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    The Book of Love

    by Link, Kelly
    Set in the coastal town of Lovesend, Massachusetts, Kelly Link’s “The Book of Love” follows three teenagers who mysteriously return from the dead. They must navigate magical challenges to secure their continued existence. The novel explores themes of love in its many forms—romantic, familial, and platonic—alongside grief, identity, and resilience, blending magical realism with coming-of-age drama.
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    The Book of Love

    The Book of Carousel 1

    by Link, Kelly

    The chap­ter opens with Carousel reflect­ing on the unex­pect­ed events mark­ing the final hour of her life. She and her fam­i­ly had just dis­cov­ered that their Monop­oly game end­ed sud­den­ly when scratch-off tick­ets, giv­en by Daniel, revealed large cash prizes for every­one. While this wind­fall was excit­ing, Carousel felt a lin­ger­ing dis­ap­point­ment that her chance to win the game had been cut short. Seek­ing soli­tude from the chaos of her family’s cel­e­bra­tion, she retreats to her shared room, where she encoun­ters a mys­te­ri­ous man named Bogomil, who imme­di­ate­ly dis­rupts her sense of nor­mal­cy by reveal­ing unset­tling truths about her exis­tence.

    Bogomil explains to Carousel that she is not tru­ly “real” but a mag­i­cal cre­ation tied to her broth­er Daniel, who must now “unmake” her to reclaim the mag­ic sus­tain­ing her. This rev­e­la­tion is both con­fus­ing and frus­trat­ing to Carousel, who strug­gles to accept the idea that her exis­tence is con­di­tion­al and threat­ened. Bogomil empha­sizes that the mag­ic Carousel pos­sess­es is bor­rowed from Daniel’s new body, and if Daniel fol­lows through with his task, Carousel will cease to exist and be for­got­ten. How­ev­er, she has an alter­na­tive: she can take the mag­ic from Daniel instead, pre­serv­ing her­self but doom­ing him.

    Carousel is ini­tial­ly resis­tant to Bogomil’s propo­si­tion, reject­ing the notion of harm­ing Daniel and ques­tion­ing how she would even accom­plish such a feat. Bogomil elab­o­rates on the nature of mag­ic, describ­ing it as a force that can become the source of one’s will and iden­ti­ty. He sug­gests that Carousel’s mag­i­cal nature allows her to trans­form and shape her­self freely, a pow­er Daniel no longer uses. Despite the temp­ta­tion and poten­tial of this mag­ic, Carousel remains con­flict­ed, wary of Bogomil’s motives and deter­mined not to betray her broth­er or fam­i­ly.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Carousel grap­pling with the heavy choice before her: to pre­serve her own exis­tence by tak­ing Daniel’s mag­ic or to sac­ri­fice her­self for the sake of her broth­er and fam­i­ly. Bogomil admits his per­son­al dis­like for Daniel and urges Carousel to decide quick­ly, warn­ing her of the con­se­quences. Carousel’s inter­nal strug­gle high­lights themes of iden­ti­ty, sac­ri­fice, and the com­plex bonds of fam­i­ly, set­ting the stage for dif­fi­cult deci­sions that will define her fate and that of those she loves.

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    FAQs

    • Answer:
      Carousel’s last hour is marked by several significant surprises. First, she discovers that the scratch-off tickets given by Daniel are valuable, making everyone instant winners and abruptly ending their Monopoly game. This surprising windfall contrasts with her own unfulfilled desire to win the game. The second surprise is the presence of Bogomil, a mysterious man who enters her room uninvited and reveals critical information about her and Daniel’s magical nature. The most impactful surprise is learning that Daniel must “unmake” her by reclaiming the magic that sustains her existence, or else he will die again, and she will cease to exist and be forgotten. These revelations challenge Carousel’s understanding of reality, magic, and her relationship with Daniel, forcing her to confront difficult choices about survival and loyalty.

      Answer:
      Bogomil explains that both Carousel and Daniel share a finite source of magic—Daniel’s new body was created with it, and Carousel’s existence depends on borrowing from this magic. Daniel has been commanded by an entity called Anabin to reclaim this magic by “unmaking” Carousel, which would erase her existence completely. However, Carousel has the option to take Daniel’s magic instead, thereby preserving herself but causing Daniel’s disappearance and erasure. This creates a profound dilemma: Carousel must choose between preserving her own existence by effectively sacrificing Daniel, or allowing Daniel to live at the cost of her own unmaking. This conflict highlights themes of self-preservation, sacrifice, and the complex bonds of family.

      Answer:
      Carousel’s interaction with Bogomil reveals her resilience, skepticism, and protective feelings toward her family. Despite Bogomil’s unsettling intrusion and the gravity of his revelations, she remains defiant, refusing to be bossed around or intimidated. She challenges Bogomil’s assertions and questions his motives, showing critical thinking and wariness. Carousel is also clearly loyal to Daniel, rejecting the idea of harming him even when faced with the threat of her own erasure. Her curiosity about magic, such as imagining becoming an anteater, indicates a playful yet cautious openness to the mystical. Overall, Carousel balances a grounded sense of reality with an emerging awareness of her magical nature, underscored by a strong familial bond.

      Answer:
      Bogomil’s statement that Carousel is “already more real than many I have met” serves to affirm her existence and value despite the magical and ephemeral nature of her being. It contrasts sharply with Carousel’s own doubts about her reality, as she questions whether she is “real” or merely a construct that can be erased without consequence. This contrast highlights a central theme of the chapter: the nature of existence and what it means to be “real.” Bogomil’s long experience and perspective give weight to his assessment, suggesting that reality is not solely defined by physical permanence but also by presence, impact, and individuality. This challenges Carousel to reconsider her self-worth and the meaning of her existence beyond the magical mechanics that sustain her.

      Answer:
      Carousel can apply Bogomil’s knowledge by carefully weighing the consequences of taking Daniel’s magic versus surrendering her own. Understanding that magic sustains her existence and that Daniel’s life depends on reclaiming it, she faces a strategic and ethical decision. She might seek alternative solutions that preserve both their lives, explore ways to increase the magic available, or negotiate with the forces controlling their fate. Carousel’s awareness of her magical potential and the power of will suggests she could develop her abilities to shape reality more independently. Applying critical thinking, empathy, and creativity, she could attempt to rewrite the narrative imposed by Anabin and Bogomil, balancing self-preservation with familial loyalty and perhaps discovering new paths beyond the binary choice presented.

    Quotes

    • This opening reflection sets the tone for the chapter by highlighting Carousel’s encounter with unexpected realities, blending the familiar with the fantastical. It introduces the theme of magic as a real and impactful force in her life, shifting her worldview.

      2. “You realize, don’t you, that his task is now to unmake you. If he does as Anabin commands, he will undo the magic you are made of. Then you will no longer exist, and no one will even remember that you did.”

      This quote reveals the central conflict and stakes for Carousel: her very existence is threatened by her brother Daniel under the command of a mysterious authority. It emphasizes themes of identity, memory, and the fragility of being.

      Here, Bogomil explains the nature of magic as an active, almost sentient force that demands engagement. This insight challenges Carousel to reconsider her role and power, underscoring the chapter’s exploration of agency and choice.

      4. “I have been alive for a very long time, longer than you can imagine, and although you have been what you are for only a handful of days, you are already more real than many I have met.”

      This powerful compliment from Bogomil elevates Carousel’s status despite her doubts about her own reality. It serves as a pivotal moment affirming her significance and the authenticity of her existence beyond conventional definitions.

      5. “You want me to get rid of Daniel for you. Why?”

      This direct and skeptical question from Carousel captures her suspicion and moral dilemma, reflecting her resistance to Bogomil’s agenda. It encapsulates the chapter’s tension between trust, betrayal, and the difficult choices she faces.

    Quotes

    This opening reflection sets the tone for the chapter by highlighting Carousel’s encounter with unexpected realities, blending the familiar with the fantastical. It introduces the theme of magic as a real and impactful force in her life, shifting her worldview.

    2. “You realize, don’t you, that his task is now to unmake you. If he does as Anabin commands, he will undo the magic you are made of. Then you will no longer exist, and no one will even remember that you did.”

    This quote reveals the central conflict and stakes for Carousel: her very existence is threatened by her brother Daniel under the command of a mysterious authority. It emphasizes themes of identity, memory, and the fragility of being.

    Here, Bogomil explains the nature of magic as an active, almost sentient force that demands engagement. This insight challenges Carousel to reconsider her role and power, underscoring the chapter’s exploration of agency and choice.

    4. “I have been alive for a very long time, longer than you can imagine, and although you have been what you are for only a handful of days, you are already more real than many I have met.”

    This powerful compliment from Bogomil elevates Carousel’s status despite her doubts about her own reality. It serves as a pivotal moment affirming her significance and the authenticity of her existence beyond conventional definitions.

    5. “You want me to get rid of Daniel for you. Why?”

    This direct and skeptical question from Carousel captures her suspicion and moral dilemma, reflecting her resistance to Bogomil’s agenda. It encapsulates the chapter’s tension between trust, betrayal, and the difficult choices she faces.

    FAQs

    Answer:
    Carousel’s last hour is marked by several significant surprises. First, she discovers that the scratch-off tickets given by Daniel are valuable, making everyone instant winners and abruptly ending their Monopoly game. This surprising windfall contrasts with her own unfulfilled desire to win the game. The second surprise is the presence of Bogomil, a mysterious man who enters her room uninvited and reveals critical information about her and Daniel’s magical nature. The most impactful surprise is learning that Daniel must “unmake” her by reclaiming the magic that sustains her existence, or else he will die again, and she will cease to exist and be forgotten. These revelations challenge Carousel’s understanding of reality, magic, and her relationship with Daniel, forcing her to confront difficult choices about survival and loyalty.

    Answer:
    Bogomil explains that both Carousel and Daniel share a finite source of magic—Daniel’s new body was created with it, and Carousel’s existence depends on borrowing from this magic. Daniel has been commanded by an entity called Anabin to reclaim this magic by “unmaking” Carousel, which would erase her existence completely. However, Carousel has the option to take Daniel’s magic instead, thereby preserving herself but causing Daniel’s disappearance and erasure. This creates a profound dilemma: Carousel must choose between preserving her own existence by effectively sacrificing Daniel, or allowing Daniel to live at the cost of her own unmaking. This conflict highlights themes of self-preservation, sacrifice, and the complex bonds of family.

    Answer:
    Carousel’s interaction with Bogomil reveals her resilience, skepticism, and protective feelings toward her family. Despite Bogomil’s unsettling intrusion and the gravity of his revelations, she remains defiant, refusing to be bossed around or intimidated. She challenges Bogomil’s assertions and questions his motives, showing critical thinking and wariness. Carousel is also clearly loyal to Daniel, rejecting the idea of harming him even when faced with the threat of her own erasure. Her curiosity about magic, such as imagining becoming an anteater, indicates a playful yet cautious openness to the mystical. Overall, Carousel balances a grounded sense of reality with an emerging awareness of her magical nature, underscored by a strong familial bond.

    Answer:
    Bogomil’s statement that Carousel is “already more real than many I have met” serves to affirm her existence and value despite the magical and ephemeral nature of her being. It contrasts sharply with Carousel’s own doubts about her reality, as she questions whether she is “real” or merely a construct that can be erased without consequence. This contrast highlights a central theme of the chapter: the nature of existence and what it means to be “real.” Bogomil’s long experience and perspective give weight to his assessment, suggesting that reality is not solely defined by physical permanence but also by presence, impact, and individuality. This challenges Carousel to reconsider her self-worth and the meaning of her existence beyond the magical mechanics that sustain her.

    Answer:
    Carousel can apply Bogomil’s knowledge by carefully weighing the consequences of taking Daniel’s magic versus surrendering her own. Understanding that magic sustains her existence and that Daniel’s life depends on reclaiming it, she faces a strategic and ethical decision. She might seek alternative solutions that preserve both their lives, explore ways to increase the magic available, or negotiate with the forces controlling their fate. Carousel’s awareness of her magical potential and the power of will suggests she could develop her abilities to shape reality more independently. Applying critical thinking, empathy, and creativity, she could attempt to rewrite the narrative imposed by Anabin and Bogomil, balancing self-preservation with familial loyalty and perhaps discovering new paths beyond the binary choice presented.

    Note