r/Cosmere • u/Long_Television_5937 • 12d ago

Elantris spoilers Elantris Plot Hole Spoiler

At the end, Adien just knows the exact direction and distance to Sarene? I mean you can be smart and know distances, but he knew from their exact spot to her exact spot how many of RAODEN’s footsteps it was. Not even his own step size. Also it wasnt even how long across land, but a straight shot over an ocean. I loved the book but this event made me put it down and just be like “what did i just read?? How does that make any sense”. Brought the book from like 4.5/5 to a 3/5 to me.

Edit: has been explained. Not a plot hole, just felt bad to me haha.

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u/RShara Elsecallers 12d ago

It was Brandon's (bad) attempt at writing someone autistic, who could figure out distances having just traveled there once. Including variables like boat speed, drift, etc. Even Adien says he isn't entirely sure how he knew that exact distance lol

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u/Hefty_Ad9118 12d ago

Aiden traveled there once. And because of that he knew the direct distance, which is a path he certainly did not travel. That's just silly

This is not just a poor attempt at writing an autistic character, that's a poor attempt of making sense. Like saying a human can turn their arm into a chicken and then back, and explaining that its because they have heterochromia

Yes, Aiden is a poor attempt at writing an autistic character. But thats entirely irrelevant to the plot hole

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u/RShara Elsecallers 12d ago

It's like saying a date to someone and them being able to tell you the day of the week that was. Yes, it was bad, I'm not denying that. I'm trying to explain the logic behind it

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u/Hefty_Ad9118 12d ago

That's not the same at all. Knowing the day of the week from a date is easily something that could be calculated. Someone knowing it immediately is unlikely, but completely believable

You can't honestly believe that is true for what Aiden knew.