The Book of Love
The Book of Daniel 10
by Link, KellyThe chapter opens with a vivid scene of the Lucklow family enduring a chaotic snow day, highlighting Daniel’s shift in priorities as he prepares comfort food and settles his siblings with television while dealing with a flood of urgent messages from Laura. Laura informs Daniel that Susannah, their mutual acquaintance, has abruptly left after a fight and a troubling encounter with Bogomil, a mysterious figure who has been influencing their lives. The tension between Laura’s attempts to manage Susannah’s mental state and Daniel’s resistance to interference sets a conflicted tone, emphasizing the complex dynamics among the characters and the lingering impact of past events they are struggling to understand.
Daniel’s attempt to locate Susannah leads to an unexpected confrontation with Bogomil, who manifests as a white cat and speaks with unsettling familiarity and authority. Bogomil criticizes Daniel’s refusal to engage with magic—the very force that restored his life—and warns of the dangers of ignoring it. This interaction reveals a deeper magical reality underpinning the characters’ existence, where magic is portrayed as a volatile, living force requiring mastery. Daniel’s reluctance to embrace this power reflects his desire for normalcy and control, contrasting with Bogomil’s insistent push for acceptance and adaptation to their new magical circumstances.
Bogomil’s knowledge of Daniel’s past and personal struggles is strikingly detailed, exposing Daniel’s vulnerabilities and ambitions. The cat recounts Daniel’s family hardships, financial worries, and his pragmatic plans for the future, including his scholarship and attempts to support his family. This intimate knowledge serves to unsettle Daniel, challenging his self-perception and forcing him to confront the reality of his situation. Bogomil’s cryptic and somewhat mocking demeanor underscores the tension between the mundane and the mystical, and the profound changes Daniel must reckon with as he navigates his transformed existence.
The chapter closes on a surreal note as Bogomil begins swallowing itself, a bizarre and magical act that symbolizes the enigmatic and fluid nature of the magical realm Daniel is entangled with. This imagery reinforces the chapter’s themes of transformation, the unpredictable consequences of magic, and the blurred boundaries between life, death, and power. Overall, the chapter blends domestic realism with supernatural elements, advancing the plot through character interactions and setting the stage for Daniel’s internal and external conflicts surrounding magic and responsibility.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter portray the relationship dynamics between Daniel, Laura, and Susannah, particularly in the context of Susannah’s memory and emotional state?
Answer:
The chapter reveals a complex and strained dynamic between Daniel, Laura, and Susannah. Laura and Susannah have frequent conflicts, as shown when Laura admits to having a fight with Susannah that triggered Susannah’s memory of being dead. Laura’s attempt to “make her forget” certain things by telling her to do laundry suggests a complicated approach to managing Susannah’s fragile mental state. Daniel disapproves of this manipulation, emphasizing that interfering with Susannah’s memories is harmful rather than helpful. This tension highlights the characters’ struggles to cope with trauma and the ethical dilemmas they face about memory and emotional well-being.2. What role does Bogomil play in this chapter, and how does his interaction with Daniel reveal key themes about magic and responsibility?
Answer:
Bogomil appears as a mysterious, somewhat ominous figure who speaks directly into Daniel’s mind, symbolized by the white cat. He confronts Daniel about his refusal to engage with magic despite being made of it. Bogomil’s explanation that magic is volatile and must be learned and controlled introduces a central theme: magic is not merely a power but a responsibility that requires understanding and practice. His critique of Daniel’s avoidance and his warning about the dangers of unused magic underscore the tension between power and control. This dialogue challenges Daniel’s desire to remain uninvolved and raises questions about destiny, agency, and the costs of denial.3. How does the chapter use the metaphor of Tupperware to describe Daniel’s relationship with magic, and what does this metaphor suggest about his character and choices?
Answer:
The metaphor of Tupperware is used by Daniel to express his resistance to engaging with magic. He imagines himself as a container holding magic inside, implying a desire to keep it sealed and unused. This metaphor suggests that Daniel views magic as something to be contained and controlled passively rather than actively manipulated. It reveals his reluctance and fear of the potential chaos magic could bring if mishandled. This reflects his cautious, perhaps pragmatic nature and his wish to maintain normalcy despite extraordinary circumstances. The metaphor also highlights the tension between containment and the dynamic, uncontrollable nature of magic as described by Bogomil.4. In what ways does the chapter explore the theme of personal sacrifice and ambition through Daniel’s backstory as revealed by Bogomil?
Answer:
Bogomil’s recounting of Daniel’s past reveals a narrative of personal sacrifice and ambition. Daniel’s father’s death left the family in financial hardship, motivating Daniel to plan a future where he could support his family through education and career success. His early acceptance to the University of Pennsylvania on a full ride and his efforts to save money through lottery tickets show his determination and hope. However, Bogomil’s sarcastic tone about Daniel’s “head for business” and the futility of his lottery spending also introduces a sense of irony and doubt about the success of these plans. This backstory deepens Daniel’s character, illustrating his burdens and the weight of responsibility he carries, which complicate his current reluctance to embrace magic.5. What implications does the chapter suggest about memory, trauma, and control through the characters’ interactions and the plot developments?
Answer:
The chapter suggests that memory and trauma are deeply intertwined and difficult to manage. Susannah’s sudden recollection of being dead triggers distress and prompts Laura to try manipulating her memories, which Daniel criticizes as dangerous. Laura’s fear that others, like Ethan, might also regain traumatic memories raises concerns about the fragility of their mental states and the ethical boundaries of controlling memory. The tension between wanting to protect loved ones from painful truths and the risk of causing more harm by suppressing or altering memories is a key issue. This theme is emphasized by the characters’ struggles to maintain control over their realities and the consequences of failing to do so.
Quotes
1. “Magic brought you back, and magic gave you a shape. A body to inhabit. If you’ve been made of magic, have magic inside you, you must learn a thing or two about it. Learn how to use it, to manipulate it. You can’t just hold magic inside you like you’re a piece of Tupperware. Magic is volatile. It ebbs. It expands. It spoils. Sooner or later, magic unused, unregulated, will overwhelm you and then you’ll just explode or shrivel away, melt into goo or become a shower of pennies or expired condoms.”
This quote is a central thematic insight of the chapter, explaining the nature of magic as a living, unstable force that demands understanding and control. It captures the tension between Daniel’s reluctance and the inevitability of engaging with magic, framing the stakes of his situation.
2. “No! We don’t! We shouldn’t be doing stuff like that. You’re not fixing Susannah, you’re just messing with her. Did you even ask her what Bogomil was doing there?”
This passage highlights Daniel’s moral stance against manipulating others’ memories or emotions for convenience or control. It underscores the ethical complexity surrounding the use of power and intervention in this narrative, marking a key interpersonal conflict.
3. “What did you want when you were alive?… Your father’s untimely death left your poor mother in terrible debt… You came up with a plan when you were fourteen. You would get a scholarship to the best college you could and then go to business school… So noble, Daniel!… Are you really sure you have a head for business?”
Here, Bogomil exposes Daniel’s personal history and motivations with a mix of blunt honesty and sardonic commentary. This moment deepens character development and reveals the protagonist’s internal struggles and aspirations, connecting his past ambitions to his present challenges.
4. “I want you to leave me alone. I want you to leave my family alone, and I want you to leave Susannah and Laura and Mo alone, too.”
This succinct declaration from Daniel reveals his desire for peace and protection for his loved ones amid supernatural turmoil. It epitomizes his resistance to entanglement with magical forces and his prioritization of family safety over power or knowledge.
5. “Of course I’ve been watching you… You’re a very boring individual. But even if I hadn’t been watching you, I would know you weren’t using magic. The state of you is shocking.”
This quote introduces Bogomil’s watchful, somewhat mocking presence and sets the tone for his role as an observer and provocateur. It also reflects on Daniel’s current condition, reinforcing the theme of neglecting the necessary engagement with magic and its consequences.