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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 Susannah 2

    by Link, Kelly

    The chap­ter delves into Susannah’s intro­spec­tive view of her­self and her sis­ter Lau­ra, high­light­ing their con­trast­ing per­son­al­i­ties and the com­fort Susan­nah finds in Laura’s stead­fast­ness. Despite being only ten months apart, Susan­nah sees her­self as flawed and chaot­ic, while Lau­ra is steady, des­tined for suc­cess, and full of promise. This dynam­ic is under­scored by their mother’s half-jok­ing notion that Susan­nah har­bors a dev­il inside her. Susannah’s rebel­lious nature man­i­fests in her resis­tance to every­day rou­tines and her com­pli­cat­ed rela­tion­ship with music, which she both hates and loves in dif­fer­ent ways.

    Their shared his­to­ry with Daniel Knowe is woven through­out the nar­ra­tive, reveal­ing a deep con­nec­tion among the three since child­hood. From walk­ing to school togeth­er to endur­ing fam­i­ly hard­ships and form­ing a band, their lives are intri­cate­ly linked. The trio’s expe­ri­ences include nav­i­gat­ing parental divorce and loss, bond­ing over music, and fac­ing the chal­lenges of ado­les­cence. The band, My Two Hands Both Knowe You, sym­bol­izes their cre­ative col­lab­o­ra­tion, with each mem­ber con­tribut­ing unique­ly, though Laura’s role as the lead gui­tarist and vision­ary is empha­sized.

    Susannah’s com­pli­cat­ed roman­tic entan­gle­ments with Daniel and oth­ers are explored can­did­ly, cap­tur­ing the con­fu­sion and impul­sive­ness of youth. Their on-again, off-again rela­tion­ship reflects uncer­tain­ty about inti­ma­cy and self-iden­ti­ty, com­pli­cat­ed fur­ther by Laura’s dis­in­ter­est in rela­tion­ships dur­ing this time. The chap­ter touch­es on the emo­tion­al ambi­gu­i­ty of these encoun­ters, exem­pli­fied by the cre­ation of “The Kiss­ing Song,” which Susan­nah wrote as a reflec­tion on the mean­ing­less yet mem­o­rable moments of teenage life. This under­scores Susannah’s strug­gle to find mean­ing amid chaos.

    The chap­ter clos­es with a sense of loss and unre­solved ten­sion, as both Lau­ra and Daniel are now absent from Susannah’s life. This absence inten­si­fies Susannah’s feel­ings of iso­la­tion and ques­tions about the pur­pose of her actions with­out the bal­anc­ing pres­ence of her sis­ter. The nar­ra­tive effec­tive­ly cap­tures the com­plex­i­ty of sib­ling rela­tion­ships, the tur­bu­lence of ado­les­cence, and the bit­ter­sweet nature of grow­ing up with inter­twined his­to­ries and frac­tured futures.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Susannah perceive the differences between herself and her sister Laura, and what significance do these differences have in their relationship?

      Answer:
      Susannah views Laura as a steady, reliable presence—an “old soul” who has a clear, mapped-out future and handles everyday tasks without complaint. In contrast, Susannah sees herself as a “new bruise,” someone who struggles with anger, self-doubt, and resistance to routine. These differences highlight Susannah’s feelings of inadequacy and alienation, as she feels like “baggage” dragging behind Laura’s success. Despite this, Susannah values Laura deeply, though she rarely voices her insecurities, knowing Laura would dismiss them. This dynamic underscores a complex sibling relationship marked by admiration, dependency, and unspoken emotional undercurrents.

      2. What role does music play in Susannah’s life, and how does it reflect her internal conflicts?

      Answer:
      Music is a paradoxical element for Susannah. She hates music because Laura loves it, yet she also loves performing and the connection it brings with others. Susannah enjoys the physicality of playing drums and the communal energy of a live audience, but she is frustrated that the music never sounds exactly as she imagines it. This tension mirrors her internal conflicts—her desire for expression and connection versus feelings of dissatisfaction and imperfection. Music becomes a medium through which Susannah negotiates her identity, her relationship with Laura, and her struggle to be heard authentically.

      3. Analyze how the shared history among Susannah, Laura, and Daniel contributes to the narrative’s exploration of friendship and family.

      Answer:
      The trio’s shared experiences—from childhood activities to enduring family upheavals—create a rich backdrop that blurs the lines between friendship and family. Their intertwined lives, including shared parental figures and collective hardships, emphasize themes of chosen family and loyalty beyond biological ties. The narrative shows how these bonds provide stability and support but also complicate emotional dynamics, especially as the characters grow and change. Daniel’s presence acts as a connective thread between the sisters, further deepening the exploration of how friendship can carry the weight and intimacy of familial relationships.

      4. Consider Susannah’s reflections on her romantic encounters and the creation of “The Kissing Song.” What do these reflections reveal about her understanding of relationships and self-expression?

      Answer:
      Susannah’s romantic experiences are portrayed as impulsive and somewhat meaningless, highlighting her ambivalence toward intimacy. Her acknowledgment that sex “was a bad idea” and that her kisses don’t necessarily carry deep meaning contrasts with Laura’s more cautious approach to relationships. Writing “The Kissing Song” about a lackluster kiss suggests Susannah’s attempt to process and give shape to her experiences through art, even if she doubts the value of creating more songs. This reveals a complex self-awareness about the performative and emotional aspects of relationships and an ongoing search for authentic self-expression amid confusion.

      5. What does the chapter suggest about Susannah’s emotional state following Laura and Daniel’s absence, and how might this affect her future actions?

      Answer:
      Susannah is left feeling unmoored and isolated without Laura and Daniel, who had been her emotional anchors and balancing forces. She contemplates the futility of her actions without Laura’s presence to “balance it out in the ledger,” indicating a deep sense of loss and aimlessness. This emotional void may lead Susannah to confront her insecurities more directly or push her toward growth as she navigates life without the familiar support system. The chapter hints at a pivotal moment for Susannah, where she must reconcile her identity independently and possibly redefine her relationships and creative outlets.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Honestly, it had always been a comfort to Susannah, how Laura was always Laura.”

      This quote introduces the central relationship between Susannah and her sister Laura, establishing Laura as a constant and grounding presence in Susannah’s life and highlighting the theme of contrasting personalities within family dynamics.

      2. “Susannah was a new bruise. The world was always pressing on her. She grew angry too easily and for no good reason…”

      Here, the author captures Susannah’s internal struggles and emotional volatility, illustrating her sense of alienation and resistance to everyday norms that her sister embraces, which sets up the emotional tension at the heart of the narrative.

      3. “According to their mother, Ruth, there was a devil inside Susannah. (She was only half joking.)”

      This line succinctly conveys the perception of Susannah’s difficult nature from those around her, adding a layer of familial complexity and foreshadowing the challenges Susannah faces in reconciling her identity.

      4. “Susannah hated music, but sometimes she, too, loved to stand on a stage and watch people dance because of a sound she was making.”

      This quote reveals Susannah’s conflicted relationship with music and performance—her simultaneous disdain and attraction—symbolizing her broader ambivalence about connection, expression, and belonging.

      5. “‘The Kissing Song’ wasn’t about anyone, as far as Susannah was concerned. It was more about how sometimes things happen and don’t mean anything at all.”

      This reflective insight captures Susannah’s cynical view of relationships and experiences, underscoring a recurring theme of ambiguity and meaninglessness in youthful encounters and emotional life.

    Quotes

    1. “Honestly, it had always been a comfort to Susannah, how Laura was always Laura.”

    This quote introduces the central relationship between Susannah and her sister Laura, establishing Laura as a constant and grounding presence in Susannah’s life and highlighting the theme of contrasting personalities within family dynamics.

    2. “Susannah was a new bruise. The world was always pressing on her. She grew angry too easily and for no good reason…”

    Here, the author captures Susannah’s internal struggles and emotional volatility, illustrating her sense of alienation and resistance to everyday norms that her sister embraces, which sets up the emotional tension at the heart of the narrative.

    3. “According to their mother, Ruth, there was a devil inside Susannah. (She was only half joking.)”

    This line succinctly conveys the perception of Susannah’s difficult nature from those around her, adding a layer of familial complexity and foreshadowing the challenges Susannah faces in reconciling her identity.

    4. “Susannah hated music, but sometimes she, too, loved to stand on a stage and watch people dance because of a sound she was making.”

    This quote reveals Susannah’s conflicted relationship with music and performance—her simultaneous disdain and attraction—symbolizing her broader ambivalence about connection, expression, and belonging.

    5. “‘The Kissing Song’ wasn’t about anyone, as far as Susannah was concerned. It was more about how sometimes things happen and don’t mean anything at all.”

    This reflective insight captures Susannah’s cynical view of relationships and experiences, underscoring a recurring theme of ambiguity and meaninglessness in youthful encounters and emotional life.

    FAQs

    1. How does Susannah perceive the differences between herself and her sister Laura, and what significance do these differences have in their relationship?

    Answer:
    Susannah views Laura as a steady, reliable presence—an “old soul” who has a clear, mapped-out future and handles everyday tasks without complaint. In contrast, Susannah sees herself as a “new bruise,” someone who struggles with anger, self-doubt, and resistance to routine. These differences highlight Susannah’s feelings of inadequacy and alienation, as she feels like “baggage” dragging behind Laura’s success. Despite this, Susannah values Laura deeply, though she rarely voices her insecurities, knowing Laura would dismiss them. This dynamic underscores a complex sibling relationship marked by admiration, dependency, and unspoken emotional undercurrents.

    2. What role does music play in Susannah’s life, and how does it reflect her internal conflicts?

    Answer:
    Music is a paradoxical element for Susannah. She hates music because Laura loves it, yet she also loves performing and the connection it brings with others. Susannah enjoys the physicality of playing drums and the communal energy of a live audience, but she is frustrated that the music never sounds exactly as she imagines it. This tension mirrors her internal conflicts—her desire for expression and connection versus feelings of dissatisfaction and imperfection. Music becomes a medium through which Susannah negotiates her identity, her relationship with Laura, and her struggle to be heard authentically.

    3. Analyze how the shared history among Susannah, Laura, and Daniel contributes to the narrative’s exploration of friendship and family.

    Answer:
    The trio’s shared experiences—from childhood activities to enduring family upheavals—create a rich backdrop that blurs the lines between friendship and family. Their intertwined lives, including shared parental figures and collective hardships, emphasize themes of chosen family and loyalty beyond biological ties. The narrative shows how these bonds provide stability and support but also complicate emotional dynamics, especially as the characters grow and change. Daniel’s presence acts as a connective thread between the sisters, further deepening the exploration of how friendship can carry the weight and intimacy of familial relationships.

    4. Consider Susannah’s reflections on her romantic encounters and the creation of “The Kissing Song.” What do these reflections reveal about her understanding of relationships and self-expression?

    Answer:
    Susannah’s romantic experiences are portrayed as impulsive and somewhat meaningless, highlighting her ambivalence toward intimacy. Her acknowledgment that sex “was a bad idea” and that her kisses don’t necessarily carry deep meaning contrasts with Laura’s more cautious approach to relationships. Writing “The Kissing Song” about a lackluster kiss suggests Susannah’s attempt to process and give shape to her experiences through art, even if she doubts the value of creating more songs. This reveals a complex self-awareness about the performative and emotional aspects of relationships and an ongoing search for authentic self-expression amid confusion.

    5. What does the chapter suggest about Susannah’s emotional state following Laura and Daniel’s absence, and how might this affect her future actions?

    Answer:
    Susannah is left feeling unmoored and isolated without Laura and Daniel, who had been her emotional anchors and balancing forces. She contemplates the futility of her actions without Laura’s presence to “balance it out in the ledger,” indicating a deep sense of loss and aimlessness. This emotional void may lead Susannah to confront her insecurities more directly or push her toward growth as she navigates life without the familiar support system. The chapter hints at a pivotal moment for Susannah, where she must reconcile her identity independently and possibly redefine her relationships and creative outlets.

    Note