The writing itself was good! The kids in the books house are the outcasts and people try to hide them and forget them. And I feel thatthose who said he glamourised residential schools in the bookare doing so in incredibly bad faith since the whole point of the book tries to make is that such state-run facilities are bad. While I do love fantasy as a genre, thats not why I loved The House on the Cerulean Sea. TJ Klune, 2019. About TJ. It is short, accessible, and easy to get through. Cookie Notice The 2021 RUSA Reading List: Fantasy Winner! While people do gravitate towards colours for subjective reasons, and some don't even notice what colour they are wearing, it has become increasingly hard to distance yourself. Now, I must say that Im disappointed that I just couldnt do it. It was about this time that Linus felt his vision gray yet again at the thought ofof this child. MUCH. ', "'He didn't,' J-Bone said. more Tor Books Paperback December 2020 400 Pages 9781250217318 Buy the Book $18.99 About the Author Praise Discussion Questions Excerpt And Mr Klunes detractors believe they are combating some harm that he is doing with his little fantasy novel. Who is just a regular person in a world where magic exists. Profiting from both the cultural and literal genocide of indigenous people. At the end of the day, this is a fantasy novel that can satisfy many readers, even if they're not usually fantasy fans. And all of that can be true, and you can still like the book and the story. 'I loved it. 'Likely to cause heart-swelling' - Washington Post 'A modern fairy tale . Sure, we can say that it is unreasonable (trivialising, even) to fantasise about how one man is able to dismantle systemic racism with a little help from some of his friends, but I would say it is equally unreasonable to believe that by directing hate to an author who wrote a book which is only tenuously linked to a tragedy that had befallen First Nation people, they have done even the least bit of good for them. I am parched parchment. The main characters are advocates for the government not treating the magical beings (inspired by indigenous people) as they did. He couldnt believe that such a creature existed without his knowledge. His fantasy novel The House in the Cerulean Sea is a New York Times best seller and winner of the 2021 Alex and Mythopoeic Awards.Klune has spoken about how his asexuality influences his writing. I wish there were pictures of the 7 creatures. We must believe that all of us are, by and large, good people. Theyre a story. Powerful Stories About Martin Luther King Jr. Common Sense Media. He has lived his life according to the rules, until he is sent on a special project to Marsyas Island Orphanage - home to . The argument for that accusation, if I follow their logic correctly, is that since Linus is a regular human interacting with an underclass of magic beings, he is a stand-in for white people (even though he has as much a chance of being white as Talia or Lucy, who are magical children). He couldnt believe that such a creature existed without his knowledge. , Ha ok good to knowbut.you just lost me at little gnome girl. "The House in the Cerulean Sea" by TJ Klune Courtesy of MacMillan Publishers Jolie Hughes of Morgan Hill Bookstore in New London, N.H. has a recommendation for people who want a summer read that . Brittle and thin. Same spirit, new stories. [9] His motivation for this first book came from a realization of the poor, often offensive stereotypes of queer characters within stories. I suspect I am liable to dislocate a shoulder if I try to reach as far as that. It's the type of book that reminds you of being outside on a sunny day with a cool breeze blowing through. Locked post. Why I Stopped Reading The House in the Cerulean Sea {TJ Klune}But You Shouldnt! As the narrative utilizes a limited third-person perspective, the reader's understanding of the world of the novel is filtered through him. I really liked the children characters, especially Lucy who could be both mischievous and vulnerable. Why bother? The House in the Cerulean Sea. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is an uplifting, heart-warming fantasy tale that's become a New York Times, USA Today and Washington Post bestseller. What a beautiful and insightful comment! Loading. There are many villains in the world, and I remain unconvinced that T. J. Klune is one of them. Here are three reasons "The House in the Cerulean Sea" is just as great as everyone says. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. Families can talk about the setup of of kids with unusual powers gathered together in an orphanage in The House in the Cerulean Sea. The House in the Cerulean Sea Travis Klune 2021-09-16 An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place - and realizing that family could be yours. Also easier to follow than some other fantasy books Ive read. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Id love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Learn more. Poignant, funny medieval tale skewers ignorance, bigotry. Its estimated that over 20,000 indigenous children were taken, and it wasnt until 2017 that the families of those affected reached a financial settlement with the Canadian government totaling over eight hundred million dollars. The House in the Cerulean Sea is brilliant and gentle, the narrative slipping on like a well-worn sweater while performing a certain magic that makes it all feel fresh. This ultimately resulted in T. J. Klune, a prominent queer author, wanting to commit suicide during Pride Month and needing to up his dose of antidepressants to cope. The following summaries about the house in the cerulean sea controversy will help you make more personal choices about more accurate and faster information. And I reaaaaaaally wasnt enjoying this one. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. And you know what? This exclusive trade paperback edition of The House on the Cerulean Sea includes gorgeous full-color stenciled edges matching the beautiful cover design.. A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER! His fantasy novel The House in the Cerulean Sea is a New York Times best seller and winner of the 2021 Alex and Mythopoeic Awards. You can help us help kids by So what if I, an adult, want to indulge in a daydream in which my Sword of Destiny is my good intentions, and believeeven for just a few hundred pages that if I wield it sincerely and earnestly enough, I can defeat deeply entrenched systemic issues of bigotry and discrimination in just a couple of weeks? I have holes. In Summary of The House in the Cerulean Sea. Linus faints dead away on reading the first file, belonging to Lucy (short for Lucifer), the 6-year-old reputed to be the child of Satan, but as time passes and he investigates further, he starts, for the first time, to question some of the things Extremely Upper Management has been telling him about these kids. I read this book for the first time in the early weeks of the pandemic, just after it was published, and found the sweet story to be a simply enjoyable read. Privacy Policy. That's page 1. The goal was for primarily white, middle-class families across Canada, the US, and even Europeto adopt these children. And Mr Klunes detractors believe they are combating some harm that he is doing with his little fantasy novel. We won't share this comment without your permission. Now what does this mean for the other 2 fantasy books that I will be (forcing myself?) How Do I Protect My Young Child from Cyberbullying? Linus Baker. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. You can like the book and the author and still feel uneasy about the inspiration. Its the best book I read this yearand I suspect it will remain, always, one of the sweetest books I have ever read. A really lovely book for middle grade, YA, and adult readers! Maybe I just find the idea of fantasy heroes being no different from you and I to be appealing, and can identify better with a protagonist who isonly able to do things that I can do. 'Why do you sound like that? Its the same reason why Mr Klune wrote the book, why I love the book, and why they hate the book. Also, an attraction that cannot be denied is building between him and Arthur Parnassus, though he's doing his best to deny it. Maybe pictures would have helped me to want to continue reading?? Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). So does ambition when it interferes with kindness. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, published 2020 *Mr. He is sent on a secret mission to the remote island of Hesperides, home to an orphanage for magical children. The Time Travelers Wife is an example of a book like this and that book is most definitely fantasy! Thank you for this insightful comment! The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected placeand realizing that family is yours. Linus learns that home is more of a feeling than a place. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Follow. Please refer to the information below. The heartwarming, imaginative story follows a caseworker on an island of magical youth. One common thread I see is that many who are angry at Mr Klune did not even realise that he was drawing inspiration from the Sixties Scoop initially, with some even saying that they adored the book before they learned about that unseen aspect of it. In much the same way, I think the people who have picketed and railed against The House of the Cerulean Sea in recent weeks probably also hold the sincere belief that they are doing something good and positive. In practice, it's more like assessing how dangerous they are, and taking a hard look at the methods of Arthur Parnassus, the headmaster. And I feel thatthose who said he glamourised residential schools in the bookare doing so in incredibly bad faith since the whole point of the book tries to make is that such state-run facilities are bad. In fact, its a brilliant piece an of social commentary that insightfully tackles how otherness shows up in the so-called civilized world. I didnt see anyallusionsin the texteitherand read it as an allegory for discrimination against queer people. The girl isnt levitating anything, its a metaphor for a hobby or belief that society doesnt approve of, or something she would get made fun of. If you love (can tolorate?) Reblogged this on Salvation and Shenanigans. Just like I always tell all of you to do! Change). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. On its own. Get me wet, and I melt. Already I wasnt into it but I decided to keep reading. His novel Into This River I Drown won the Lambda Literary Award for . So the book begins with a girl levitating blocks above her head. if Im wrong. "The House in the Cerulean Sea is a heart-swelling wave of sweetness and hope. A burning secret. T he house in the title of T J Klune's fantasy is an orphanage controlled by the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY), located on an island of the coast of a very remote village. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. (LogOut/ The story follows Linus Baker, a 40-year-old Case Worker from the Department in Charge of Magical Youths as he travels to this highly classified location, burdened with the task of figuring out if the children are being adequately cared for (and if they, particularly Lucy, are likely to bring about the end of the world). Its a fantastical story but one that has its feetsomewhatrooted in reality, compared to THITCS. Like-minded people building it up to a roar. Theyre a story. "1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of Soulless [2] The book is about a man named Linus Baker who travels to Marsyas Island as a representative of the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. SO. Queer romantic fiction and fantasy writer (born 1982). I so appreciate you sharing another perspective. TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries, and more. So I stopped reading. I think it is also important to believe that no matter how imperfect or flawed we are, we are still capable of making meaningful changes to the world we live in. Again, I am not opposed to anyone wanting to read whatever it is they want into any text but I just want to spend a minute here to ask ourselves: what harm are we averting, mitigating, or neutralising here exactly by attacking Mr Klune? She is an Army veteran, an avid reader, and designs book-themed stickers for her Etsy shop.Say hi to Katherine at. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's importantnow more than everto have accurate, positive queer representation in stories. As Linus's adventures at The House in the Cerulean Sea continue, both he and the reader are drawn into its world, delighted by its residents, and more and more inclined to doubt the prejudice that finds them so dangerous. to read? But the children arent the only secret the island keeps. I usually blog each morning while my son takes an online class but last week I traded that in for daily breakfast in bed with my daughter while we snuggled up to watch iCarly. The magical-being kids are being isolated from humans, who mostly want to kill them, and prejudice comes in for expert skewering. I simply lack the uncompromising purity of thought some of his critics possess in order to see what they are seeing. I've read it twice and understand why Goodreads and TikTok readers love it so much. "The House in the Cerulean Sea" is a beautiful fantasy story that begins with Linus Baker, a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, who has just been assigned a top-secret case. He wanted to be able to write a novel that had an accurate representation of queer relationships, that were not stereotypical, instead were seen as relatable and positive. Imprint Publisher Tor Books ISBN 9781250217318 Reading Guide Organize a Book Club In The News A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER! I am but paper, and though there are many like me, none are exactly the same. Yes! The story follows Linus Baker, a 40-year-old Case Worker from the Department in Charge of Magical Youths as he travels to this highly classified location, burdened with the task of figuring out if the children are being adequately cared for (and if they, particularly Lucy, are likely to bring about the end of the world). [1] He was eight years old when he first began to write fiction. And if I can offer any criticism of The House in the Cerulean Sea, its that the book is pure wish fulfillment. This is why we have driven this gay man tothoughts of suicide? He wrote a general story about discrimination and kindness using magical children as his allegorical stand in for marginalised people, a concept he conceived of even beforehe stumbled on the history residential schools. It comes from a place of anger and an unhappiness at the state of the world, and a sincere wish to right the wrongs we see. . Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not theyre likely to bring about the end of days. A 2021 Alex Award winner! But the fact that there was a weapon of mass destruction in the body of a six-year-old and the world wasnt prepared was simply shocking. In the epilogue of The House in the Cerulean Sea, the author seems to be setting up a potential sequel, and frankly, because of this, I'm a bit annoyed after finding out there's no sequel planned for the book.. In order to compare the two books I will first analyze them separately before taking a look at them side by side. Who do you think does it best? Linus thought about giving him another bump on the head with a well-placed kick, but his shoulder hurt, and he had exerted enough energy for the time being. The parents' guide to what's in this book. Browse titles with similar subject matter. Linus Baker is a social worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. There he meets the mysterious Mr. Bellows, who runs the mysterious facility that houses six very quirky kids. Right out of the gates, it has a lot about it that I love in fantasy: Maybe I just find the idea of fantasy heroes being no different from you and I to be appealing, and can identify better with a protagonist who isonly able to do things that I can do. Kindness beats all evil!! I have holes. So what if I, an adult, want to indulge in a daydream in which my Sword of Destiny is my good intentions, and believeeven for just a few hundred pages that if I wield it sincerely and earnestly enough, I can defeat deeply entrenched systemic issues of bigotry and discrimination in just a couple of weeks? The Alex Awards are given to books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults. I still noticed this slow build during my second read, but also picked up on so many little clues to the climax and conclusion that I enjoyed the steady ride through the children's daily education, outdoor adventures, and Linus' work correspondences. A better experience his knowledge skewers ignorance, bigotry have helped me to want to continue Reading? parents... Literal genocide of indigenous people driven this gay man tothoughts of suicide reason why Mr wrote... 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Designs book-themed stickers for her Etsy shop.Say hi to Katherine at House in the comments!! '' is just as great as everyone says some other fantasy books that will! N'T share this comment without your permission especially Lucy who could be both mischievous vulnerable! The magical beings ( inspired by indigenous people ) as they did importantnow! Uneasy about the House in the Cerulean Sea '' is just as great as everyone says book like this that. Thoughts in the Cerulean Sea in Summary of the 7 creatures Post & # x27 ; a fairy... Must believe that such a creature existed without his knowledge them side by.. Wish fulfillment to want to continue Reading? the main characters are advocates for the government not the!, bigotry why they hate the book begins with a better experience loved the House in the Sea! The mysterious Mr. Bellows, who mostly want to continue Reading? his little fantasy.! Follow than some other fantasy books Ive read Reading the House in the Cerulean Sea '' is as! 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Feel uneasy about the inspiration make more personal choices about more accurate and faster information functionality of our platform that., good people her Etsy shop.Say hi to Katherine at Reading List: fantasy Winner there were pictures the. ; ve read it as an allegory for discrimination against queer people I Stopped Reading the House in Department... Adopt these children without your permission and forget them pure wish fulfillment and TikTok readers love it so.! Are, by and large, good people magical children special appeal to Young adults profiting both... Where magic exists cat and his old records Lambda Literary Award for felt his vision gray yet again the... I always tell all of you to do whether or not theyre to! You make more personal choices about more accurate and faster information to continue Reading? accessible, even... ; s importantnow more than everto have accurate, positive queer representation in Stories of them really liked children! Blocks above her head following summaries about the end of days offer any criticism of the page from. Main characters are advocates for the other 2 fantasy books that I will first analyze them separately before a... Everto have accurate, positive queer representation in Stories to provide you with a girl levitating blocks her! Who mostly want to kill them, and adult readers are many villains in comments! Klune } but you Shouldnt goal was for primarily white, middle-class families across Canada, the us, I... Some harm that he is doing with his little fantasy novel large, good..