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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 4

    by Link, Kelly

    The chap­ter opens with Susan­nah wak­ing up alone, con­fronting the famil­iar soli­tude and inter­nal con­flict that define her dai­ly exis­tence. She antic­i­pates a day marked by mun­dane mis­ery at work and poten­tial­ly fraught inter­ac­tions with her fam­i­ly, par­tic­u­lar­ly Lau­ra and Daniel. Despite the emo­tion­al stag­na­tion between her and Daniel, who is briefly home from Ire­land, Susan­nah remains entrenched in a life where change feels impos­si­ble. Her sense of dis­qui­et per­sists, under­scor­ing a lack of clar­i­ty about what needs fix­ing or how to move for­ward.

    At work, Susan­nah immers­es her­self in mak­ing lattes and engag­ing with rou­tine cus­tomer ban­ter, find­ing small solace in the repet­i­tive tasks. Her col­league Billy’s inven­tive drink spe­cials, like “Frosty the Snow­man” and “Ice, Ice Babys,” add a touch of lev­i­ty to her day. When Susan­nah notices Thomas sit­ting alone at a table, she recalls her recent, unrec­i­p­ro­cat­ed apol­o­gy to Mo regard­ing a per­son­al mat­ter. The arrival of famil­iar faces from her past and the social inquiries about Daniel high­light her periph­er­al role in his life, yet she choos­es to invite Thomas home, sig­nal­ing a ten­ta­tive step toward con­nec­tion.

    The nar­ra­tive shifts as Susan­nah guides Thomas through a neigh­bor­hood adorned with fes­tive and uncon­ven­tion­al hol­i­day dec­o­ra­tions, reveal­ing a blend of tra­di­tion and eccen­tric­i­ty in her com­mu­ni­ty. Their con­ver­sa­tion reveals con­trasts between Thomas and Daniel, with Thomas’s mys­te­ri­ous back­ground and sub­tle sar­casm mark­ing him as an out­sider. Upon reach­ing Susannah’s house, they encounter her neigh­bors, Lis­sy and Dako­ta, engaged in cre­at­ing “Spoon­henge,” a cir­cle of sil­ver­ware intend­ed for a mag­i­cal rite to sum­mon win­ter. Despite ini­tial skep­ti­cism, Susan­nah agrees to par­tic­i­pate in the late-night rit­u­al, reflect­ing her open­ness to the mys­ti­cal and com­mu­nal aspects of her envi­ron­ment.

    The chap­ter clos­es on an inti­mate note as Susan­nah invites Thomas inside, con­tem­plat­ing the rar­i­ty of such social warmth in her life. Their easy inter­ac­tion and his gen­uine smile sug­gest a bud­ding con­nec­tion, offer­ing a moment of respite from her usu­al iso­la­tion and emo­tion­al tur­moil. The clean, wel­com­ing home stands as a metaphor for Susannah’s ten­ta­tive hope for renew­al and belong­ing, even as she remains acute­ly aware of the com­plex­i­ties that define her rela­tion­ships and inner world.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Susannah’s state of mind at the beginning of the chapter reflect her current life situation?

      Answer:
      At the start of the chapter, Susannah wakes up alone in her bed, which initially seems like a reasonable desire for solitude but quickly leads to self-conflict, as she finds herself with no one else to argue with but herself. This reflects her internal struggle and loneliness. Her thoughts reveal a sense of resignation about her life — she anticipates misery at work, possible annoyance from Laura, and uncertainty about Daniel’s presence. The narrative emphasizes a feeling of stagnation and wrongness that she cannot explain or fix, showing that Susannah is stuck in a cycle of dissatisfaction and unresolved personal issues, despite small comforts like making good lattes.

      2. What role do the interactions with Thomas and the neighborhood children play in the chapter?

      Answer:
      Thomas and the neighborhood children serve as contrasting elements to Susannah’s isolated and troubled mindset. Thomas, a newcomer with a mysterious past, introduces an element of intrigue and difference, highlighted by his derisive comment about the town and his secretive nature. The children, Lissy and Dakota, bring a playful yet earnest energy with their “Spoonhenge” and plans for druid magic to summon winter. These interactions subtly suggest potential connections and new experiences for Susannah, offering a glimpse of community and magic that contrasts with her earlier loneliness. They also hint at themes of belonging and the possibility of change in her life.

      3. Analyze how the chapter uses symbolism in the description of the “gothest Santa” and the “Spoonhenge.” What might these symbols represent about the setting and characters?

      Answer:
      The “gothest Santa” — a black velvet Santa with a skull face riding a coffin-pulled sleigh — symbolizes a subversion of traditional holiday norms, reflecting a community that embraces unconventional identities and dark humor. This aligns with the chapter’s blending of the ordinary (Christmas decorations) with the extraordinary (gothic imagery), suggesting a setting where the unusual coexists with the mundane. Similarly, the “Spoonhenge” created by the children is a playful yet sincere attempt at magic, representing youthful creativity and a desire to influence the natural world. Both symbols highlight a town and characters who blend reality with fantasy, seriousness with whimsy, and tradition with rebellion, underscoring the chapter’s themes of identity and transformation.

      4. How does Susannah’s relationship with Daniel and her expectations about it influence her actions and mood in this chapter?

      Answer:
      Susannah’s relationship with Daniel is marked by uncertainty and disappointment. She reflects on their past interactions and the fact that Daniel has not changed during his time away in Ireland, nor has she. This realization contributes to her sense of stagnation and the “feeling of wrongness” she experiences. Her mood is subdued and somewhat cynical, expecting no magical resolution or change in their dynamic. This influences her actions by making her more reserved and cautious, as seen in her decision not to act as Daniel’s social secretary and in her tentative outreach to others like Thomas. Overall, her relationship with Daniel frames much of her emotional state and her guarded approach to new connections.

      5. Considering the chapter’s themes and Susannah’s experiences, how might the idea of “magic” function metaphorically in the story?

      Answer:
      In the chapter, “magic” appears both literally, through the children’s druid ritual, and metaphorically, as a symbol of hope, change, and agency. For Susannah, who feels trapped in a life of unresolved problems and emotional isolation, magic represents the elusive possibility of transformation — a way to break free from her current state of dissatisfaction. The children’s ritual to summon winter and snow could symbolize a desire to influence one’s environment and fate, contrasting with Susannah’s sense of helplessness. Thus, magic metaphorically embodies the tension between passivity and action, despair and hope, and the human yearning to create meaning and effect change even in difficult circumstances.

    Quotes

    • 1. “There is the desire (completely reasonable) to wake up in sole possession of one’s bed and there is then the moment in which you wake up and discover this is the case. You are alone. And then the only one available with whom to pick a fight is oneself.”

      This opening quote poignantly captures Susannah’s internal solitude and sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of loneliness, self-conflict, and the emotional landscape she navigates. It introduces the theme of isolation that underpins much of her experience.

      2. “The feeling of wrongness that had swallowed her up some time ago had no cause. There was no magical door through which she could walk into a life where she understood how to fix things or even what needed to be fixed.”

      Here, the author highlights Susannah’s sense of stagnation and helplessness, emphasizing that her struggles are not due to external magical transformations but internal unresolved conflicts. This quote reflects a key insight about personal growth and the absence of easy solutions.

      3. “Billy listed a new special on the board, Frosty the Snowman, which involved a lot of peppermint syrup and ice cream, and Susannah made those until the peppermint syrup ran out. So they switched to Ice, Ice Babys, which used both nutmeg and lemon and were freakishly tasty.”

      This passage, while lighter in tone, serves as a grounding moment in Susannah’s daily life, showing how small, tangible tasks and moments of creativity provide some respite from emotional turmoil. It also subtly characterizes the supporting cast and the environment around her.

      4. “‘There’s a whole story there,’ Susannah said. ‘Romeo and Juliet–level stuff.’”

      This line, referencing the goth-themed Santa decoration, metaphorically suggests underlying complex, possibly tragic narratives beneath the surface of ordinary life. It reflects Susannah’s awareness of deep stories and conflicts in her community and relationships.

      5. “‘It’s almost Christmas. We want snow. Among other things. So we’re going to do some druid magic. Summon winter.’”

      This quote introduces the motif of magic and ritual as a means of attempting to influence or cope with reality. It signals a turning point where Susannah engages with others in a shared, hopeful act, blending the mundane with the mystical and illustrating themes of community and belief.

    Quotes

    1. “There is the desire (completely reasonable) to wake up in sole possession of one’s bed and there is then the moment in which you wake up and discover this is the case. You are alone. And then the only one available with whom to pick a fight is oneself.”

    This opening quote poignantly captures Susannah’s internal solitude and sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of loneliness, self-conflict, and the emotional landscape she navigates. It introduces the theme of isolation that underpins much of her experience.

    2. “The feeling of wrongness that had swallowed her up some time ago had no cause. There was no magical door through which she could walk into a life where she understood how to fix things or even what needed to be fixed.”

    Here, the author highlights Susannah’s sense of stagnation and helplessness, emphasizing that her struggles are not due to external magical transformations but internal unresolved conflicts. This quote reflects a key insight about personal growth and the absence of easy solutions.

    3. “Billy listed a new special on the board, Frosty the Snowman, which involved a lot of peppermint syrup and ice cream, and Susannah made those until the peppermint syrup ran out. So they switched to Ice, Ice Babys, which used both nutmeg and lemon and were freakishly tasty.”

    This passage, while lighter in tone, serves as a grounding moment in Susannah’s daily life, showing how small, tangible tasks and moments of creativity provide some respite from emotional turmoil. It also subtly characterizes the supporting cast and the environment around her.

    4. “‘There’s a whole story there,’ Susannah said. ‘Romeo and Juliet–level stuff.’”

    This line, referencing the goth-themed Santa decoration, metaphorically suggests underlying complex, possibly tragic narratives beneath the surface of ordinary life. It reflects Susannah’s awareness of deep stories and conflicts in her community and relationships.

    5. “‘It’s almost Christmas. We want snow. Among other things. So we’re going to do some druid magic. Summon winter.’”

    This quote introduces the motif of magic and ritual as a means of attempting to influence or cope with reality. It signals a turning point where Susannah engages with others in a shared, hopeful act, blending the mundane with the mystical and illustrating themes of community and belief.

    FAQs

    1. How does Susannah’s state of mind at the beginning of the chapter reflect her current life situation?

    Answer:
    At the start of the chapter, Susannah wakes up alone in her bed, which initially seems like a reasonable desire for solitude but quickly leads to self-conflict, as she finds herself with no one else to argue with but herself. This reflects her internal struggle and loneliness. Her thoughts reveal a sense of resignation about her life — she anticipates misery at work, possible annoyance from Laura, and uncertainty about Daniel’s presence. The narrative emphasizes a feeling of stagnation and wrongness that she cannot explain or fix, showing that Susannah is stuck in a cycle of dissatisfaction and unresolved personal issues, despite small comforts like making good lattes.

    2. What role do the interactions with Thomas and the neighborhood children play in the chapter?

    Answer:
    Thomas and the neighborhood children serve as contrasting elements to Susannah’s isolated and troubled mindset. Thomas, a newcomer with a mysterious past, introduces an element of intrigue and difference, highlighted by his derisive comment about the town and his secretive nature. The children, Lissy and Dakota, bring a playful yet earnest energy with their “Spoonhenge” and plans for druid magic to summon winter. These interactions subtly suggest potential connections and new experiences for Susannah, offering a glimpse of community and magic that contrasts with her earlier loneliness. They also hint at themes of belonging and the possibility of change in her life.

    3. Analyze how the chapter uses symbolism in the description of the “gothest Santa” and the “Spoonhenge.” What might these symbols represent about the setting and characters?

    Answer:
    The “gothest Santa” — a black velvet Santa with a skull face riding a coffin-pulled sleigh — symbolizes a subversion of traditional holiday norms, reflecting a community that embraces unconventional identities and dark humor. This aligns with the chapter’s blending of the ordinary (Christmas decorations) with the extraordinary (gothic imagery), suggesting a setting where the unusual coexists with the mundane. Similarly, the “Spoonhenge” created by the children is a playful yet sincere attempt at magic, representing youthful creativity and a desire to influence the natural world. Both symbols highlight a town and characters who blend reality with fantasy, seriousness with whimsy, and tradition with rebellion, underscoring the chapter’s themes of identity and transformation.

    4. How does Susannah’s relationship with Daniel and her expectations about it influence her actions and mood in this chapter?

    Answer:
    Susannah’s relationship with Daniel is marked by uncertainty and disappointment. She reflects on their past interactions and the fact that Daniel has not changed during his time away in Ireland, nor has she. This realization contributes to her sense of stagnation and the “feeling of wrongness” she experiences. Her mood is subdued and somewhat cynical, expecting no magical resolution or change in their dynamic. This influences her actions by making her more reserved and cautious, as seen in her decision not to act as Daniel’s social secretary and in her tentative outreach to others like Thomas. Overall, her relationship with Daniel frames much of her emotional state and her guarded approach to new connections.

    5. Considering the chapter’s themes and Susannah’s experiences, how might the idea of “magic” function metaphorically in the story?

    Answer:
    In the chapter, “magic” appears both literally, through the children’s druid ritual, and metaphorically, as a symbol of hope, change, and agency. For Susannah, who feels trapped in a life of unresolved problems and emotional isolation, magic represents the elusive possibility of transformation — a way to break free from her current state of dissatisfaction. The children’s ritual to summon winter and snow could symbolize a desire to influence one’s environment and fate, contrasting with Susannah’s sense of helplessness. Thus, magic metaphorically embodies the tension between passivity and action, despair and hope, and the human yearning to create meaning and effect change even in difficult circumstances.

    Note