“A horse of a different colour!”—it fails, confirming his ongoing immunity to magic. She insists they keep trying, but Simon declines.

The conversation shifts to Simon’s winged form and the spell‑shirt Baz made for him. Penelope asks how the shirt works if Simon is immune, and Baz explains the spell is on the shirt, not Simon. Simon worries about being dependent on Baz to remove the shirt. Shepard suggests a practical solution: shirts with button‑ or zipper‑openings for wings, inspired by clothing for fairies, harpies, and gargoyles. Baz thinks it’s a good idea, and Simon teases him for only thinking with his wand.

That night, after Baz’s shower, he finds Simon wearing his pyjama trousers and practicing sword maneuvers with the sword given to him by Jamie Salisbury. They playfully argue about sharing the room. Baz picks up his violin; Simon watches and says Baz may play wherever he likes. Simon mentions he should return the sword, but Baz advises him to keep it, calling it “the smallest thing in your life that you need to figure out.”

Baz begins playing a melancholy song. As he plays, Simon wipes tears from his eyes. When Baz stops, Simon asks him to continue. Simon then asks Baz if he thinks the sword is real, and more urgently, “Do you think I was a magician? All along?” Baz affirms it is now clear. Simon admits it is too much for him. Baz sets the sword aside, and Simon crawls into his lap, hiding his face in Baz’s chest. Baz holds him and tells him it would be too much for anyone.

Key Events

Shepard compares the apartment to a Pret a Manger due to the abundance of leftover sandwiches and cake.
Penelope tries a spell on Simon that fails, confirming his magic immunity remains.
Shepard suggests making shirts with openings for wings, offering a non‑magical solution for Simon’s daily clothing.
Simon practices with the sword Excalibur (a brand) and contemplates returning it.
Baz plays a melancholy violin piece, which brings Simon to tears.
Simon confesses his fear that he was always a magician, and Baz confirms this truth.
Baz comforts Simon by holding him and acknowledging the weight of the revelation.

Character Development

Baz (Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch): Baz reveals his protective and affectionate side. He holds back from telling Penelope Simon’s secret at Simon’s request. He plays violin to soothe Simon, and when Simon breaks down, Baz responds with physical comfort and verbal reassurance. His comment about thinking with a wand shows his willingness to be teased.
Simon Snow: Simon is deeply conflicted. He asks Baz to keep his new self‑knowledge secret, indicating he needs time to process. His defensiveness about relying on Baz reflects his struggle with dependence. Crying while Baz plays shows his emotional vulnerability. Directly asking whether he was always a magician demonstrates his need for confirmation and his difficulty accepting his identity.
Penelope Bunce: Penny is unusually at ease, described by Baz as being in a laid‑back mood after a successful week. She remains unaware of Simon’s secret and still believes they should keep trying to restore his magic. Her casual spell‑casting reflects her persistent optimism.
Shepard: Shepard offers a practical, non‑magical solution for Simon’s wings, showing his worldliness and ability to think outside the magickal paradigm. His comment about fairies and harpies illustrates his knowledge of other supernatural beings.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Identity and Self‑Knowledge: Simon’s central question—“Do you think I was a magician? All along?”—drives the chapter. His entire sense of self has been upended, and he must now reconcile his past with a new truth.
Vulnerability and Trust: Simon’s tears and his willingness to burrow into Baz’s chest demonstrate a profound emotional trust. Baz meets this vulnerability with steady care, reinforcing their intimacy.
Dependence and Independence: Simon’s resistance to relying on Baz for the spell‑shirt and his earlier insistence on not telling Penelope highlight his struggle with dependence. Baz gently challenges this by pointing out that relying on someone is not a weakness.
Music as Emotional Expression: Baz’s violin playing is not merely entertainment; it serves as a catalyst for Simon’s tears. Baz acknowledges the song is melancholy, and Simon tells him not to stop, suggesting the music allows him to release pent‑up emotions.
The Sword as Symbol: The sword Excalibur (brand name) represents Simon’s past as a fighter and his current uncertainty. He practices with it but questions whether he should keep it. Baz’s advice to keep it as the smallest thing to figure out underscores the larger identity crisis at hand.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 91 provides a quiet, intimate counterpoint to the action‑oriented earlier chapters. It marks a turning point in Simon’s psychological journey: he moves from hiding his secret to voicing his deepest fear out loud. Baz’s unwavering acceptance—both verbally and through physical comfort—strengthens their relationship and gives Simon a safe space to break down. The chapter also introduces a practical innovation (wing‑friendly shirts) that will likely affect Simon’s daily life going forward. By focusing on emotional aftermath rather than plot advancement, the chapter deepens character bonds and sets the stage for Simon’s acceptance of his true nature.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Simon ask Baz not to tell Penelope about his discovery?
Simon says he “just need[s] to sit with it for a while.” He is not ready to share the information, indicating he is still processing the emotional weight of learning he was always a magician.
How does the conversation about shirts with wing openings reveal differences in the characters’ thinking?
Simon and Baz initially rely on magical solutions; Shepard immediately offers a practical, Normal‑world design based on his experience with winged beings. This contrast highlights how Shepard brings a fresh perspective that the magickal characters overlook.
What does Baz’s violin playing accomplish in this scene?
The melancholy song triggers Simon’s tears, allowing him to release pent‑up emotion. Simon later asks Baz not to stop, showing that the music provides a non‑verbal outlet for his feelings. Baz’s willingness to play and then comfort Simon deepens their emotional connection.