The boy “Griz” has a helpful map and Swiss Army knife to guide himself through a barren Earth, but the novel also sees apocalyptic value in a good story. “Brand” deploys his spinning yarns to swindle. Griz writes his personal account as an act of faith—that it will be read by someone who needs it, sure, but also that it will keep him alive. If you‘re writing, after all, that means the journey hasn‘t concluded and a good ending is still possible.