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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 Laura 4

    by Link, Kelly

    In Lovesend, bicy­cles are a uni­ver­sal mode of trans­porta­tion, sym­bol­iz­ing both com­mu­ni­ty and class dis­tinc­tions, with even the wealth­i­est opt­ing for high-end or elec­tric bikes. Lau­ra, reflect­ing on her life and aspi­ra­tions, envies the free­dom wealth might bring and dreams of a future unbound by the town’s cycling cul­ture. Her cur­rent bike, neglect­ed and flat, serves as a metaphor for her stalled progress and the com­pli­cat­ed dynam­ics with her sis­ter Susan­nah, who has been using it amid her own strug­gles. Laura’s feel­ings of frus­tra­tion and unfair­ness under­score her ongo­ing emo­tion­al tur­moil.

    Lau­ra and Daniel set out on a chal­leng­ing bike ride to the Cliff Hangar, a local social spot perched on a promon­to­ry. Their route, the steep and direct Cliff Road, sym­bol­izes the dif­fi­cult path Lau­ra is nav­i­gat­ing in her per­son­al life. Their con­ver­sa­tion reveals ten­sion and unre­solved feel­ings, par­tic­u­lar­ly regard­ing Susan­nah, whose mood and actions weigh heav­i­ly on Lau­ra. Amid the phys­i­cal exer­tion, Lau­ra can­did­ly comes out to Daniel, prompt­ing a brief, awk­ward exchange that hints at their com­plex rela­tion­ship and the pro­tec­tive facades they main­tain for Susannah’s sake.

    As the ride con­tin­ues, Lau­ra’s thoughts shift to her estranged father, who has unex­pect­ed­ly reen­tered her life. His absence since her child­hood and spo­radic attempts at con­tact have left a lega­cy of mixed emotions—resentment, long­ing, and cau­tious hope. Their recent reunion was sur­pris­ing­ly easy and filled with gen­uine attempts at con­nec­tion, though Lau­ra remains guard­ed. The father’s return rais­es ques­tions about his motives and tim­ing, espe­cial­ly in light of Laura’s recent death and the ongo­ing search for her, adding anoth­er lay­er of com­plex­i­ty to her sense of iden­ti­ty and fam­i­ly.

    Through­out the chap­ter, Lau­ra grap­ples with the ten­sion between past and present, real­i­ty and mem­o­ry. Her inter­ac­tions, both on the bike ride and with her father, illus­trate her strug­gle to rec­on­cile the life she has lived with the life she imag­ines. The phys­i­cal chal­lenge of the Cliff Road mir­rors her emo­tion­al journey—arduous, uncer­tain, yet marked by moments of clar­i­ty and ten­ta­tive hope. The chap­ter ends on an intro­spec­tive note, empha­siz­ing Laura’s nuanced under­stand­ing of her rela­tion­ships and the uncer­tain future she faces.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does the setting of Lovesend and its culture around biking reflect the social and economic atmosphere in Laura’s world?

      Answer:
      Lovesend is portrayed as a community where biking is ubiquitous, with “everyone over the age of two” owning a bike. Even the wealthy residents on the Cliffs prefer fancy bikes over cars, indicating a local culture that values biking as a primary mode of transport regardless of economic status. The presence of bike lanes, rail trails, and discussions about high-end bike components like Campagnolo versus Shimano groupsets further highlight the town’s deep engagement with cycling. This setting reflects a socially close-knit and environmentally conscious atmosphere, contrasting with Laura’s desire for a different, perhaps more conventional or car-oriented lifestyle. The culture around biking also symbolizes a sense of community uniformity and possibly limits personal freedom, which Laura resents.

      2. Analyze Laura’s complex feelings toward Susannah and how these feelings influence their interactions in the chapter.

      Answer:
      Laura’s relationship with Susannah is marked by a mixture of frustration, resentment, and reluctant care. Laura suspects Susannah has been using her bike, which has two flat tires, and she openly calls Susannah a “morose bitch,” revealing irritation. However, she also acknowledges Susannah’s negligence in chaining up her own bike and somewhat begrudgingly credits her for chaining up Laura’s bike, indicating a nuanced dynamic that includes both blame and understanding. Laura’s sense of fairness is diminished, partly because of her death and the circumstances surrounding it, which adds emotional complexity to their bond. This tension influences their interactions through Laura’s sarcastic and defensive tone, especially when discussing Susannah with Daniel, showing how familial grief and unresolved emotions complicate their relationship.

      3. What role does Laura’s coming out as gay play in her conversation with Daniel, and how does it affect their proposed plan to handle Susannah?

      Answer:
      Laura’s coming out is a pivotal moment in her conversation with Daniel, serving both as a personal revelation and as a strategic move. When Laura states, “I’m gay,” Daniel’s reaction is casual and nonjudgmental, suggesting a level of comfort and acceptance between them. This disclosure allows Laura to dismiss any romantic implications of their previous kiss and opens the door for a pragmatic alliance: pretending to be a couple to keep Susannah “out of everything.” This plan reflects Laura’s tactical thinking, using their supposed relationship as a shield to manage Susannah’s suspicions. The coming out thus functions not only as a moment of self-assertion but also as a tool for navigating complex interpersonal dynamics within their shared social circle.

      4. Discuss the significance of Laura’s reflections on her father’s return and how it reveals her internal conflict.

      Answer:
      Laura’s reflections on her father’s return reveal deep emotional ambivalence and unresolved feelings. Having grown used to his absence since he left when she was six, Laura is surprised by how easily she reconnects with him despite years of neglect. Her thoughts reveal a conflict between resentment—rooted in abandonment and painful memories—and a desire for reconciliation, as she acknowledges his genuine care and remorse. The father’s backstory, including his travels and career, contrasts with his failure to maintain contact, adding layers to Laura’s conflicted perception. This internal struggle highlights themes of forgiveness, identity, and the complexities of familial relationships, emphasizing that healing is possible but fraught with doubt and emotional barriers.

      5. How does the chapter use the physical challenge of biking up Cliff Road as a metaphor for Laura’s emotional and psychological struggles?

      Answer:
      The arduous climb up Cliff Road serves as a metaphor for Laura’s internal battles. The physical exertion—described as “horrible,” making her calves feel like “little hard knots”—parallels her emotional fatigue and tension stemming from her death, family dynamics, and unresolved past. Just as the climb is steep and demanding, Laura’s psychological journey involves confronting difficult truths about her relationships, identity, and loss. The comparison to death, which she notes is “almost worse than being dead,” underscores the intensity of her struggle. This metaphor enriches the narrative by linking Laura’s physical experience to her emotional state, illustrating how external challenges reflect and intensify internal conflicts.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Everyone in Lovesend over the age of two had a bike. Even the people who lived up on the Cliffs who could afford to buy their children cars when they turned sixteen. The rich people just bought fancy bikes to go with their fancy houses.”

      This quote sets the scene of Lovesend’s unique culture and social fabric, highlighting the ubiquity of bikes as a symbol of community identity and subtle class distinctions. It frames Laura’s longing for a different life and underscores the setting’s importance early in the chapter.

      2. “Every time there was a party up on the Cliffs, Laura had thought of graduation and her better, more interesting future adult life in which she would never have to do anything she didn’t want to do.”

      This passage captures Laura’s youthful aspirations and desire for autonomy, reflecting a key theme of the chapter: the tension between the constraints of her current life and the possibilities she imagines for her future.

      3. “‘You kissed me before we died. That was to make Susannah mad, right? Or do you like me?’ … ‘Ew,’ Laura said. ‘No.’ … Laura said, ‘I’m gay.’ … Daniel said, ‘Okay. I kind of wondered.’”

      This exchange reveals character dynamics and personal truths, marking a moment of honesty and humor amidst the tension of their situation. It also touches on identity and interpersonal relationships, which are central to the narrative.

      4. “It troubled her how easy it had been to sit in a booth across from him at Thai Super Delight and talk about school and Susannah and music and all the things that had not belonged to her when she had been dead.”

      This quote poignantly illustrates Laura’s complex feelings about her father’s return—combining estrangement, unresolved emotions, and the surreal nature of reconnecting after trauma. It highlights the chapter’s exploration of family, loss, and reconciliation.

      5. “All these years, she’d missed her father and hated him and now here he was and he wasn’t awful at all. He cared about her. He was sorry. He was going to try to make it up to her. So maybe she would let him try.”

      This is a powerful moment of internal conflict and tentative hope, emphasizing themes of forgiveness and the possibility of healing fractured relationships. It signals a turning point in Laura’s emotional journey within the chapter.

    Quotes

    1. “Everyone in Lovesend over the age of two had a bike. Even the people who lived up on the Cliffs who could afford to buy their children cars when they turned sixteen. The rich people just bought fancy bikes to go with their fancy houses.”

    This quote sets the scene of Lovesend’s unique culture and social fabric, highlighting the ubiquity of bikes as a symbol of community identity and subtle class distinctions. It frames Laura’s longing for a different life and underscores the setting’s importance early in the chapter.

    2. “Every time there was a party up on the Cliffs, Laura had thought of graduation and her better, more interesting future adult life in which she would never have to do anything she didn’t want to do.”

    This passage captures Laura’s youthful aspirations and desire for autonomy, reflecting a key theme of the chapter: the tension between the constraints of her current life and the possibilities she imagines for her future.

    3. “‘You kissed me before we died. That was to make Susannah mad, right? Or do you like me?’ … ‘Ew,’ Laura said. ‘No.’ … Laura said, ‘I’m gay.’ … Daniel said, ‘Okay. I kind of wondered.’”

    This exchange reveals character dynamics and personal truths, marking a moment of honesty and humor amidst the tension of their situation. It also touches on identity and interpersonal relationships, which are central to the narrative.

    4. “It troubled her how easy it had been to sit in a booth across from him at Thai Super Delight and talk about school and Susannah and music and all the things that had not belonged to her when she had been dead.”

    This quote poignantly illustrates Laura’s complex feelings about her father’s return—combining estrangement, unresolved emotions, and the surreal nature of reconnecting after trauma. It highlights the chapter’s exploration of family, loss, and reconciliation.

    5. “All these years, she’d missed her father and hated him and now here he was and he wasn’t awful at all. He cared about her. He was sorry. He was going to try to make it up to her. So maybe she would let him try.”

    This is a powerful moment of internal conflict and tentative hope, emphasizing themes of forgiveness and the possibility of healing fractured relationships. It signals a turning point in Laura’s emotional journey within the chapter.

    FAQs

    1. How does the setting of Lovesend and its culture around biking reflect the social and economic atmosphere in Laura’s world?

    Answer:
    Lovesend is portrayed as a community where biking is ubiquitous, with “everyone over the age of two” owning a bike. Even the wealthy residents on the Cliffs prefer fancy bikes over cars, indicating a local culture that values biking as a primary mode of transport regardless of economic status. The presence of bike lanes, rail trails, and discussions about high-end bike components like Campagnolo versus Shimano groupsets further highlight the town’s deep engagement with cycling. This setting reflects a socially close-knit and environmentally conscious atmosphere, contrasting with Laura’s desire for a different, perhaps more conventional or car-oriented lifestyle. The culture around biking also symbolizes a sense of community uniformity and possibly limits personal freedom, which Laura resents.

    2. Analyze Laura’s complex feelings toward Susannah and how these feelings influence their interactions in the chapter.

    Answer:
    Laura’s relationship with Susannah is marked by a mixture of frustration, resentment, and reluctant care. Laura suspects Susannah has been using her bike, which has two flat tires, and she openly calls Susannah a “morose bitch,” revealing irritation. However, she also acknowledges Susannah’s negligence in chaining up her own bike and somewhat begrudgingly credits her for chaining up Laura’s bike, indicating a nuanced dynamic that includes both blame and understanding. Laura’s sense of fairness is diminished, partly because of her death and the circumstances surrounding it, which adds emotional complexity to their bond. This tension influences their interactions through Laura’s sarcastic and defensive tone, especially when discussing Susannah with Daniel, showing how familial grief and unresolved emotions complicate their relationship.

    3. What role does Laura’s coming out as gay play in her conversation with Daniel, and how does it affect their proposed plan to handle Susannah?

    Answer:
    Laura’s coming out is a pivotal moment in her conversation with Daniel, serving both as a personal revelation and as a strategic move. When Laura states, “I’m gay,” Daniel’s reaction is casual and nonjudgmental, suggesting a level of comfort and acceptance between them. This disclosure allows Laura to dismiss any romantic implications of their previous kiss and opens the door for a pragmatic alliance: pretending to be a couple to keep Susannah “out of everything.” This plan reflects Laura’s tactical thinking, using their supposed relationship as a shield to manage Susannah’s suspicions. The coming out thus functions not only as a moment of self-assertion but also as a tool for navigating complex interpersonal dynamics within their shared social circle.

    4. Discuss the significance of Laura’s reflections on her father’s return and how it reveals her internal conflict.

    Answer:
    Laura’s reflections on her father’s return reveal deep emotional ambivalence and unresolved feelings. Having grown used to his absence since he left when she was six, Laura is surprised by how easily she reconnects with him despite years of neglect. Her thoughts reveal a conflict between resentment—rooted in abandonment and painful memories—and a desire for reconciliation, as she acknowledges his genuine care and remorse. The father’s backstory, including his travels and career, contrasts with his failure to maintain contact, adding layers to Laura’s conflicted perception. This internal struggle highlights themes of forgiveness, identity, and the complexities of familial relationships, emphasizing that healing is possible but fraught with doubt and emotional barriers.

    5. How does the chapter use the physical challenge of biking up Cliff Road as a metaphor for Laura’s emotional and psychological struggles?

    Answer:
    The arduous climb up Cliff Road serves as a metaphor for Laura’s internal battles. The physical exertion—described as “horrible,” making her calves feel like “little hard knots”—parallels her emotional fatigue and tension stemming from her death, family dynamics, and unresolved past. Just as the climb is steep and demanding, Laura’s psychological journey involves confronting difficult truths about her relationships, identity, and loss. The comparison to death, which she notes is “almost worse than being dead,” underscores the intensity of her struggle. This metaphor enriches the narrative by linking Laura’s physical experience to her emotional state, illustrating how external challenges reflect and intensify internal conflicts.

    Note