The Book of Love by Kelly Link Summary, Characters and Themes

The Book of Love by Kelly Link is a mesmerizing blend of magical realism, mystery, and coming-of-age drama. Set in the eerie seaside town of Lovesend, Massachusetts, it explores themes of resurrection, love, loss, and identity. 

The story follows three teenagers—Laura, Daniel, and Mo—who mysteriously return to life a year after being presumed dead. They must unravel the mystery of their deaths, complete magical tasks set by their enigmatic music teacher, and confront supernatural forces while grappling with their fractured relationships. Through surreal yet poignant storytelling, Link crafts a tale that explores the complexities of life, death, and the enduring power of love.

Summary

The story opens in the small seaside town of Lovesend, Massachusetts, where three teenagers—Laura, Daniel, and Mo—suddenly return after having been presumed dead for nearly a year. Their unexpected reappearance shocks the town, but most people seem unaware of their mysterious absence. 

The only one who notices something strange is Laura’s grief-stricken sister, Susannah, who has spent the past year mourning Daniel, her former boyfriend.

Laura, Daniel, and Mo have no memory of how they died or what happened during their disappearance. 

Their return to life is orchestrated by their once-unremarkable high school music teacher, Mr. Anabin, who reveals that their resurrection comes at a cost. He offers them a bargain: in order to keep their new lives, they must complete a series of magical tasks. 

These tasks are tied to an ancient conflict between powerful cosmic beings, including the enigmatic Moon Goddess, who holds sway over life and death. The stakes are high, and the teens are warned that failure could result in dire consequences—not just for them, but for the entire town.

As the teens attempt to reintegrate into their old lives, they quickly realize that their resurrection has brought unintended consequences. 

Strange supernatural figures begin to appear in Lovesend, drawn by the magic that brought the teens back. These figures, including rival gods and ancient magicians, each have their own agendas and seem to be vying for control over the Moon Goddess’s power. 

Caught in the middle of this cosmic battle, the teens must navigate not only the magical tasks given to them but also the emotional turmoil of returning to a world that moved on without them.

Laura struggles to reconnect with Susannah, who is both relieved and haunted by her return. Their relationship is further complicated by Susannah’s unresolved feelings for Daniel, who has his own secrets and regrets. 

Mo, often the voice of reason and comic relief, grapples with the absurdity of their situation while trying to make sense of his second chance at life.

As the teens delve deeper into the mystery of their deaths, they learn that their music teacher, Mr. Anabin, is more than he seems. 

He is one of the ancient magicians responsible for the original conflict with the Moon Goddess centuries ago. He hopes to end the feud by using the teens to complete a ritual that will restore balance between life and death. 

However, there is a catch—there will be winners and losers in this magical game, and not everyone will get to keep their second chance at life.

The story reaches a climax when the Moon Goddess herself appears in Lovesend. Capricious and powerful, she demands the return of her stolen magic, threatening to unravel the fabric of reality if her wishes are not met. 

The teens must confront her in a surreal and dreamlike final battle, where they are forced to choose between saving themselves or making the ultimate sacrifice to protect their loved ones and the town.

In the end, the resolution is ambiguous. Some of the teens manage to hold onto their new lives, while others are left in limbo, their fates unclear. The story closes on a melancholic yet hopeful note, emphasizing that love—whether between family, friends, or romantic partners—persists beyond life and death. 

It is both a mystery and a gift, fleeting yet eternal, much like the magic that permeates the town of Lovesend.

Characters

Laura

Laura is one of the central characters in The Book of Love, and her personality is defined by her practicality and reserved nature. She has a strong sense of responsibility and often serves as the grounding force for the group.

As someone who has been resurrected, she is acutely aware of her second chance at life, and much of her internal struggle revolves around trying to understand the meaning and purpose behind her return. She is a member of a band along with her sister Susannah, and music serves as an important part of her identity.

Her relationship with Susannah is strained, with Laura often taking on a more protective, mature role in the dynamic. The mystery surrounding her death, and the circumstances of her resurrection, create tension within her as she attempts to reconcile her past life with the present.

Her emotional growth throughout the story speaks to themes of resilience, love, and loss. Laura’s journey is one of finding peace with the uncertainty of life after death.

Susannah

Susannah is Laura’s wild and emotionally intense sister, whose grief and unresolved feelings significantly impact the story. Unlike Laura, Susannah is more impulsive and acts out her emotions in a way that complicates her relationships, particularly with Daniel.

Her deep, unrequited love for Daniel creates much of the emotional tension between the characters, especially as their relationships evolve in the wake of the mystery surrounding their deaths. Susannah’s grief over the loss of both her sister and her love (Daniel) is one of the key emotional drivers of the narrative.

As the story progresses, Susannah is forced to navigate not just the supernatural elements at play but also the complicated dynamics within her family and her own emotional turmoil. Her journey is one of healing and reconciling her past, which is inseparable from the larger magical struggle that unfolds around her.

Daniel

Daniel is another central character who, like Laura, was resurrected and is struggling with the aftermath of his death. He is loyal, earnest, and somewhat charismatic, but beneath the surface, Daniel is deeply conflicted about the situation he finds himself in.

His romantic history with Susannah complicates matters, especially since he is forced to deal with the consequences of his past decisions in light of his second chance at life. Throughout the story, Daniel is portrayed as a leader within the group, often stepping up to make decisions and take action.

However, his inner conflict is palpable as he searches for answers to the mystery of their deaths. He feels the weight of responsibility not just for himself but for the others involved in their resurrection.

Daniel’s personal journey revolves around reconciling his past actions, his feelings for Susannah, and his new reality where the boundaries between life, death, and magic blur.

Mo

Mo brings a sense of humor and levity to the story, serving as both comic relief and a source of wisdom. Though Mo is often sarcastic and appears to take a more laid-back approach to the challenges they face, there is a depth to his character that is revealed as the narrative progresses.

He is deeply connected to both Laura and Susannah, though his relationship with them is complex. Mo’s perspective on life and death is influenced by his experiences, which have shaped his worldview.

His ability to offer insight and provide a sense of perspective to the group is invaluable, and he stands as a pillar of emotional support when needed. His background, including the standout chapter from the perspective of his deceased grandmother, highlights the intricate layers of his character and the broader themes of love and loss.

Mo’s role in the story is integral to the group’s dynamic, and he offers a voice of reason amidst the chaos of their resurrection and the larger cosmic struggles at play.

Mr. Anabin

The music teacher, Mr. Anabin, plays a pivotal role in the plot. Initially appearing as a seemingly ordinary high school teacher, his true nature is far more complex and enigmatic.

Mr. Anabin is revealed to have deep ties to the supernatural world, and his involvement in the characters’ resurrection is part of a larger, cosmic scheme. As an ancient magician tied to the larger magical conflict involving the Moon Goddess, he orchestrates the resurrection of the teens as part of his plan to resolve an age-old feud.

His motivations are shrouded in mystery, and his actions reflect his long-held desire to set things right, though the moral implications of his choices are unclear. He is a catalyst for the group’s journey into the magical conflict, and his role as a mentor and guide is crucial.

Mr. Anabin represents a morally gray figure, whose actions blur the line between right and wrong in the face of larger cosmic forces.

Themes

The Cosmic Interplay Between Mortality and Immortality

In The Book of Love, one of the central themes explored is the tension between mortality and immortality. The narrative questions the value of life, both fleeting and infinite, through the characters’ resurrection and the magic that keeps them tethered to a world they no longer fully understand.

The characters—Mo, Daniel, and Laura—return from the dead but find themselves stuck in a liminal space, uncertain about their place in a world where time and death no longer follow their natural course. This resurrection serves as both a gift and a curse, highlighting the emotional complexities of second chances.

The characters must grapple with the fact that their lives are not truly their own, as they are caught in a cosmic struggle between gods and ancient magic. The ancient wizards, too, seek immortality through magic, but they fail to realize that true power lies not in eternal life but in the fleeting moments of human existence.

This dichotomy of life versus death runs through the narrative, suggesting that the beauty and depth of human existence can only be truly appreciated because of its impermanence.

The Intricacies of Love, Grief, and Emotional Legacy

The theme of love in The Book of Love is multi-faceted, exploring not only romantic love but also familial bonds, friendships, and the emotional aftermath of grief. The resurrection of the main characters forces them to reckon with the relationships they left behind.

Laura and Susannah’s relationship, for example, is complicated by grief and unresolved emotions, especially after Susannah’s intense love for Daniel. This grief manifests throughout the book, haunting the characters as they attempt to rebuild their lives.

The power of love is depicted as both a source of strength and vulnerability—while love binds the characters together, it also exposes their deepest fears and desires. The concept of love transcends the romantic realm, evolving into an exploration of loss, abandonment, and the emotional toll that comes with death and resurrection.

As the characters face their second chance at life, they must confront the emotional scars left by their untimely deaths and the way these scars shape their future relationships. In doing so, the novel showcases the idea that love is not a singular experience but one that is deeply interwoven with loss and emotional inheritance.

The Unseen Forces of Fate and the Unpredictable Power of Free Will

Another prominent theme in The Book of Love revolves around the tension between fate and free will. The characters are caught in a web of magical forces beyond their control, yet they must still make choices that will determine their fates.

The resurrected teens have been returned to life as part of a larger, cosmic scheme that they don’t fully understand. They are manipulated by the whims of their music teacher, who plays a central role in their resurrection, and by the gods, whose motives remain unclear.

Despite these external pressures, the characters are faced with choices that will ultimately shape their future. The presence of the mysterious fourth person further complicates the situation, suggesting that fate is not always a linear path and that free will can be both an illusion and a source of power.

As the teens work through their magical tasks, they come to realize that their actions—while seemingly determined by external forces—are crucial to the outcome of the conflict. The story suggests that while cosmic forces and fate may govern the larger scheme of the universe, the small choices made by individuals still have the potential to disrupt or alter these grand narratives.

A Metaphor for Human Existence and Transformation

Magic in The Book of Love is not merely an external force used for manipulation or control, but also a metaphor for human transformation and the mysteries of life and death. The magical elements of the story, including the resurrection, the tasks the characters must complete, and the ancient feud involving the Moon Goddess, are intricately tied to the characters’ own journeys of self-discovery.

Magic is portrayed as unpredictable, sometimes terrifying, and often incomprehensible. The characters, much like the readers, are left to navigate a surreal world where supernatural events are woven seamlessly into the fabric of their everyday lives.

This uncertainty mirrors the larger existential questions the novel poses about the nature of life itself. The magic in the story is not fully explained, suggesting that not everything in life can be understood or controlled.

The characters must learn to accept the strange, dreamlike quality of the world they inhabit, coming to terms with the fact that some mysteries are too vast and complex for the human mind to grasp. In this sense, magic becomes a symbol for the mysteries of existence—its unpredictability, its ability to transform, and its capacity to bind individuals together in a shared experience of wonder and fear.

The Paradox of Second Chances: Redemption vs. Oblivion

The theme of second chances in The Book of Love is a powerful narrative force that underscores the complexity of redemption. The resurrection of the three main characters offers them a rare opportunity to rewrite the past, but this second chance is laden with paradoxes.

While the characters have been given a chance to return to life, they are caught in a situation that is beyond their control, with little memory of their deaths or the reasons behind their resurrection. The mystery of their deaths, intertwined with the ancient magical war, makes it unclear whether their return is truly an opportunity for redemption or a doomed cycle that cannot be broken.

Throughout the novel, the characters struggle with their desires to return to their old lives, even as they realize that their resurrection may come at a high cost—not only to themselves but to the people they love. The narrative constantly questions whether redemption is truly possible for these characters, or if they are destined to repeat the mistakes of the past.

This theme resonates deeply with the idea of second chances in real life—how they come with heavy consequences, the danger of repeating past mistakes, and the uncertainty of whether redemption is achievable at all. Ultimately, the novel suggests that while second chances are precious, they are not always the salvation one hopes for, and sometimes, oblivion might be the only true escape from a past that cannot be fully understood or healed.

The Ambiguous Nature of Memory, Identity, and Personal History

In The Book of Love, the characters’ struggles with memory, identity, and personal history reflect the larger questions of what it means to be truly “alive” after death. Their resurrection places them in a state of disconnection from their former selves.

Without memories of their deaths, they are forced to rebuild their identities from the fragments of their previous lives. This theme is particularly potent in the relationship between Laura and her sister, Susannah, whose memories of their shared past are at odds with the present reality they now face.

Memory is portrayed as both fragile and unreliable, a theme that is amplified by the supernatural nature of the characters’ resurrection. The presence of the mysterious fourth person further complicates the characters’ understanding of who they are and where they belong, as this individual’s identity and motivations remain elusive.

Throughout the novel, the idea of personal history becomes malleable, as the characters’ understanding of their pasts shapes their present choices. The narrative suggests that identity is not fixed but a construct shaped by memory, perception, and the experiences one goes through.

The characters’ struggles to reconcile who they were with who they are now highlight the tension between the past and the present, making memory a crucial yet elusive force that influences every aspect of their journey.