The Book of Love
The Book of Bogomil and Susannah
by Link, KellyIn this chapter of *The Book of Bogomil and Susannah*, Susannah lies awake, enveloped by Daniel’s arms and haunted by the recent death of her mother, Ruth. Seeking solace, she retreats into a dream realm known as the kingdom of Bogomil, a dark and mysterious forest where she can be entirely herself, free from external expectations. This realm, accessible only with Bogomil’s presence, blurs the lines between reality and dream, offering Susannah a sanctuary for reflection and confrontation with her complex emotions surrounding loss and identity.
Within this dreamscape, Susannah engages in a profound dialogue with Bogomil, who reveals truths about death, memory, and fate. Susannah grapples with feelings of guilt over the deaths of her loved ones, including Ruth and others who had mysteriously disappeared. Bogomil clarifies that Malo Mogge, an ominous figure connected to Ruth’s death, holds a key that traps souls in this threshold between life and death. This key, once a coin given by Mo, symbolizes the tangled connections and unresolved conflicts that define Susannah’s reality and dreams.
The conversation deepens as Susannah admits to not having fulfilled a crucial task involving the coin and Daniel, which was supposed to unite them forever and grant her access to Bogomil’s realm. Bogomil’s cautionary advice to trust no one, not even those closest to her like Laura, highlights the pervasive uncertainty and betrayal Susannah faces. The dialogue underscores the fragile boundary between trust and deception, illustrating Susannah’s struggle to navigate relationships and her own fractured sense of self in the aftermath of tragedy.
Awakening from the dream, Susannah finds Daniel asleep beside her, yet the physical world holds unsettling signs: the absence of her mother and Laura’s bodies, remnants of blood stains, and a mysterious folded paper bearing her own handwriting. This eerie discovery leaves Susannah suspended between reality and the enigmatic forces she has encountered, setting a tone of suspense and unresolved mystery that permeates the chapter. The narrative masterfully intertwines dream and waking life, illustrating Susannah’s inner turmoil and the elusive nature of truth.
FAQs
1. How does Susannah’s dreamscape, described as the kingdom of Bogomil, reflect her inner desires and struggles?
Answer:
Susannah’s dreamscape—the kingdom of Bogomil—is portrayed as a dark, mysterious forest where she can run freely and be entirely herself without external judgment or constraints. This realm symbolizes her deep yearning for freedom, autonomy, and self-definition amid the turmoil she faces in waking life, including her mother’s death and complicated relationships. The dream’s darkness, velvet-soft paths, and absence of conventional light suggest a liminal space between reality and fantasy, reflecting her uncertainty and search for identity. The fact that she can only enter this realm when Bogomil is with her also indicates her dependence on him for guidance and escape, highlighting her vulnerability and desire for connection in a confusing world.2. What role does Bogomil play in Susannah’s understanding of reality and the events surrounding her mother’s death?
Answer:
Bogomil functions as both a guide and a gatekeeper between realms—dream, life, and death. He challenges Susannah’s binary notions of what is real and unreal, suggesting that the boundary is “slippery.” He provides her with crucial information about her mother’s death, clarifying that it was caused by Malo Mogge, and explains the metaphysical consequences of Malo Mogge’s actions, such as losing a key that traps her in the mortal world. Bogomil’s role is to help Susannah navigate these overlapping realities and understand that her experiences and losses are part of a larger, complex narrative. His presence also emphasizes the theme of unseen forces influencing human lives and the difficulty of fully grasping truth.3. Analyze the significance of the “key” or “coin” in the chapter. How does it relate to Susannah’s relationships and the unfolding story?
Answer:
The “key,” initially described as a coin given by Mo, symbolizes a powerful object tied to destiny, connection, and control between characters. It represents the possibility of unity and permanence in Susannah’s relationship with Daniel, as Bogomil had instructed her to pass it on to secure their bond and gain access to his realm. However, Susannah’s failure to give Daniel the coin—due to their breakup and her departure—introduces themes of missed opportunities, trust, and the consequences of inaction. The key’s changing form and its association with Malo Mogge’s power also link it to broader conflicts involving control over life, death, and realms beyond human perception. Thus, the key is a pivotal plot device that drives emotional stakes and metaphysical tension.4. Considering Bogomil’s advice that Susannah “shouldn’t trust anyone at all,” including Laura, what does this suggest about the nature of trust and relationships within the narrative?
Answer:
Bogomil’s warning against trust underscores a pervasive atmosphere of uncertainty, betrayal, and complexity in human (and possibly supernatural) relationships within the narrative. It suggests that appearances can be deceptive and that alliances may be fragile or self-serving. Susannah’s sadness when she agrees she shouldn’t trust even Laura indicates her struggle with isolation and the painful recognition that those closest to her may not be reliable. This theme challenges readers to reflect on the nature of trust in difficult circumstances and the necessity of discernment. It also deepens the story’s tension by implying that Susannah’s path forward is fraught with deception and that she must rely on her own judgment.5. How does the ending scene, where Susannah finds a folded paper with her own handwriting, contribute to the chapter’s themes of memory, identity, and mystery?
Answer:
The discovery of a folded and stapled paper bearing Susannah’s handwriting introduces a tangible mystery that ties into the chapter’s exploration of memory and identity. Throughout the chapter, Susannah grapples with forgotten events, lost memories, and unclear realities, such as not remembering why she feels responsible for others’ deaths or the story involving Malo Mogge. Finding a note in her own handwriting suggests a fragmented self, possibly hinting at messages from her subconscious or a past self trying to communicate. It reinforces the theme of searching for truth amid confusion and hints at secrets yet to be uncovered. This moment effectively bridges the dreamlike and waking worlds, emphasizing the blurred boundaries Susannah navigates.
Quotes
1. “The distinction between real and unreal is more slippery than you think it is.”
This quote captures a central philosophical theme of the chapter, challenging the reader’s understanding of reality through the dialogue between Susannah and Bogomil. It sets the tone for the exploration of dreams, death, and the liminal space between worlds.
2. “This was the kingdom of Bogomil. This was the kingdom he had promised would be hers someday. Here she could be as ferocious and wild or as lazy and solitary as she wished and no one would ever tell her how else she should be.”
This passage beautifully describes the dream realm as a place of freedom and self-determination, representing the promise of autonomy and identity that Bogomil offers Susannah. It highlights a key motif of personal sovereignty within the narrative.
3. “Sometimes there is one who has been involved in Malo Mogge’s affairs. They have come into contact with her key in one of its various forms. These come here upon their death and I make sure no part of them is left trapped in this realm, which is not Death but merely its threshold.”
This quote introduces and defines the concept of the “key” and the role Bogomil plays regarding souls caught between life and death. It is essential for understanding the metaphysical mechanics that underpin the story’s mythos.
4. “I trusted you,” Susannah said. “I thought you were my friend. But I don’t think things would have worked out any better if I’d done what you wanted me to do.”
This moment reveals Susannah’s doubt and disillusionment, marking a turning point in her relationship with Bogomil and underscoring themes of trust, betrayal, and the complexity of choice.
5. “Oh, Susannah,” Bogomil said. “I don’t think you should trust anyone at all.”
This succinct and ominous statement emphasizes the pervasive mistrust in the narrative and serves as a stark warning that resonates with the story’s darker undercurrents about alliances and deception.