Search Jump: Comments
    Chapter Index
    Back to Story
    Cover of The Book of Love
    FantasyFictionLiterary

    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.
    PreviousNext
    The Book of Love

    The Book of Susannah 11

    by Link, Kelly

    In this chap­ter of *The Book of Susan­nah*, Susan­nah lies beside Daniel, reflect­ing on the com­plex and var­ied nature of their inti­mate rela­tion­ship. Their sex­u­al encoun­ters have spanned a wide range of emo­tions and circumstances—from anger and cel­e­bra­tion to bore­dom and secre­cy. Despite their numer­ous encoun­ters, this moment feels dif­fer­ent to Susan­nah; Daniel appears changed, more frag­ile and less con­tent than before. Their con­nec­tion is tinged with an unspo­ken under­stand­ing that their cur­rent inti­ma­cy is tem­po­rary, as both antic­i­pate mov­ing on to dif­fer­ent futures and rela­tion­ships.

    The con­ver­sa­tion between Susan­nah and Daniel reveals lin­ger­ing feel­ings and unre­solved ten­sions. Susan­nah acknowl­edges Daniel’s past plans to quit music and set­tle down, but he has instead pur­sued his pas­sion by trav­el­ing to Ire­land. Their dia­logue touch­es on Susannah’s pre­oc­cu­pa­tions with death and the after­life, which she admits to think­ing about only occa­sion­al­ly. She shares a deeply per­son­al secret about recur­ring dreams involv­ing a mys­ti­cal fig­ure named Bogomil, who offers her a fan­tas­ti­cal king­dom where she could escape the hard­ships of the real world and live for­ev­er.

    Susan­nah describes these dreams as a refuge where she feels a pro­found sense of belong­ing and eter­nal love, con­trast­ing sharply with her wak­ing life. She con­fides that Bogomil’s realm sym­bol­izes a desire for per­ma­nence and escape from the inevitabil­i­ty of aging and loss. The dreams ceased after her breakup with Daniel but have recent­ly returned, sug­gest­ing unre­solved emo­tions. She express­es her love for Daniel in a qui­et, non-epic way, empha­siz­ing accep­tance of their sit­u­a­tion rather than cling­ing to roman­tic ide­al­ism. This reveals a mature under­stand­ing of love’s com­plex­i­ties and lim­i­ta­tions.

    The chap­ter clos­es with Susan­nah imag­in­ing their future selves, acknowl­edg­ing the inevitable changes time will bring. She envi­sions Daniel as a sen­si­ble, per­haps con­ven­tion­al adult who might even­tu­al­ly aban­don music for sta­bil­i­ty, while she hopes to find her own path. Despite this, their shared his­to­ry and love remain a poignant con­stant. The tone is both reflec­tive and bit­ter­sweet, cap­tur­ing the nuanced real­i­ty of young love, growth, and the accep­tance of life’s unpre­dictable course.

    Down­load PDF Sum­ma­ry

    FAQs

    • 1. How does the chapter portray the complexity of Susannah and Daniel’s relationship through their past and present interactions?

      Answer:
      The chapter reveals a multifaceted relationship between Susannah and Daniel, marked by a history of intimacy and emotional complexity. Their numerous sexual encounters—ranging from celebratory and angry moments to casual and experimental experiences—highlight the depth and variability of their connection. Despite their physical closeness, there is an undercurrent of emotional tension and uncertainty, especially as Susannah senses Daniel’s unhappiness and both acknowledge an inevitable future apart. The dialogue about their breakup, future plans, and enduring love underscores a bittersweet dynamic where affection coexists with resignation and the recognition that their relationship is evolving beyond its current form.

      2. What symbolic meaning does the recurring dream of Bogomil hold for Susannah, and how does it relate to her feelings about reality and mortality?

      Answer:
      Bogomil’s dream kingdom symbolizes an idealized realm where Susannah experiences belonging, eternal youth, and unending love—elements absent from her waking life. The dream’s setting of eternal night and transformation into wolves suggests a mystical escape from the constraints and fears of reality, particularly the inevitability of death. Bogomil represents a magical, protective figure who offers Susannah a promise of immortality and perpetual connection, contrasting with her real-world anxieties. This dream motif reflects her subconscious desire to transcend mortality and the pain of growing up, highlighting her struggle with existential questions and the comfort she finds in the fantastical versus the mundane.

      3. In what ways does the chapter explore the theme of acceptance in Susannah’s perspective on love and future life paths?

      Answer:
      Susannah expresses a mature acceptance of love’s impermanence and the unpredictable trajectories of life. She acknowledges that although she loves Daniel deeply, their relationship is unlikely to resume in its former intensity. She envisions a future where both will pursue separate lives—Daniel potentially leaving music for a conventional career, and herself figuring out her direction—yet they will retain a lasting emotional bond. This acceptance is nuanced by her realistic appraisal of love as “not epic” but enduring, and her willingness to embrace change without bitterness. Her reflections suggest a reconciliation with the complexity of human relationships and the necessity of moving forward while cherishing past connections.

      4. How does the chapter use the setting and physical environment to enhance the emotional tone of the narrative?

      Answer:
      The setting—a cold room where Susannah lies naked without a comforter—mirrors the emotional vulnerability and discomfort underlying the intimate scene. The physical chill contrasts with the warmth of their shared history and complicates the sense of closeness. The mention of specific places where they previously had sex, such as Ruth’s car and the Arnold Arboretum, grounds their relationship in real, tangible experiences that evoke nostalgia. The looming absence of Laura and the uncertainty about the locked door add tension and a sense of exposure. Overall, the environment amplifies themes of intimacy, fragility, and the transient nature of their connection.

      5. What does the conversation about death and dreams reveal about Susannah’s inner conflicts and coping mechanisms?

      Answer:
      Susannah’s admission of thinking about death and her recounting of the Bogomil dreams reveal deep-seated fears and a search for meaning. Her reluctance to discuss these dreams with others reflects a fear of judgment and a sense of alienation. The dreams offer a coping mechanism by providing a fantastical refuge from the harshness of reality and the inevitability of mortality. Her fluctuating acknowledgment of death—from denial to tentative acceptance—illustrates an ongoing internal struggle. The conversation with Daniel serves as a moment of vulnerability and connection, allowing her to voice fears she usually keeps hidden, thereby highlighting the complexity of her emotional landscape.

    Quotes

    • 1. “She and Daniel had had a lot of sex. They’d had mediocre figuring-stuff-out sex, and they’d also had spectacular figuring-out-some-other-stuff sex… Something this time had been different.”

      This quote captures the complex and evolving nature of Susannah and Daniel’s relationship, highlighting how intimacy between two people can vary profoundly over time, reflecting changes in their emotional states and connection. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of their dynamic.

      2. “You said you keep thinking about death.”

      “Yes,” Susannah said. Though at the moment it was hard to remember what she had been so upset about.

      This exchange introduces a key theme of mortality and existential reflection that underpins Susannah’s inner life, contrasting the immediacy of their physical relationship with deeper, often unspoken anxieties.

      3. “Bogomil… He was a man sometimes and a wolf sometimes… In those dreams, I knew I was exactly how I was supposed to be; I never felt that way when I was awake.”

      Susannah’s recounting of her dreams about Bogomil reveals her longing for belonging and escape, embodying the chapter’s motif of fantasy versus reality and the search for identity and meaning beyond the constraints of her waking world.

      4. “I do love you. I will always love you.”

      This simple yet profound declaration underscores the enduring emotional bond between Susannah and Daniel, even as they acknowledge the impermanence and complexity of their relationship. It is a pivotal emotional moment in the chapter.

      5. “I just want to say that it’s okay. I love you and I’m always going to love you, but it doesn’t mean anything. It isn’t epic.”

      Here Susannah offers a poignant reflection on love’s ordinary, sometimes unromantic nature, challenging grand narratives of romance and emphasizing acceptance and realism in their connection. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s bittersweet conclusion.

    Quotes

    1. “She and Daniel had had a lot of sex. They’d had mediocre figuring-stuff-out sex, and they’d also had spectacular figuring-out-some-other-stuff sex… Something this time had been different.”

    This quote captures the complex and evolving nature of Susannah and Daniel’s relationship, highlighting how intimacy between two people can vary profoundly over time, reflecting changes in their emotional states and connection. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of their dynamic.

    2. “You said you keep thinking about death.”

    “Yes,” Susannah said. Though at the moment it was hard to remember what she had been so upset about.

    This exchange introduces a key theme of mortality and existential reflection that underpins Susannah’s inner life, contrasting the immediacy of their physical relationship with deeper, often unspoken anxieties.

    3. “Bogomil… He was a man sometimes and a wolf sometimes… In those dreams, I knew I was exactly how I was supposed to be; I never felt that way when I was awake.”

    Susannah’s recounting of her dreams about Bogomil reveals her longing for belonging and escape, embodying the chapter’s motif of fantasy versus reality and the search for identity and meaning beyond the constraints of her waking world.

    4. “I do love you. I will always love you.”

    This simple yet profound declaration underscores the enduring emotional bond between Susannah and Daniel, even as they acknowledge the impermanence and complexity of their relationship. It is a pivotal emotional moment in the chapter.

    5. “I just want to say that it’s okay. I love you and I’m always going to love you, but it doesn’t mean anything. It isn’t epic.”

    Here Susannah offers a poignant reflection on love’s ordinary, sometimes unromantic nature, challenging grand narratives of romance and emphasizing acceptance and realism in their connection. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s bittersweet conclusion.

    FAQs

    1. How does the chapter portray the complexity of Susannah and Daniel’s relationship through their past and present interactions?

    Answer:
    The chapter reveals a multifaceted relationship between Susannah and Daniel, marked by a history of intimacy and emotional complexity. Their numerous sexual encounters—ranging from celebratory and angry moments to casual and experimental experiences—highlight the depth and variability of their connection. Despite their physical closeness, there is an undercurrent of emotional tension and uncertainty, especially as Susannah senses Daniel’s unhappiness and both acknowledge an inevitable future apart. The dialogue about their breakup, future plans, and enduring love underscores a bittersweet dynamic where affection coexists with resignation and the recognition that their relationship is evolving beyond its current form.

    2. What symbolic meaning does the recurring dream of Bogomil hold for Susannah, and how does it relate to her feelings about reality and mortality?

    Answer:
    Bogomil’s dream kingdom symbolizes an idealized realm where Susannah experiences belonging, eternal youth, and unending love—elements absent from her waking life. The dream’s setting of eternal night and transformation into wolves suggests a mystical escape from the constraints and fears of reality, particularly the inevitability of death. Bogomil represents a magical, protective figure who offers Susannah a promise of immortality and perpetual connection, contrasting with her real-world anxieties. This dream motif reflects her subconscious desire to transcend mortality and the pain of growing up, highlighting her struggle with existential questions and the comfort she finds in the fantastical versus the mundane.

    3. In what ways does the chapter explore the theme of acceptance in Susannah’s perspective on love and future life paths?

    Answer:
    Susannah expresses a mature acceptance of love’s impermanence and the unpredictable trajectories of life. She acknowledges that although she loves Daniel deeply, their relationship is unlikely to resume in its former intensity. She envisions a future where both will pursue separate lives—Daniel potentially leaving music for a conventional career, and herself figuring out her direction—yet they will retain a lasting emotional bond. This acceptance is nuanced by her realistic appraisal of love as “not epic” but enduring, and her willingness to embrace change without bitterness. Her reflections suggest a reconciliation with the complexity of human relationships and the necessity of moving forward while cherishing past connections.

    4. How does the chapter use the setting and physical environment to enhance the emotional tone of the narrative?

    Answer:
    The setting—a cold room where Susannah lies naked without a comforter—mirrors the emotional vulnerability and discomfort underlying the intimate scene. The physical chill contrasts with the warmth of their shared history and complicates the sense of closeness. The mention of specific places where they previously had sex, such as Ruth’s car and the Arnold Arboretum, grounds their relationship in real, tangible experiences that evoke nostalgia. The looming absence of Laura and the uncertainty about the locked door add tension and a sense of exposure. Overall, the environment amplifies themes of intimacy, fragility, and the transient nature of their connection.

    5. What does the conversation about death and dreams reveal about Susannah’s inner conflicts and coping mechanisms?

    Answer:
    Susannah’s admission of thinking about death and her recounting of the Bogomil dreams reveal deep-seated fears and a search for meaning. Her reluctance to discuss these dreams with others reflects a fear of judgment and a sense of alienation. The dreams offer a coping mechanism by providing a fantastical refuge from the harshness of reality and the inevitability of mortality. Her fluctuating acknowledgment of death—from denial to tentative acceptance—illustrates an ongoing internal struggle. The conversation with Daniel serves as a moment of vulnerability and connection, allowing her to voice fears she usually keeps hidden, thereby highlighting the complexity of her emotional landscape.

    Note