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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 Thomas 3

    by Link, Kelly

    The chap­ter opens with Thomas reflect­ing on the unex­pect­ed turns his night has tak­en, con­trast­ing them with the long cen­turies of pre­dictable servi­tude under Malo Mogge. Once dri­ven by a sin­gu­lar desire to kill Avelot, Thomas has expe­ri­enced a tumul­tuous exis­tence filled with moments of vio­lence, plea­sure, and pain. His jour­ney has been marked by an uneasy bar­gain with Malo Mogge, a pow­er­ful fig­ure who has con­trolled much of his fate. Yet, in the seem­ing­ly insignif­i­cant town of Lovesend, Thomas con­fronts Avelot once again, chal­leng­ing his loy­al­ty and stir­ring long-dor­mant emo­tions beneath his hard­ened exte­ri­or.

    Thomas’s com­pli­cat­ed rela­tion­ships come to the fore as he nav­i­gates his inter­ac­tions with Malo Mogge and Mo. His dal­liance with Mo ends in rejec­tion, under­scor­ing Thomas’s vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty despite his cen­turies of expe­ri­ence. The pres­ence of a dop­pel­gänger, Jen­ny, adds anoth­er lay­er of com­plex­i­ty, hint­ing at Malo Mogge’s manip­u­la­tions and the blurred lines between friend and foe. Thomas’s desire for recog­ni­tion and apol­o­gy from Mo reveals a rare soft­ness, con­trast­ing with the usu­al fear oth­ers exhib­it toward him. These per­son­al dynam­ics deep­en the nar­ra­tive, high­light­ing Thomas’s inter­nal con­flicts and the frag­ile nature of his alliances.

    The set­ting shifts to the Cliff Hangar, Malo Mogge’s cho­sen res­i­dence, where rem­nants of past vio­lence linger. The scene of blood­shed and trans­for­ma­tion reflects the ongo­ing tur­moil in their lives. Malo Mogge’s plans to refur­bish the space evoke mem­o­ries of a Mal­ibu house from the 1960s, blend­ing nos­tal­gia with present chaos. Their con­ver­sa­tion about fur­nish­ing the hangar reveals a strained cama­raderie, with Malo Mogge teas­ing Thomas while propos­ing a joint hunt for Avelot. This pro­pos­al chal­lenges the orig­i­nal agree­ment that Thomas alone should kill Avelot, set­ting the stage for ten­sion and col­lab­o­ra­tion.

    Ulti­mate­ly, Malo Mogge express­es con­cern for Thomas’s well-being, sug­gest­ing a part­ner­ship to find and con­front Avelot togeth­er. She offers him a mys­te­ri­ous, heavy knife as a token of her affec­tion and sup­port, indi­cat­ing a shift in their rela­tion­ship and the stakes involved. Thomas’s accep­tance of her help, despite his reser­va­tions, sig­nals a reluc­tant but nec­es­sary alliance. The chap­ter clos­es with a sense of antic­i­pa­tion, as Thomas pre­pares to face the for­mi­da­ble chal­lenges ahead, bound by duty, loy­al­ty, and the unre­solved enmi­ty sur­round­ing Avelot.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Thomas’s relationship with Malo Mogge reflect his internal conflict throughout the chapter?

      Answer:
      Thomas’s relationship with Malo Mogge is complex and fraught with tension, reflecting his internal conflict. He has been Malo Mogge’s creature and servant for centuries, bound by a bargain that granted him life but also imposed servitude. Throughout the chapter, Thomas oscillates between obedience and rebellion—he disobeys Malo Mogge by threatening to leave her service and keeping secrets from her. This tension reveals his struggle between submission and autonomy. Despite his apparent cynicism and weariness, he still values Malo Mogge’s favor, as seen when he accepts her offer to help hunt Avelot and receives a weapon from her. This dynamic illustrates his deep ambivalence, caught between duty, desire for independence, and the vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior.

      2. What role does the setting of Lovesend and the Cliff Hangar play in the narrative, and how do they contribute to the story’s atmosphere?

      Answer:
      Lovesend and the Cliff Hangar serve as crucial backdrops that enhance the narrative’s mood and thematic depth. Lovesend is described as an inconsequential place where significant events unfold—Thomas finds Avelot there, leading to pivotal confrontations and shifts in his journey. The Cliff Hangar, in contrast, is a place of transformation and decay, with its interior fixtures removed and bloodstains hinting at past violence. The hangar’s refurbishment in the style of a 1960s Malibu house evokes nostalgia and lost time, paralleling Thomas’s own reflections on his long, turbulent existence. Together, these settings create an atmosphere of eerie stillness punctuated by undercurrents of danger and change, emphasizing themes of memory, loss, and the inescapability of past bargains.

      3. Analyze the significance of the bargain between Thomas and Malo Mogge concerning the killing of Avelot. How does this bargain shape the characters’ motivations and the plot?

      Answer:
      The bargain between Thomas and Malo Mogge—that Thomas is to kill Avelot—serves as a central driving force in the chapter, shaping both character motivations and plot progression. This agreement places Thomas in a position of responsibility and agency, but also limits him, as Malo Mogge expects him to fulfill this task alone. Thomas’s insistence on killing Avelot himself highlights his need for personal satisfaction and ownership of his actions, distinguishing his motivations from Malo Mogge’s more detached desire for sport or control. Malo Mogge’s offer to assist and provide a weapon complicates the bargain, revealing her concern for Thomas’s safety and acknowledging Avelot’s formidable power. This dynamic tension propels the narrative forward, underscoring themes of loyalty, power, and the consequences of ancient pacts.

      4. What does Thomas’s interaction with Mo reveal about his emotional state and his capacity for vulnerability?

      Answer:
      Thomas’s interactions with Mo reveal a rare glimpse of vulnerability beneath his otherwise hardened and cynical exterior. Being sent away by Mo twice is described as vexing and painful, suggesting that Thomas values Mo’s presence and approval more than he openly admits. His willingness to consider returning if Mo were to apologize indicates a deep emotional need for reconciliation and connection. Furthermore, Thomas almost shares the secret of his doppelgänger with Mo, implying a desire for intimacy and trust. These moments contrast sharply with Thomas’s usual role as a servant and hunter, revealing that despite centuries of experience and hardship, he remains emotionally tender and affected by rejection and loss.

      5. How does Malo Mogge’s characterization through her appearance and behavior contribute to the reader’s understanding of her role and personality?

      Answer:
      Malo Mogge’s characterization through vivid descriptions of her appearance and behavior enriches the reader’s understanding of her enigmatic and powerful nature. Her black silk pajamas paired with scabrous flamingo-pink wings that are molting and stained with rum evoke a blend of elegance, decay, and unpredictability. This imagery suggests a being both alluring and dangerous, with a wild, untamed aspect. Her casual tone and playful teasing, such as calling Thomas boring or discussing interior decoration, contrast with the serious power she wields, highlighting her complexity. Malo Mogge’s mixture of fondness, menace, and control positions her as a dominant figure whose motivations and emotions are layered, making her both a formidable antagonist and a complicated ally within the narrative.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Perhaps it was simply that, for so long, nothing much had seemed to happen that mattered in any real way.”

      This quote reveals Thomas’s existential weariness and the sense of stagnation that has defined much of his long existence, setting the emotional tone for the chapter and highlighting his internal conflict.

      2. “I have no preference. Besides, in the end you will do as you like.”

      Thomas’s resigned response to Malo Mogge’s question about the conversation pit reflects his complex relationship with her—marked by a mix of submission, detachment, and underlying tension.

      3. “According to the terms of our deal, I am the one who gets to kill her. I worry you are under a misapprehension that you killing her would be just as good. But you don’t have my reasons, and so neither would you have my satisfaction.”

      This passage underscores Thomas’s insistence on agency and personal motivation in fulfilling his deadly task, emphasizing the importance of intention and meaning behind actions rather than mere outcomes.

      4. “She brought harm to you and your brother, Thomas, but she diminished me. She closed the door against me.”

      Malo Mogge’s admission here reveals the deeper stakes of their conflict with Avelot, indicating that the struggle is not only personal but also metaphysical, involving power, betrayal, and loss.

      5. “Moreover, I will give you a weapon, Thomas, because of my great love for you.”

      This moment marks a turning point where Malo Mogge offers tangible support and expresses affection, signifying a shift in their dynamic and setting the stage for the next phase of Thomas’s quest.

    Quotes

    1. “Perhaps it was simply that, for so long, nothing much had seemed to happen that mattered in any real way.”

    This quote reveals Thomas’s existential weariness and the sense of stagnation that has defined much of his long existence, setting the emotional tone for the chapter and highlighting his internal conflict.

    2. “I have no preference. Besides, in the end you will do as you like.”

    Thomas’s resigned response to Malo Mogge’s question about the conversation pit reflects his complex relationship with her—marked by a mix of submission, detachment, and underlying tension.

    3. “According to the terms of our deal, I am the one who gets to kill her. I worry you are under a misapprehension that you killing her would be just as good. But you don’t have my reasons, and so neither would you have my satisfaction.”

    This passage underscores Thomas’s insistence on agency and personal motivation in fulfilling his deadly task, emphasizing the importance of intention and meaning behind actions rather than mere outcomes.

    4. “She brought harm to you and your brother, Thomas, but she diminished me. She closed the door against me.”

    Malo Mogge’s admission here reveals the deeper stakes of their conflict with Avelot, indicating that the struggle is not only personal but also metaphysical, involving power, betrayal, and loss.

    5. “Moreover, I will give you a weapon, Thomas, because of my great love for you.”

    This moment marks a turning point where Malo Mogge offers tangible support and expresses affection, signifying a shift in their dynamic and setting the stage for the next phase of Thomas’s quest.

    FAQs

    1. How does Thomas’s relationship with Malo Mogge reflect his internal conflict throughout the chapter?

    Answer:
    Thomas’s relationship with Malo Mogge is complex and fraught with tension, reflecting his internal conflict. He has been Malo Mogge’s creature and servant for centuries, bound by a bargain that granted him life but also imposed servitude. Throughout the chapter, Thomas oscillates between obedience and rebellion—he disobeys Malo Mogge by threatening to leave her service and keeping secrets from her. This tension reveals his struggle between submission and autonomy. Despite his apparent cynicism and weariness, he still values Malo Mogge’s favor, as seen when he accepts her offer to help hunt Avelot and receives a weapon from her. This dynamic illustrates his deep ambivalence, caught between duty, desire for independence, and the vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior.

    2. What role does the setting of Lovesend and the Cliff Hangar play in the narrative, and how do they contribute to the story’s atmosphere?

    Answer:
    Lovesend and the Cliff Hangar serve as crucial backdrops that enhance the narrative’s mood and thematic depth. Lovesend is described as an inconsequential place where significant events unfold—Thomas finds Avelot there, leading to pivotal confrontations and shifts in his journey. The Cliff Hangar, in contrast, is a place of transformation and decay, with its interior fixtures removed and bloodstains hinting at past violence. The hangar’s refurbishment in the style of a 1960s Malibu house evokes nostalgia and lost time, paralleling Thomas’s own reflections on his long, turbulent existence. Together, these settings create an atmosphere of eerie stillness punctuated by undercurrents of danger and change, emphasizing themes of memory, loss, and the inescapability of past bargains.

    3. Analyze the significance of the bargain between Thomas and Malo Mogge concerning the killing of Avelot. How does this bargain shape the characters’ motivations and the plot?

    Answer:
    The bargain between Thomas and Malo Mogge—that Thomas is to kill Avelot—serves as a central driving force in the chapter, shaping both character motivations and plot progression. This agreement places Thomas in a position of responsibility and agency, but also limits him, as Malo Mogge expects him to fulfill this task alone. Thomas’s insistence on killing Avelot himself highlights his need for personal satisfaction and ownership of his actions, distinguishing his motivations from Malo Mogge’s more detached desire for sport or control. Malo Mogge’s offer to assist and provide a weapon complicates the bargain, revealing her concern for Thomas’s safety and acknowledging Avelot’s formidable power. This dynamic tension propels the narrative forward, underscoring themes of loyalty, power, and the consequences of ancient pacts.

    4. What does Thomas’s interaction with Mo reveal about his emotional state and his capacity for vulnerability?

    Answer:
    Thomas’s interactions with Mo reveal a rare glimpse of vulnerability beneath his otherwise hardened and cynical exterior. Being sent away by Mo twice is described as vexing and painful, suggesting that Thomas values Mo’s presence and approval more than he openly admits. His willingness to consider returning if Mo were to apologize indicates a deep emotional need for reconciliation and connection. Furthermore, Thomas almost shares the secret of his doppelgänger with Mo, implying a desire for intimacy and trust. These moments contrast sharply with Thomas’s usual role as a servant and hunter, revealing that despite centuries of experience and hardship, he remains emotionally tender and affected by rejection and loss.

    5. How does Malo Mogge’s characterization through her appearance and behavior contribute to the reader’s understanding of her role and personality?

    Answer:
    Malo Mogge’s characterization through vivid descriptions of her appearance and behavior enriches the reader’s understanding of her enigmatic and powerful nature. Her black silk pajamas paired with scabrous flamingo-pink wings that are molting and stained with rum evoke a blend of elegance, decay, and unpredictability. This imagery suggests a being both alluring and dangerous, with a wild, untamed aspect. Her casual tone and playful teasing, such as calling Thomas boring or discussing interior decoration, contrast with the serious power she wields, highlighting her complexity. Malo Mogge’s mixture of fondness, menace, and control positions her as a dominant figure whose motivations and emotions are layered, making her both a formidable antagonist and a complicated ally within the narrative.

    Note