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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 2

    by Link, Kelly

    In this chap­ter of *The Book of Carousel 2*, the sto­ry picks up after a mag­i­cal encounter in Mo’s attic, with Carousel and Daniel rid­ing back down from the Cliffs in Mr. Anabin’s car. Susan­nah has retreat­ed to her dark realm, leav­ing Carousel and Daniel to nav­i­gate the after­math of recent events. Their jour­ney includes a stop at the Cliff Hangar, where Daniel is called upon to help a man named Bil­ly, who runs the attrac­tion “What Hast Thou Ground?” and is under a mag­i­cal afflic­tion caused by Malo Mogge. This task empha­sizes Daniel’s grow­ing role in wield­ing mag­ic respon­si­bly and its con­nec­tion to Susannah’s own pow­ers.

    Carousel’s per­spec­tive pro­vides insight into her com­plex feel­ings about the carousel attrac­tion, which she sees as both a rival and a source of mag­ic. Observ­ing the unfold­ing events, she reflects on her own lim­i­ta­tions, espe­cial­ly regard­ing her inabil­i­ty to vis­it Susannah’s realm despite hold­ing most of the key. Mean­while, oth­er char­ac­ters like Lau­ra and Bogomil are engaged in their own strug­gles, with Lau­ra active­ly dis­man­tling Malo Mogge’s tem­ple. The pres­ence of a mys­te­ri­ous boy adds to the intrigue, and Mo’s absence high­lights the need for rest after intense expe­ri­ences.

    The dynam­ic between the char­ac­ters deep­ens dur­ing the car ride home. Carousel bonds with her new gui­tar, dis­cov­er­ing it has a voice and desires trans­for­ma­tion, mir­ror­ing her own uncer­tain­ties about iden­ti­ty and pur­pose. Daniel con­tem­plates his future, con­sid­er­ing state schools and seek­ing a rec­om­men­da­tion from Mr. Anabin, show­ing his ten­ta­tive steps toward embrac­ing his mag­i­cal respon­si­bil­i­ties. Carousel admires Daniel’s efforts to help oth­ers shed their metaphor­i­cal stat­ues, rec­og­niz­ing the courage it takes to explore new abil­i­ties.

    As the night turns to ear­ly morn­ing, the nar­ra­tive clos­es with a qui­et, mag­i­cal moment at home. Lis­sy and Dako­ta pre­pare a spell to extend the snow­fall, and Daniel sup­ports them with warmth and care. Carousel, hold­ing a mys­te­ri­ous pearl gift­ed by a stat­ue lady, choos­es not to reveal it, instead con­tem­plat­ing her own rela­tion­ship with mag­ic and her gui­tar. The chap­ter ends on a hope­ful note, with Carousel ten­ta­tive­ly invok­ing the snow, hint­ing at her grow­ing accep­tance of her mag­i­cal poten­tial and the chal­lenges ahead.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Daniel’s use of magic in this chapter reflect his character development and his role in the story?

      Answer:
      Daniel’s use of magic in this chapter highlights his growing confidence and willingness to help others, marking an important step in his character development. Despite feeling physically uncomfortable in the back seat, he prioritizes others, showing his kindness but also a lack of self-assertion. When Mr. Anabin asks Daniel to undo Malo Mogge’s spell on Billy, Daniel takes on the responsibility, demonstrating his emerging magical abilities. Furthermore, Daniel helps people “step down off pedestals” and stop being statues, symbolizing his role as a facilitator of change and healing. His contemplation of applying to state schools, and asking for a recommendation, indicates he is also navigating his identity beyond magic. Overall, Daniel is portrayed as kind-hearted and magical but still figuring out how to integrate his powers and personal ambitions.

      Answer:
      Carousel’s relationship with her guitar, Harmony, represents a deeper connection to her own identity and magic. The guitar is described as “banged up and scratched,” yet Carousel contemplates personalizing it with stickers, symbolizing her desire for ownership and self-expression. The unique element is that she can talk to the guitar, and it talks back, revealing it wants “to be something other than what I have been.” This dialogue reflects Carousel’s own uncertainty about her future and her role in the magical world. The guitar acts as both a companion and a metaphor for transformation, mirroring Carousel’s journey toward self-discovery and empowerment. This relationship emphasizes the theme of finding one’s voice and the fluid nature of identity.

      Answer:
      The chapter presents varied attitudes toward magic that highlight different approaches and restrictions. Carousel feels a tension between her magical responsibilities and limitations, especially when she notes she is “not supposed to just go around doing magic,” reflecting a cautious or rule-bound perspective. In contrast, Lissy and Dakota actively use magic to influence the weather, wanting to extend the snow and recover lottery tickets, showing a more casual and playful use of magic. Susannah, who has gone to her “dark realm,” represents another dimension of magic, possibly more serious or secretive, as Carousel wishes she could visit but is not allowed. These differences underscore the complexity of magic in the story: it is powerful but regulated, personal yet communal, and can be a source of joy, duty, or mystery depending on the user.

      4. What role does the motif of time play in the chapter, and how does it affect the characters’ experiences?

      Answer:
      Time in this chapter is portrayed as fluid and cyclical, culminating in the moment when “time has wrapped back around itself and now it’s early” despite the late hour. This motif reflects the magical and surreal atmosphere surrounding the characters’ journey. The bending of time allows for a sense of timelessness or otherworldliness, which fits the narrative’s magical context. It also affects the characters practically; for example, Lissy and Dakota are awake and preparing to cast spells while the rest of the house sleeps, showing that the usual rules of time and daily routine are suspended or altered. This fluidity enhances the mystical tone and emphasizes the idea that magic can influence not only physical reality but temporal experience as well.

      5. How does the chapter explore the theme of responsibility versus freedom in the context of magic?

      Answer:
      The theme of responsibility versus freedom is explored through the characters’ differing relationships with magic. Carousel, who is “in charge of the key” but “not allowed” to visit Susannah’s realm, embodies the tension between authority and restriction. She feels the weight of her magical responsibilities yet also expresses a desire to break free from imposed limits, as suggested when she contemplates calling the snow down despite not being supposed to “just go around doing magic.” Daniel’s cautious approach to his powers and his focus on practical goals, like applying to state schools, contrasts with the freer, more spontaneous magic use by Lissy and Dakota. This juxtaposition illustrates the balance between using magic responsibly and embracing its liberating potential, a central conflict the characters must navigate.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Malo Mogge did this,” Mr. Anabin says to Daniel. “You might use your magic to undo it. What magic you do here gives Susannah magic of her own. If you do none, she will, in time, have none.”

      This quote highlights the interconnected nature of magic within the story and establishes Daniel’s responsibility and influence in sustaining Susannah’s power. It underscores a pivotal moment where Daniel’s actions have wider consequences, setting up a key theme of interdependence in the chapter.

      This introspective dialogue between Carousel and her guitar reveals themes of identity and agency, emphasizing Carousel’s uncertainty about her path and the evolving relationship with her magical instrument. It captures a moment of self-reflection and the desire for transformation.

      3. “To be something other than what I have been, the guitar says.”

      The guitar’s response personifies the magic and echoes Carousel’s own yearning for change and growth. This succinct statement encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of transformation and the tension between past and future selves.

      This concluding quote demonstrates Carousel’s emerging assertion of her own power and willingness to challenge restrictions. It signals a turning point where she begins to embrace her magic on her own terms, reflecting the chapter’s themes of self-discovery and empowerment.

    Quotes

    1. “Malo Mogge did this,” Mr. Anabin says to Daniel. “You might use your magic to undo it. What magic you do here gives Susannah magic of her own. If you do none, she will, in time, have none.”

    This quote highlights the interconnected nature of magic within the story and establishes Daniel’s responsibility and influence in sustaining Susannah’s power. It underscores a pivotal moment where Daniel’s actions have wider consequences, setting up a key theme of interdependence in the chapter.

    This introspective dialogue between Carousel and her guitar reveals themes of identity and agency, emphasizing Carousel’s uncertainty about her path and the evolving relationship with her magical instrument. It captures a moment of self-reflection and the desire for transformation.

    3. “To be something other than what I have been, the guitar says.”

    The guitar’s response personifies the magic and echoes Carousel’s own yearning for change and growth. This succinct statement encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of transformation and the tension between past and future selves.

    This concluding quote demonstrates Carousel’s emerging assertion of her own power and willingness to challenge restrictions. It signals a turning point where she begins to embrace her magic on her own terms, reflecting the chapter’s themes of self-discovery and empowerment.

    FAQs

    1. How does Daniel’s use of magic in this chapter reflect his character development and his role in the story?

    Answer:
    Daniel’s use of magic in this chapter highlights his growing confidence and willingness to help others, marking an important step in his character development. Despite feeling physically uncomfortable in the back seat, he prioritizes others, showing his kindness but also a lack of self-assertion. When Mr. Anabin asks Daniel to undo Malo Mogge’s spell on Billy, Daniel takes on the responsibility, demonstrating his emerging magical abilities. Furthermore, Daniel helps people “step down off pedestals” and stop being statues, symbolizing his role as a facilitator of change and healing. His contemplation of applying to state schools, and asking for a recommendation, indicates he is also navigating his identity beyond magic. Overall, Daniel is portrayed as kind-hearted and magical but still figuring out how to integrate his powers and personal ambitions.

    Answer:
    Carousel’s relationship with her guitar, Harmony, represents a deeper connection to her own identity and magic. The guitar is described as “banged up and scratched,” yet Carousel contemplates personalizing it with stickers, symbolizing her desire for ownership and self-expression. The unique element is that she can talk to the guitar, and it talks back, revealing it wants “to be something other than what I have been.” This dialogue reflects Carousel’s own uncertainty about her future and her role in the magical world. The guitar acts as both a companion and a metaphor for transformation, mirroring Carousel’s journey toward self-discovery and empowerment. This relationship emphasizes the theme of finding one’s voice and the fluid nature of identity.

    Answer:
    The chapter presents varied attitudes toward magic that highlight different approaches and restrictions. Carousel feels a tension between her magical responsibilities and limitations, especially when she notes she is “not supposed to just go around doing magic,” reflecting a cautious or rule-bound perspective. In contrast, Lissy and Dakota actively use magic to influence the weather, wanting to extend the snow and recover lottery tickets, showing a more casual and playful use of magic. Susannah, who has gone to her “dark realm,” represents another dimension of magic, possibly more serious or secretive, as Carousel wishes she could visit but is not allowed. These differences underscore the complexity of magic in the story: it is powerful but regulated, personal yet communal, and can be a source of joy, duty, or mystery depending on the user.

    4. What role does the motif of time play in the chapter, and how does it affect the characters’ experiences?

    Answer:
    Time in this chapter is portrayed as fluid and cyclical, culminating in the moment when “time has wrapped back around itself and now it’s early” despite the late hour. This motif reflects the magical and surreal atmosphere surrounding the characters’ journey. The bending of time allows for a sense of timelessness or otherworldliness, which fits the narrative’s magical context. It also affects the characters practically; for example, Lissy and Dakota are awake and preparing to cast spells while the rest of the house sleeps, showing that the usual rules of time and daily routine are suspended or altered. This fluidity enhances the mystical tone and emphasizes the idea that magic can influence not only physical reality but temporal experience as well.

    5. How does the chapter explore the theme of responsibility versus freedom in the context of magic?

    Answer:
    The theme of responsibility versus freedom is explored through the characters’ differing relationships with magic. Carousel, who is “in charge of the key” but “not allowed” to visit Susannah’s realm, embodies the tension between authority and restriction. She feels the weight of her magical responsibilities yet also expresses a desire to break free from imposed limits, as suggested when she contemplates calling the snow down despite not being supposed to “just go around doing magic.” Daniel’s cautious approach to his powers and his focus on practical goals, like applying to state schools, contrasts with the freer, more spontaneous magic use by Lissy and Dakota. This juxtaposition illustrates the balance between using magic responsibly and embracing its liberating potential, a central conflict the characters must navigate.

    Note