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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 6

    by Link, Kelly

    The chap­ter opens with Susan­nah and Lau­ra wash­ing glit­ter off their faces late at night, reflect­ing on their father’s recent vis­it and the com­plex fam­i­ly dynam­ics it stirred. Ruth, their sis­ter, appeared con­flict­ed but engaged with their father dur­ing their time togeth­er. Susan­nah and Lau­ra dis­cuss the pos­si­bil­i­ty of their par­ents rec­on­cil­ing, ulti­mate­ly deem­ing it unlike­ly giv­en Ruth’s inde­pen­dence and dat­ing life. Their con­ver­sa­tion touch­es on past child­hood fan­tasies of their father’s return, con­trast­ed with the real­i­ty of adult rela­tion­ships and Ruth’s cur­rent admir­ers, includ­ing a kind-heart­ed man named Mar­tim who has shown inter­est in her.

    As their con­ver­sa­tion shifts, Susan­nah and Lau­ra tease each oth­er about per­son­al mat­ters, reveal­ing sub­tle under­cur­rents in their sib­ling rela­tion­ship. Despite Susannah’s reluc­tance to revis­it her musi­cal past or join Laura’s plans, the exchange hints at nos­tal­gia and unre­solved feel­ings, par­tic­u­lar­ly regard­ing Daniel, a fig­ure from Susannah’s past. Laura’s sur­pris­ing admis­sion of miss­ing home and even Susan­nah her­self soft­ens their inter­ac­tion, high­light­ing the warmth beneath their teas­ing. Their dia­logue bal­ances light­heart­ed­ness with emo­tion­al depth, por­tray­ing a fam­i­ly nav­i­gat­ing change and con­nec­tion.

    Lat­er, Susan­nah pre­pares for a late-night rit­u­al with a goth-inspired out­fit and sym­bol­ic acces­sories, empha­siz­ing her affin­i­ty for the mys­ti­cal and the dark­ly aes­thet­ic. She intends to join a local mid­dle school coven, but the younger par­tic­i­pants fail to show, leav­ing her alone under the stars. The scene cap­tures a shift in atmos­phere as the night grows cold­er and the sky seems to sig­nal a sea­son­al tran­si­tion. Susannah’s soli­tary vig­il embod­ies a moment of intro­spec­tion and antic­i­pa­tion, blend­ing the mun­dane with the super­nat­ur­al.

    The chap­ter cul­mi­nates in a sur­re­al encounter when an appari­tion appears to Susannah—her old imag­i­nary friend Bogomil, man­i­fest­ing as a man rather than a wolf. This meet­ing blurs the lines between real­i­ty and fan­ta­sy, as Bogomil’s pres­ence evokes an eerie yet com­pelling ener­gy. His phys­i­cal descrip­tion and cryp­tic dia­logue deep­en the goth­ic tone, sug­gest­ing that Susannah’s world is inter­twined with dark­er forces beyond every­day life. This encounter leaves the chap­ter poised between the famil­iar and the uncan­ny, under­scor­ing themes of iden­ti­ty, mem­o­ry, and the super­nat­ur­al.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How do Susannah and Laura perceive their father’s recent visit and his relationship with their mother?

      Answer:
      Susannah and Laura have a complex and somewhat skeptical view of their father’s visit and the possibility of him reconciling with their mother. They note his flirtatious and ingratiating behavior, and observe that their mother seemed to respond positively, but both consider the idea of them getting back together as “weird” and unlikely. Susannah reflects on their childhood fantasies about their father returning to make amends, contrasting that innocence with the reality that their mother has moved on socially and romantically, with options like Martim showing interest. This suggests a mature awareness that their family dynamics have changed and that past hopes may no longer be relevant.

      2. What does the interaction between Susannah and Laura reveal about their relationship and individual characters?

      Answer:
      Their interaction reveals a nuanced sibling relationship marked by teasing, honesty, and underlying affection. Susannah is somewhat sarcastic and protective, teasing Laura about her love life and reminding her to be nice to Daniel. Laura, though initially dismissive, shows vulnerability by admitting she missed Susannah and even hints at Susannah’s feelings for Daniel. This exchange shows Susannah’s guarded nature balanced with a soft spot for her sister, while Laura’s openness about missing home and family contrasts with her usual snippiness. Together, they embody a realistic sibling bond with moments of both conflict and care.

      3. Analyze the significance of Susannah’s choice to dress in goth attire and attempt to participate in the midnight spell with Lissy and Dakota.

      Answer:
      Susannah’s choice to don her “witchiest black dress” and gothic accessories symbolizes her desire to connect with a subculture or identity that embraces the mysterious and supernatural, contrasting with her sister’s skepticism. It also reflects her need for agency and involvement in something meaningful, especially after feeling distanced from music and family dynamics. The failed meetup with Lissy and Dakota highlights the challenges of adolescence and the gap between intention and reality, while her solitary moment under the stars evokes a sense of isolation but also a connection to something larger and mystical. This episode deepens her character as someone caught between childhood fantasy and adult realities.

      4. What is the symbolic meaning of Susannah’s encounter with Bogomil, and how does it relate to her internal state?

      Answer:
      Bogomil, described as Susannah’s old imaginary friend appearing as a man rather than a wolf, symbolizes the blurred lines between imagination, memory, and reality in Susannah’s life. His presence at a liminal time—late at night, under a changing sky—mirrors Susannah’s internal transition and uncertainty. His burnt, musky scent and blackened claws evoke darkness and transformation, suggesting that Susannah’s exploration of identity and magic is intertwined with confronting darker, more complex aspects of herself. The encounter challenges her to acknowledge the persistence of these inner forces, even as she tries to dismiss them as unreal, highlighting her struggle with belief, identity, and the supernatural.

      5. How does the chapter explore themes of family dynamics and personal growth through the characters’ interactions and inner reflections?

      Answer:
      The chapter uses the interactions between Susannah, Laura, and their family to explore themes of change, acceptance, and maturation. The siblings’ conversation about their father and mother reveals evolving family relationships and the tension between past hopes and present realities. Susannah’s reflections on music, magic, and her solitary midnight vigil illustrate her journey toward self-understanding and autonomy. The complexity of their emotions—ranging from teasing to genuine affection and from skepticism to longing—portrays the messy, often contradictory nature of growing up within a changing family. The chapter suggests that personal growth involves reconciling these tensions and finding one’s place amidst shifting familial roles.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Remember how we used to make up stories when we were kids about how he was going to come back, and he’d be sorry and everything, and he’d have presents for us? And Ruth would take him back? But we’re not kids anymore, and she has dates whenever she wants, not to mention Martim over at the furniture place is always asking about her when he comes in for coffee.”

      This quote captures the bittersweet transition from childhood innocence to adult realism, highlighting how the sisters reflect on their family dynamics with a mix of nostalgia and pragmatic understanding. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of family relationships and changing perceptions.

      2. “Maybe you really missed American food while you were gone.”

      This simple line, part of a sisterly exchange, reveals the subtle emotional undercurrents of belonging and homecoming. It conveys how small comforts and familiarities symbolize deeper feelings of connection and adjustment after time away.

      3. “Only people with no manners showed up empty-handed when there was dark magic to perform.”

      This line humorously underscores Susannah’s commitment to her goth identity and the rituals she embraces, illustrating her need for agency and control through symbolic acts. It also introduces the chapter’s shift toward the mystical and supernatural elements that frame Susannah’s personal narrative.

      4. “The night sky above her was clear, but you could feel the turn in the air. Like someone sweeping out the old season, cleaning the house of heaven.”

      This poetic observation marks a key atmospheric moment, evoking themes of change, renewal, and the passage of time. It situates the chapter’s mood and foreshadows the supernatural encounter that follows, blending the natural and mystical worlds.

      5. “No matter how incredibly, carefully goth you get yourself up to be, someone out there is always gothier.”

      This wry, self-aware reflection offers insight into Susannah’s character and the layered identity she inhabits. It subtly acknowledges the limits of self-fashioning and the presence of darker, more profound forces beyond personal control, tying into the chapter’s mystical climax.

    Quotes

    1. “Remember how we used to make up stories when we were kids about how he was going to come back, and he’d be sorry and everything, and he’d have presents for us? And Ruth would take him back? But we’re not kids anymore, and she has dates whenever she wants, not to mention Martim over at the furniture place is always asking about her when he comes in for coffee.”

    This quote captures the bittersweet transition from childhood innocence to adult realism, highlighting how the sisters reflect on their family dynamics with a mix of nostalgia and pragmatic understanding. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of family relationships and changing perceptions.

    2. “Maybe you really missed American food while you were gone.”

    This simple line, part of a sisterly exchange, reveals the subtle emotional undercurrents of belonging and homecoming. It conveys how small comforts and familiarities symbolize deeper feelings of connection and adjustment after time away.

    3. “Only people with no manners showed up empty-handed when there was dark magic to perform.”

    This line humorously underscores Susannah’s commitment to her goth identity and the rituals she embraces, illustrating her need for agency and control through symbolic acts. It also introduces the chapter’s shift toward the mystical and supernatural elements that frame Susannah’s personal narrative.

    4. “The night sky above her was clear, but you could feel the turn in the air. Like someone sweeping out the old season, cleaning the house of heaven.”

    This poetic observation marks a key atmospheric moment, evoking themes of change, renewal, and the passage of time. It situates the chapter’s mood and foreshadows the supernatural encounter that follows, blending the natural and mystical worlds.

    5. “No matter how incredibly, carefully goth you get yourself up to be, someone out there is always gothier.”

    This wry, self-aware reflection offers insight into Susannah’s character and the layered identity she inhabits. It subtly acknowledges the limits of self-fashioning and the presence of darker, more profound forces beyond personal control, tying into the chapter’s mystical climax.

    FAQs

    1. How do Susannah and Laura perceive their father’s recent visit and his relationship with their mother?

    Answer:
    Susannah and Laura have a complex and somewhat skeptical view of their father’s visit and the possibility of him reconciling with their mother. They note his flirtatious and ingratiating behavior, and observe that their mother seemed to respond positively, but both consider the idea of them getting back together as “weird” and unlikely. Susannah reflects on their childhood fantasies about their father returning to make amends, contrasting that innocence with the reality that their mother has moved on socially and romantically, with options like Martim showing interest. This suggests a mature awareness that their family dynamics have changed and that past hopes may no longer be relevant.

    2. What does the interaction between Susannah and Laura reveal about their relationship and individual characters?

    Answer:
    Their interaction reveals a nuanced sibling relationship marked by teasing, honesty, and underlying affection. Susannah is somewhat sarcastic and protective, teasing Laura about her love life and reminding her to be nice to Daniel. Laura, though initially dismissive, shows vulnerability by admitting she missed Susannah and even hints at Susannah’s feelings for Daniel. This exchange shows Susannah’s guarded nature balanced with a soft spot for her sister, while Laura’s openness about missing home and family contrasts with her usual snippiness. Together, they embody a realistic sibling bond with moments of both conflict and care.

    3. Analyze the significance of Susannah’s choice to dress in goth attire and attempt to participate in the midnight spell with Lissy and Dakota.

    Answer:
    Susannah’s choice to don her “witchiest black dress” and gothic accessories symbolizes her desire to connect with a subculture or identity that embraces the mysterious and supernatural, contrasting with her sister’s skepticism. It also reflects her need for agency and involvement in something meaningful, especially after feeling distanced from music and family dynamics. The failed meetup with Lissy and Dakota highlights the challenges of adolescence and the gap between intention and reality, while her solitary moment under the stars evokes a sense of isolation but also a connection to something larger and mystical. This episode deepens her character as someone caught between childhood fantasy and adult realities.

    4. What is the symbolic meaning of Susannah’s encounter with Bogomil, and how does it relate to her internal state?

    Answer:
    Bogomil, described as Susannah’s old imaginary friend appearing as a man rather than a wolf, symbolizes the blurred lines between imagination, memory, and reality in Susannah’s life. His presence at a liminal time—late at night, under a changing sky—mirrors Susannah’s internal transition and uncertainty. His burnt, musky scent and blackened claws evoke darkness and transformation, suggesting that Susannah’s exploration of identity and magic is intertwined with confronting darker, more complex aspects of herself. The encounter challenges her to acknowledge the persistence of these inner forces, even as she tries to dismiss them as unreal, highlighting her struggle with belief, identity, and the supernatural.

    5. How does the chapter explore themes of family dynamics and personal growth through the characters’ interactions and inner reflections?

    Answer:
    The chapter uses the interactions between Susannah, Laura, and their family to explore themes of change, acceptance, and maturation. The siblings’ conversation about their father and mother reveals evolving family relationships and the tension between past hopes and present realities. Susannah’s reflections on music, magic, and her solitary midnight vigil illustrate her journey toward self-understanding and autonomy. The complexity of their emotions—ranging from teasing to genuine affection and from skepticism to longing—portrays the messy, often contradictory nature of growing up within a changing family. The chapter suggests that personal growth involves reconciling these tensions and finding one’s place amidst shifting familial roles.

    Note