Chapter Index
    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.

    The chap­ter opens by set­ting the scene at Cresthill hos­pi­tal, where Susannah’s moth­er, Ruth, works as a nurse in the NICU. Despite recent cos­met­ic upgrades like a remod­eled cafe­te­ria and new fur­ni­ture, the hospital’s core issues remain unaddressed—nurses and ther­a­pists have not received a pay raise in over a decade, and the pre­ma­ture babies’ care envi­ron­ment remains chal­leng­ing. Ruth is ded­i­cat­ed and pas­sion­ate about her work, but crit­i­cal of hos­pi­tal man­age­ment and super­fi­cial changes that pri­or­i­tize appear­ance over com­fort. This intro­duc­tion pro­vides a ground­ed glimpse into the hospital’s atmos­phere and the real­i­ties faced by med­ical staff and patients alike.

    Susannah’s inter­ac­tion with Avelot intro­duces a com­plex dynam­ic between the char­ac­ters. Avelot’s impul­sive behav­ior, such as tak­ing anoth­er patient’s Dori­tos, con­trasts with Susannah’s more mea­sured respons­es, high­light­ing their dif­fer­ing per­son­al­i­ties. The con­ver­sa­tion reveals Susannah’s con­flict­ed feel­ings about her sis­ter Lau­ra, who has recent­ly returned from the dead, stir­ring unre­solved anger and con­fu­sion. Their exchange about Lau­ra and oth­er char­ac­ters like Daniel and Mo intro­duces a deep­er, more mys­te­ri­ous sub­plot involv­ing life, death, and super­nat­ur­al ele­ments, which com­pli­cate Susannah’s emo­tion­al land­scape.

    The nar­ra­tive deep­ens as Avelot explains a dire super­nat­ur­al predica­ment involv­ing Malo Mogge, Anabin, and Bogomil. The stakes are high: those not cho­sen to guard a mys­ti­cal door will die again and be devoured by Malo Mogge, who seeks to pun­ish Bogomil. Avelot’s calm accep­tance of this fate con­trasts sharply with Susannah’s deter­mi­na­tion to find a way to pre­vent fur­ther deaths and destruc­tion. This ten­sion between res­ig­na­tion and resolve under­scores the chapter’s themes of fate, pow­er, and resis­tance, while fore­shad­ow­ing the chal­lenges Susan­nah and her allies will face.

    Final­ly, the chap­ter clos­es with Susan­nah and Avelot vis­it­ing Ruth at the hos­pi­tal. Their inter­ac­tions with hos­pi­tal staff, includ­ing the friend­ly res­pi­ra­to­ry ther­a­pist Paula, add warmth and nor­mal­cy to the sto­ry. Avelot’s adop­tion of a pink hair streak from Paula injects light­heart­ed­ness amid the ten­sion. The scene also pro­vides a touch­ing moment as Susan­nah explains the frag­ile con­di­tion of the pre­ma­ture babies in incu­ba­tors, empha­siz­ing the vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty and hope that per­me­ate the hos­pi­tal envi­ron­ment. This blend of every­day hos­pi­tal life with the over­ar­ch­ing super­nat­ur­al con­flict main­tains the chapter’s bal­ance between real­ism and fan­ta­sy.

    FAQs

    • 1. How does the chapter depict the contrast between the hospital’s outward appearance and the realities faced by its staff and patients?

      Answer:
      The chapter highlights a stark contrast between the hospital’s cosmetic improvements and the ongoing struggles within. Fifteen years prior, consultants were hired to rebrand Cresthill, resulting in aesthetic upgrades like remodeled cafeterias, improved menus, and more comfortable lobby furniture such as banquettes. However, despite these surface-level changes, the NICU nurses and therapists have not received pay raises in a decade, signaling systemic neglect. Additionally, the premature babies in the NICU remain unaffected by these changes, emphasizing that the real challenges—financial constraints, staff morale, and patient care complexities—are not resolved by cosmetic updates alone. This contrast underscores themes of appearance versus reality and critiques institutional priorities.

      2. What role does Avelot play in the narrative, and how does her interaction with Susannah reveal key character dynamics?

      Answer:
      Avelot functions as both a companion and a source of otherworldly insight in the narrative. Her boldness is evident when she casually takes Doritos from a patient, demonstrating a disregard for social norms that Susannah immediately challenges. This interaction reveals Susannah’s protective and moral stance, while Avelot’s hunger-driven actions and indifferent attitude highlight her otherness and detachment from ordinary human behavior. Furthermore, Avelot’s calm acceptance of dire circumstances, contrasted with Susannah’s emotional turmoil over her sister Laura and their predicament, deepens the complexity of their relationship. Avelot’s cryptic knowledge about Malo Mogge and the fate of Susannah’s sister adds a mystical layer to the story, positioning her as a guide or informant in the unfolding conflict.

      3. Analyze the significance of the “key” mentioned by Avelot in the context of the chapter’s plot and themes.

      Answer:
      The “key” symbolizes a pivotal element in the struggle between life, death, and supernatural forces within the story. Avelot explains that Malo Mogge, Anabin, and Bogomil are invested in finding this key, which will determine who guards a crucial door and who will perish and return to a dark realm. This key represents control over fate and survival, directly impacting Susannah’s sister Laura and her friends. The stakes are high: failure to secure the key means death and eternal punishment by Malo Mogge. Thematically, the key embodies the tension between agency and helplessness, the battle for power over one’s destiny, and the intertwining of human and supernatural conflicts. It also propels the narrative forward, framing Susannah’s mission and the urgency of their predicament.

      4. How does Susannah’s reaction to her sister Laura’s actions deepen the emotional complexity of the chapter?

      Answer:
      Susannah’s mixed emotions toward Laura reflect a deeply conflicted and realistic sibling relationship marked by love, betrayal, and grief. She expresses anger and resentment, calling Laura a “secret-hoarding bitch” and lamenting that Laura made her do laundry, a mundane task that symbolizes the burden of their strained connection. Yet, beneath this frustration lies profound pain over Laura’s death and uncertain fate, revealing Susannah’s vulnerability and longing for resolution. This emotional complexity adds depth to the narrative by showing how personal relationships are entangled with the larger supernatural events, making the story not only about cosmic stakes but also about intimate human experiences of loss, forgiveness, and family loyalty.

      5. Considering the hospital setting and the presence of premature babies in the NICU, how does the chapter use this environment to enhance its themes?

      Answer:
      The NICU setting, with its fragile premature babies encased in glass Isolettes, serves as a powerful metaphor for vulnerability, protection, and the precariousness of life. Susannah’s mother, Ruth, works there, grounding the story in a real-world context of care and medical challenges. The chapter’s description of the babies’ delicate condition and the nurses’ dedication contrasts with the supernatural dangers faced by Susannah and her companions, reinforcing themes of survival and the fight against forces beyond human control. The hospital environment also underscores the tension between hope and despair, as the babies symbolize new beginnings and the possibility of life despite adversity, paralleling Susannah’s quest to prevent further death and destruction in her own family and beyond.

    Quotes

    • 1. “The nurses and the therapists in the NICU hadn’t had a pay raise in ten years, and the premature babies didn’t notice that the lobby now had banquettes instead of benches and sofas.”

      This quote highlights the contrast between superficial changes aimed at rebranding and the deeper, unresolved issues within the hospital, such as underpaid staff and the critical care of premature babies. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of appearances versus realities.

      2. “You can’t just make people do things.”

      “But I can,” Avelot said.

      This exchange between Susannah and Avelot captures a moment of tension concerning control and autonomy, illustrating the complex dynamics between characters and hinting at underlying supernatural or psychological powers at play.

      3. “Your sister and the others know only a small part of this, and you will not tell them, either, unless I decide that you may. It is to my advantage that they do not hold all the pieces, and I must take what advantage I can.”

      This quote reveals the strategic withholding of information within the narrative, emphasizing themes of secrecy, power struggles, and the importance of knowledge in the unfolding conflict involving Malo Mogge, Anabin, and Bogomil.

      4. “You? Nothing. There is nothing you can do.”

      Avelot’s blunt statement to Susannah underscores the feeling of helplessness in the face of overwhelming supernatural forces. It marks a pivotal moment where Susannah confronts her limitations, setting up her resolve to find a way to help despite this.

      5. “Well, I can help. I’ll figure out how to help. No more dying, and definitely no getting devoured.”

      Susannah’s defiant response to Avelot’s pessimism encapsulates the chapter’s central theme of resilience and determination. It reflects her commitment to change the dire circumstances surrounding her sister and friends, driving the narrative tension forward.

    Quotes

    1. “The nurses and the therapists in the NICU hadn’t had a pay raise in ten years, and the premature babies didn’t notice that the lobby now had banquettes instead of benches and sofas.”

    This quote highlights the contrast between superficial changes aimed at rebranding and the deeper, unresolved issues within the hospital, such as underpaid staff and the critical care of premature babies. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of appearances versus realities.

    2. “You can’t just make people do things.”

    “But I can,” Avelot said.

    This exchange between Susannah and Avelot captures a moment of tension concerning control and autonomy, illustrating the complex dynamics between characters and hinting at underlying supernatural or psychological powers at play.

    3. “Your sister and the others know only a small part of this, and you will not tell them, either, unless I decide that you may. It is to my advantage that they do not hold all the pieces, and I must take what advantage I can.”

    This quote reveals the strategic withholding of information within the narrative, emphasizing themes of secrecy, power struggles, and the importance of knowledge in the unfolding conflict involving Malo Mogge, Anabin, and Bogomil.

    4. “You? Nothing. There is nothing you can do.”

    Avelot’s blunt statement to Susannah underscores the feeling of helplessness in the face of overwhelming supernatural forces. It marks a pivotal moment where Susannah confronts her limitations, setting up her resolve to find a way to help despite this.

    5. “Well, I can help. I’ll figure out how to help. No more dying, and definitely no getting devoured.”

    Susannah’s defiant response to Avelot’s pessimism encapsulates the chapter’s central theme of resilience and determination. It reflects her commitment to change the dire circumstances surrounding her sister and friends, driving the narrative tension forward.

    FAQs

    1. How does the chapter depict the contrast between the hospital’s outward appearance and the realities faced by its staff and patients?

    Answer:
    The chapter highlights a stark contrast between the hospital’s cosmetic improvements and the ongoing struggles within. Fifteen years prior, consultants were hired to rebrand Cresthill, resulting in aesthetic upgrades like remodeled cafeterias, improved menus, and more comfortable lobby furniture such as banquettes. However, despite these surface-level changes, the NICU nurses and therapists have not received pay raises in a decade, signaling systemic neglect. Additionally, the premature babies in the NICU remain unaffected by these changes, emphasizing that the real challenges—financial constraints, staff morale, and patient care complexities—are not resolved by cosmetic updates alone. This contrast underscores themes of appearance versus reality and critiques institutional priorities.

    2. What role does Avelot play in the narrative, and how does her interaction with Susannah reveal key character dynamics?

    Answer:
    Avelot functions as both a companion and a source of otherworldly insight in the narrative. Her boldness is evident when she casually takes Doritos from a patient, demonstrating a disregard for social norms that Susannah immediately challenges. This interaction reveals Susannah’s protective and moral stance, while Avelot’s hunger-driven actions and indifferent attitude highlight her otherness and detachment from ordinary human behavior. Furthermore, Avelot’s calm acceptance of dire circumstances, contrasted with Susannah’s emotional turmoil over her sister Laura and their predicament, deepens the complexity of their relationship. Avelot’s cryptic knowledge about Malo Mogge and the fate of Susannah’s sister adds a mystical layer to the story, positioning her as a guide or informant in the unfolding conflict.

    3. Analyze the significance of the “key” mentioned by Avelot in the context of the chapter’s plot and themes.

    Answer:
    The “key” symbolizes a pivotal element in the struggle between life, death, and supernatural forces within the story. Avelot explains that Malo Mogge, Anabin, and Bogomil are invested in finding this key, which will determine who guards a crucial door and who will perish and return to a dark realm. This key represents control over fate and survival, directly impacting Susannah’s sister Laura and her friends. The stakes are high: failure to secure the key means death and eternal punishment by Malo Mogge. Thematically, the key embodies the tension between agency and helplessness, the battle for power over one’s destiny, and the intertwining of human and supernatural conflicts. It also propels the narrative forward, framing Susannah’s mission and the urgency of their predicament.

    4. How does Susannah’s reaction to her sister Laura’s actions deepen the emotional complexity of the chapter?

    Answer:
    Susannah’s mixed emotions toward Laura reflect a deeply conflicted and realistic sibling relationship marked by love, betrayal, and grief. She expresses anger and resentment, calling Laura a “secret-hoarding bitch” and lamenting that Laura made her do laundry, a mundane task that symbolizes the burden of their strained connection. Yet, beneath this frustration lies profound pain over Laura’s death and uncertain fate, revealing Susannah’s vulnerability and longing for resolution. This emotional complexity adds depth to the narrative by showing how personal relationships are entangled with the larger supernatural events, making the story not only about cosmic stakes but also about intimate human experiences of loss, forgiveness, and family loyalty.

    5. Considering the hospital setting and the presence of premature babies in the NICU, how does the chapter use this environment to enhance its themes?

    Answer:
    The NICU setting, with its fragile premature babies encased in glass Isolettes, serves as a powerful metaphor for vulnerability, protection, and the precariousness of life. Susannah’s mother, Ruth, works there, grounding the story in a real-world context of care and medical challenges. The chapter’s description of the babies’ delicate condition and the nurses’ dedication contrasts with the supernatural dangers faced by Susannah and her companions, reinforcing themes of survival and the fight against forces beyond human control. The hospital environment also underscores the tension between hope and despair, as the babies symbolize new beginnings and the possibility of life despite adversity, paralleling Susannah’s quest to prevent further death and destruction in her own family and beyond.

    Note