Summary

Part IX

Chapter 86

In the Shroakes’ parents’ train car are materials for sailing on the water. They put the thing to sea using techniques the Bajjers have perfected with sails. Naphi, Caldera, and Dero all look to the future with Sham, who smiles.

Analysis

The end of the novel “Railsea” by China Mieville involves the setting out of Sham, Naphi, Dero, and Caldera over the open water –the ocean –to places unknown. At first, it appeared as if the Shroake parents wanted their children to find only the end of the rail line, but the discovery of the ocean beyond –and of the strange looking train car before the bridge –convinces Sham otherwise. The Shroake parents may not have known exactly what they would find beyond the ocean, but it was their intent that the end of the line of the railsea was...