Maps in books, and the art of world building.

I recently read a post by William Gibson called "the great clomping foot of nerdism" that can be found here: http://williamgibsonblog.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html

I cannot more highly recommend giving this a read through as it really opened my eyes to a problem in writing and that is in the realm of world building.

I love a good map and I can look at them for great lengths of time and feel like I can put myself into any part of them. Above is a very recognisable map of Middle Earth and it helps the reader understand the scale of Froddo's journey to destroy the ring in the fires of Mount Doom.

I just wonder does the map take away from the readers enjoyment of the adventure? The way I look at it is that if you are about to read the Fellowship of the Ring then one of the first things that you will see is this map. As you will no doubt know before reading, the Hobbits have to travel to Mordor. This means that from the very beginning the map can give you an idea of where the Hobbits have to go and perhaps some of the hardships they will face before you have even got far into the story.

China Mieville once said (sorry for paraphrasing but it was a crowded room when I heard him say this) that as a writer he is saying to his readers that he is placing them in a world that is nothing like they know, it is vast, full of wonder and anything can happen. But by putting a map into the book its OK as there are rules and place a links to place b so its not too dangerous and you are in fact safe. When he put it like that I agreed that maybe maps in books do take away from the readers experience of imaging the world and how it all fits together themselves.

Also, if I had written a book and put a map in it which featured a prominent river in the middle, would I not encounter a problem if I were to write a sequel that featured sections on the river. I would have to stay true to the map rather than the story that I wished to write.

As much as I enjoy having maps and other pictures in books, perhaps it is better that some things are left for the readers imagination and that in this day and age the author could put a map of how they see their world on their website so if people want a map they can get one.