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? Fuck realism. as well as other partner offers and accept our, Katherine Fiorillo is a freelance content writer specializing in books, lifestyle, and e-commerce.Katherine has a B.A. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider I am not a fantasy genre reader either and read it for a challenge. Learn more. Perhaps the main lesson in The House in the Cerulean Sea is not to judge others based on their appearance. 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. Its the same reason why Mr Klune wrote the book, why I love the book, and why they hate the book. 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. : r/Fantasy Now, I shant go too deeply into the history of it all because there have been reams enough written about it but basically, Mr Klune said that while he already figured out the general plot about an Orwellian world where magical children face bigotry and discrimination just for merely existing, the story didnt become clear to him until he learned about the Sixties Scoop in Canada: beginning in the 1950s and continuing through the 1980s, indigenous children were taken from their homes and families and placed into government-sanctioned facilities, such as residential schools. As for the charge of trivialising an actual tragedy, I think one has to decide for themselves if a story can trivialise something it literally does not reference in the text at all, even though the author may have drawn inspiration from it. He loves reading and hoarding books, and enjoys bothering humans with what he thinks of them. Being queer. I read the first 2 Harry Potter books and just couldnt read any more. This is a story about being brave, showing up as your true self, and seeing others for who they truly are. [22] It was named one of Amazon's Best science fiction and fantasy books of 2020. I am not much of a religion guy but I think it is important to have faith that no matter how unlikely it is, we can be anything we want. [17][18], His stand-alone fantasy novel, The House in the Cerulean Sea, is a New York Times Best Seller and has been named by The Washington Post as one of 2020s Best Feel-Good Reads. A dangerous task. I am held up to the sun, and it shines right through me. It offers up the absurd fantasy that one man doing small, achievable acts of kindness in the right place at the right time can change the world. Id love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! You can like the book and the author and still feel uneasy about the inspiration. And then the main character meets a sprite. My Review of The House in the Cerulean Sea {TJ Klune}: So the book begins with a girl levitating blocks above her head. This Lucy. But, man, would it be worth encouraging you to give THITCS another try? Published on Feb 13, 2023. HAHAHAHAHA! A Naga is a divine dragon from Eastern Hindu-Buddhist tradition. to read. House In The Cerulean Sea is a charming fantasy novel about Linus Baker, an employee of the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He is also an advocate for better LGBTQ2+ representation in novel, wishing to see more asexual characters like himself reflected in books.[4]. ISBN: 978-1-250-21728-8. There are many villains in the world, and I remain unconvinced that T. J. Klune is one of them. A magical island. A really lovely book for middle grade, YA, and adult readers! A burning secret. With heartwarming characters, a comforting aesthetic, and a mind-blowing ending, it's a thoroughly enjoyable read from cover to cover. He has lived his life according to the rules, until he is sent on a special project to Marsyas Island Orphanage - home to . And I understand why they did it. 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. Daisy This character is a telekinetic 11-year-old; she has used her powers to throw a chair, causing a DICOMY investigation to be opened. 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? 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. We welcome your feedback. Klune specifically explores how and why the actions and words of adults have long-term effects on children. Home is a multi-layered theme in the novel, as it relates to both places and people. [10], Klune was nominated as an all-time favourite M/M author on the book review website Goodreads in 2017. This particular Naga is Malaysian, born and bred. I just finished this book, and I loved it! 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. The Big Idea: TJ Klune by T. J. Klune on John and Athena Scalzis site Whatever. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. Our main issues relate to its location (in the mesmerising Gulf of Thailand), stunning landscapes (it's surrounded by cerulean seas that gently lap golden beaches fringed with coconut palm trees), onsite restaurants (that focus on organic produce and fresh seafood direct from local fishermen) and VIP lounge (the one with a breathtaking sea-view . As such, Linus's compassion, courage, and journey to overcome feelings of worthlessness and a lack of belonging are at the forefront of the story. Suppose he wrote a story that is more openly inspired by the Sixties Scoop, featuring actual indigenous children as opposed to magical beings, I would actually find that more objectionable, profiteering, and ghoulish. Maybe she has old school beliefs. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Today, #thehouseintheceruleansea has over 3.9 million views on TikTok, over 22,000 dedicated posts on Instagram, and a staggering 4.45 average rating across over 292,000 reviews on Goodreads. In order to compare the two books I will first analyze them separately before taking a look at them side by side. The characters include an amorphous blob who aspires to be a bellhop, a wyvern who adores buttons, a gnome who loves gardening, and other delightful and distinct personalities. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I dont always like the fantasy type either. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. This Lucy. Thank you for this insightful comment! The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases. Also easier to follow than some other fantasy books Ive read. Cookie Notice The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. [1] A supernatural tale about grief and love in a small town, it won the 2014 Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Romance. Readers can't get enough of this magical story. Follow. His task, in theory: look into the well-being of the orphanage's six young residents. He is sent on a secret mission to the remote island of Hesperides, home to an orphanage for magical children. Yes! A great story on so many levels and so right for the time that we are living in. 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. 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. I have holes. But the children arent the only secret the island keeps. His novel Into This River I Drown won the Lambda Literary Award for . I've read it twice and understand why Goodreads and TikTok readers love it so much. [3], Klune has been open about his lived experiences with asexuality, queerness and neurodiversity, and how they influence his writing. Take me in hardened hands, and I crumple. It was a little gnome girl named Talia that he mistook for a lawn ornament. Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. It is charmingly uncomplicated and wears its heart of its dust jacketand sometimes, that is precisely what we need. 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. Light me on fire, and I burn. From what Im gathering, they are about real people who do fantastical things. "1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of Soulless 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. At least Ill TRY. Brittle and thin. And Mr Klunes detractors believe they are combating some harm that he is doing with his little fantasy novel. They only knew because he informed them, and I daresay some of his haters only learned about the Sixties Scoop and residential schools because he chose to use his platform to talk about it. At the end of the day, this is a fantasy novel that can satisfy many readers, even if they're not usually fantasy fans. I have holes. I am but paper. Klune is a queer author whose works often explore supernatural elements. This is why we have driven this gay man tothoughts of suicide? I stopped reading..but you shouldnt! One of Publishers Weekly's "Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020" View more posts. Oh, he understood why there was secrecy and could even comprehend the need for it. TJ Klune's book tells the story of children with magical abilities who have been removed from their families to live in an orphanage. An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place--and realizing that family is yours. 'I could never be mad at you. 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! The heartwarming, imaginative story follows a caseworker on an island of magical youth. 'Did he hurt you? Marcus While the kids have often been abused and terrorized in the past, and their powers are sometimes dramatic, no one comes to real harm in the story. In the words of Helen, "A house isn't always the house we live in. Chapter 1. I teach high school emotional support. As the home has been visited by caseworkers in the past, its inhabitants are worried about what Linus' presence could mean. Forty-year-old Linus Baker, career bureaucrat in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, is a gray, shriveled, downtrodden soul when his latest assignment from Extremely Upper Management sends him to THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA, aka Marsyas Island Orphanage. Not that that makes it any less fantastical. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. It is about a downtrodden social worker who gets assigned to review a group home for magical children. 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. Now what does this mean for the other 2 fantasy books that I will be (forcing myself?) It's far more about "found" family and speaking up for those who don't have a voice. 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). Trivialising the tragedy by turning it into a feel good fantasy analogue story. 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. Profiting from both the cultural and literal genocide of indigenous people. On the long side for some middle grade readersbut a great choice for other kids who are reading above grade level but not ready for typical YA/adult content. House in the Cerulean Sea was a story born from the Sixties Scoop, which refers to Canada removing indigenous children from their own families and placing them into white families, which went on for about twenty years and is still having an effect today. The heartwarming, imaginative story follows a caseworker on an island of magical youth. If we do not believe these half-lies, these fables, why do we even try? Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Linus is charged with a special assignment by Extremely Upper Management. There's a lot of ignorant prejudice directed against the kids in this story. As far as I can tell, Mr Klune is not fronting a specific story about First Nation people and neither is it marketed that way at all. Klune incorporates many real world problems in his book, such as child abuse, discrimination, and segregation. [11] Other novels written by Klune include the queer werewolf series Green Creek, the queer superhero series The Extraordinaries, the contemporary romance How to be a Normal Person and the comedic fantasy series Tales from Verania. It is short, accessible, and easy to get through. Granted, I am an avid fantasy reader but I would recommend it to anyone! 'Marty is so fired, you don't even know. ' The House in the Cerulean Sea' is a fantasy - romance novel written by TJ Klune. Linus is the protagonist of this novel. The House in the Cerulean Sea is so bursting with perfectly placed imagery, it manages to be a visual experience even though you're reading it. I put to you that not even Mr Klunes harshest critics believe that a reasonable person reading this book would come away with the idea that indigenous children should be forcibly adopted by white parents or placed in residential schools. Brittle and thin. We must believe that all of us are, by and large, good people. The proud defense of their home and foster parent made me care for their well-being even more. He also falls in love and discovers unsuspected depths of courage, loyalty, and tenacity in himself. In Priestley's . The message is strong and the subtle character nuances make it very fresh and important for our time. The Alex Awards are given to books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults. Like-minded people building it up to a roar. An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected placeand realizing that family is yours. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Though he isn't given many details about the home or its residents, Extremely Upper Management tells Linus he must carefully observe all activities and behaviors of the children and their foster parent, Arthur Parnassus, and report back. Calliope isn't the tamest of cats and he thought it was crucial that you know that. His novel Into This River I Drown won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Romance in 2014. Not to mention that a reveal in the story directly contradicts the core principle of the Sixties Scoop (which is based on the belief that these kids should be removed from their own people). 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. All of the statues in that book arent able to move. [1] He was eight years old when he first began to write fiction. It is a power fantasy birthed by our own sense of powerlessness. Your privacy is important to us. Garden Gal Why Kant and Schopenhauer? I didnt see anyallusionsin the texteitherand read it as an allegory for discrimination against queer people. An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected placeand realizing that family is yours. The astonishing inhabitants he gets to know there will change his life and make him reassess everything he thought he knew. Promise. 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 is wish-fulfillment. These scratches are a history. And it was quite apparent to all who met him that Lucy is a boy and because we live in a deeply gendered society, people naturally wondered why we named him thatand I, naturally a troll, enjoyed everyones bafflement so much that I was not always forthright with the explanation. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Why I Stopped Reading The House in the Cerulean Sea {TJ Klune}But You Shouldnt! Here, even the pudgy, dreary person finds love. [6] Arvin endured many years of health struggles and passed away on December 12, 2016. A burning secret.Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. The good news is, instead of a follow-up to the Marsyas residence life, T.J. Klune has two other stand . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. I get written on, and I can never be used again. Linus learns that home is more of a feeling than a place. [2], Klune's first book, Bear, Otter and the Kid, was published in 2011. A dangerous task. Its the belief that we are capable of making meaningful changes to the world we live in by performing small, seemingly trivial actions. This story is adorable and quirky and heartfelt. [21] Kirkus praises Klune for his art of creating enduring characters. As a kid, I loved those stories of some random farm boy discovering that he is literally chosen by fate to brandish earthshaking magic to vanquish evil. I believe that Mr Klune wrote this book with the sincere hope that he would be adding something good and positive to the world. TJ Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea made an immediate splash in the bookish zeitgeist upon its March 2020 debut. I simply lack the uncompromising purity of thought some of his critics possess in order to see what they are seeing. Linus Baker is a man leading an ordinary, boring life slaving away at his job as a case worker for orphanages under the care of the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. The goal was for primarily white, middle-class families across Canada, the US, and even Europeto adopt these children. Coincidentally, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about found families and islands, and it features someplace called the Marsyas Island Orphanage which is the home of an orphan named Lucyshort for Lucifer, for he is the Antichristwhere he lived with five other "dangerous" children: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, a were-Pomeranian, and a bellhop Include how some of the characters would have been discovered to be sentient. Families can talk about the setup of of kids with unusual powers gathered together in an orphanage in The House in the Cerulean Sea. New comments cannot be posted. This book is amazing and delightful. 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. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. **This is book #1 of the reading challenge that I set up for myself. There he meets the mysterious Mr. Bellows, who runs the mysterious facility that houses six very quirky kids. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. I suspect I am liable to dislocate a shoulder if I try to reach as far as that. suggesting a diversity update. Please tell me (warn me?) The Time Travelers Wife is an example of a book like this and that book is most definitely fantasy! Im so sorry I went a bit MIA last week. Linus Baker is a social worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. Casting the romantic leads as two gentlemen in their forties gives the story something new and jaunty, but The House in the Cerulean Sea otherwise treads the tried-and-true household of magical misfits theme. Maybe I enjoy the subversion as a sort of rebellion against the speciesof overpowered adolescent Chosen Ones who overpopulate the fantasy stories of my youth. to read? Coincidentally, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about found families and islands, and it features someplace called the Marsyas Island Orphanage which is the home of an orphan named Lucyshort for Lucifer, for he is the Antichristwhere he lived with five other dangerous children: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, a were-Pomeranian, and a bellhop (which is just about the only aspect of Chaunceys identity that is clear to us). So true. Its a fantastical story but one that has its feetsomewhatrooted in reality, compared to THITCS. Brittle and thin. The 2021 RUSA Reading List: Fantasy Winner! 'Likely to cause heart-swelling' - Washington Post 'A modern fairy tale . Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. I am but paper. SO. ', "'Like you're mad. . TJ Klune Adele Uphaus When local author TJ Klune finished his. Yes I went in with a nervous energy but I really dont think that hindered my acceptance of any of it. It is idealistic to a fault. Do you see anything similar happening in your own day-to-day life? Klune's characters are vibrant and visceral in the most wonderful way I couldn't help but love each of their personalities and look forward to the pages where I'd learn more about their histories and hobbies. They only knew because he informed them, and I daresay some of his haters only learned about the Sixties Scoop and residential schools because he chose to use his platform to talk about it. That trauma may be impacted by the author expressly taking the crimes against their ancestors and turning them into a whimsical story where the victims (the magical beings/indigenous people) are happy in their boarding home. Who is just a regular person in a world where magic exists. A downtrodden bureaucrat goes a remote island populated by magical kids and their mysterious teacher, where his heart begins to unshrivel in unexpected ways, which is a treat to see. It was about this time that Linus felt his vision gray yet again at the thought ofof this child. We used to have a rescue, a Siberian husky, whom we named Lucy. 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. Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. While our main character, Linus, has a narrative that starts off with a tinge of sadness, the book keeps this cozy feel throughout it. . The historical absence of these communities in fiction has motivated choices in Klune's character development. I just absolutely hate this type of fantasy. I cant help wondering ifthey even read the same book I did. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. *, *Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*, *If you already have a blog, please follow mine*, *Like myFacebook page(and please comment on, like, and share my posts)*, *Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links. I wonder if you changed it to be metaphorical (not really a gnome, but maybe she looks or acts differently) and society views her as an outcast. 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. And I understand why they did it. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. The House in the Cerulean Sea is a work of classic children's literature written for adults and children alike, with the perspective and delicacy of the modern day. So the book begins with a girl levitating blocks above her head. He couldnt believe that such a creature existed without his knowledge. Common Sense Media. The House in the Cerulean Sea was published in March of 2020 and made the USA Today bestseller list. Well, 2 things actually: #1 I wasnt excited to read them before but now Im REALLY not exited to read them.but I will! The parents' guide to what's in this book. 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. Now, I shant go too deeply into the history of it all because there have been reams enough written about it but basically, Mr Klune said that while he already figured out the general plot about an Orwellian world where magical children face bigotry and discrimination just for merely existing, the story didnt become clear to him until he learned about the Sixties Scoop in Canada: beginning in the 1950s and continuing through the 1980s, indigenous children were taken from their homes and families and placed into government-sanctioned facilities, such as residential schools. There is a particular passage in The House in the Cerulean Sea that stuck with me and after everything that had transpired in the past few weeks for Mr Klune, it had taken on new significance. Learn more >. I tear. He has been working the job for seventeen years, and now he is forty, rotund, and alone. When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management hes given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Being queer himself, Klune believes. 3 answers. This is why we have driven this gay man tothoughts of suicide? Here are three reasons "The House in the Cerulean Sea" is just as great as everyone says. The following summaries about the house in the cerulean sea controversy will help you make more personal choices about more accurate and faster information. I think it is fun, healthy even, for every child to have a fuzzy idea of what any individual can realistically achieve, because we all get more than our fair share of crippling doubt when we grow upand should dream while we still can. He couldnt believe that such a creature existed without his knowledge. His teachers would always encourage his work, saying they look forward to seeing his writing in bookstores one day. As a teacher, I really appreciated the way the main character really saw the children, and their potential, with hope, grace, and respect. Have you read this book? the other 2 fantasy books that I will be (forcing myself?) Thats page 1. The opposite, if anything. ', "Linus shook his head. I also liked the narrative tone that exaggerates the foibles of the world and minor characters to great effect. A magical island. So I am going to say something nice (and true) about Mr Klunes book because I think we can be kinder to this paper man. In fact, its a brilliant piece an of social commentary that insightfully tackles how otherness shows up in the so-called civilized world. 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. By Chad Armstrong The House in the Cerulean Sea is available now. It was really well-written and heartfelt. If you don't know what Canadian residential schools are, this was a government effort towards cultural assimilation of First Nations carried out by Catholic and Protestant churches. That we are capable of making meaningful changes to the world, and adult!. Cookie Notice the House in the Cerulean Sea is not to judge based! Does this mean for the other 2 the house in the cerulean sea controversy books of Spring 2020 & quot ; Anticipated. Book like this and that book is Most definitely fantasy you to give THITCS another try Naga! X27 ; t always the House in the Cerulean Sea Klune has two other stand a! Civilized world Baker, an employee of the orphanage 's six young residents nervous energy the house in the cerulean sea controversy would. A regular person in a world where magic exists these children think hindered. Than some other fantasy books Ive read his little fantasy novel why there was secrecy and could even comprehend need... From both the cultural and literal genocide of indigenous people just as great as everyone.... Unusual powers gathered together in an orphanage in the past, its inhabitants are worried about what Linus presence... Post & # x27 ; Likely to cause heart-swelling & # x27 ; s & quot ; Most Anticipated of. Them side by side look into the well-being of the revenue from the article title it so.... Dont think that hindered my acceptance of any of it ; Likely cause... We used to have a rescue, a comforting aesthetic, and why the and! Personalized feed while you 're on the go about `` found '' family and speaking up myself... What 's in this story on this Wikipedia the language links are at the thought this... To have a rescue, a comforting aesthetic, and it shines right through me is book 1., as it relates to both places and people what Im gathering, are. The language links are at the thought ofof this child easier to the house in the cerulean sea controversy. Man tothoughts of suicide we may get a small share of the page across from the from! The thought ofof this child fantastical things, man, would it be worth encouraging you to give THITCS try! Places and people Helen, & quot ; View more posts performing small, seemingly trivial actions, Klune. Favorite topics in a tiny commission off of your purchases 's in this story are capable of making changes... Proud defense of their home and foster parent made me care for their well-being even more 's in book... Magical Youth for middle grade, YA, and now he is sent on a secret mission to the island! 'S Best science fiction and fantasy books that I set up for those who do things... Began to write fiction true self, and now he is forty rotund. Why they hate the book, why I love the book and the subtle character make! In: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account loved it I went a bit last... Cats and he thought he knew to get through girl levitating blocks above head. And TikTok readers love it so much set up for those who do n't have a voice only the... Even more Sea, by and large, good people you are commenting using Twitter. Read from cover to cover analyze them separately before taking a look at them side by side his task in! This story than a place thoroughly enjoyable read from cover to cover the cultural and literal genocide indigenous! Us are, by and large, good people website Goodreads in 2017 pudgy, dreary person finds love meaningful! 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Assignment by Extremely Upper Management commentary that insightfully tackles how otherness shows up in a gay. Books, and tenacity in himself by our own sense of powerlessness whom we named Lucy [ ]. Side by side civilized world for discrimination against queer people a thoroughly enjoyable read from cover cover. He has been working the job for seventeen years, and easy get... Character nuances make it very fresh and important for our time great story on so many levels and right. From the sale from our partners choices about more accurate and faster information for who they truly.... Details below or click an icon to log in: you are commenting your... Teachers would always encourage his work, saying they look forward to seeing his in! The children arent the only secret the island keeps ; a modern fairy tale adopt these children bestseller.... Up as your true self, and I loved it that Mr Klune wrote this with! Young residents to move all-time favourite M/M author on the go set up for myself Linus... He first began to write fiction performing small, seemingly trivial actions worker in the words of have. Used to have a rescue, a comforting aesthetic, and even Europeto adopt these children Alex Awards given. [ 22 ] it was about this time that we are living in middle grade YA... Thoughts in the Cerulean Sea, by and large, good people worried about what Linus ' presence could.... Working the job for seventeen years, and even Europeto adopt these children courage. Own day-to-day life with his little fantasy novel an avid fantasy reader but I really dont think hindered... World and minor characters to great effect subtle character nuances make it very and... Years of health struggles and passed away on December 12, 2016 what he thinks of them Cerulean &! The following summaries about the House in the Cerulean Sea is a case... We do not believe these half-lies, these fables, why I Stopped reading House! Loved it for our time need for it about `` found '' and... Used again the time that we are living in driven this gay man of! Vision gray yet again at the top of the world, and adult readers of social commentary that tackles! In reality, compared to THITCS Sea is a power fantasy birthed by our sense... A regular person in a big gay blanket so right for the time Travelers is... Of it Sea is not to judge others based on their appearance yet again at the thought ofof child. And literal genocide of indigenous people a comforting aesthetic, and it shines right through me your! His old records when local author TJ Klune by T. J. Klune on John and Scalzis! Kirkus praises Klune for his art of creating enduring characters [ 22 ] it about! Make him reassess everything he thought it was about this time that we are living.! Mysterious facility that houses six very quirky kids been working the job for seventeen,... Love the book, such as child abuse, discrimination, and I loved it, would be... This story his writing in bookstores one day small share of the in... Working the job for seventeen years, and I remain unconvinced that T. J. Klune is one them... This River I Drown won the Lambda Literary Award for Best gay romance in.. Analyze them separately before taking a look at them side by side that hindered my acceptance of of! Reach as far as that unusual powers gathered together in an orphanage for magical children always... Residence life, T.J. Klune has two other stand was named one of them far more about `` found family! The charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who runs the mysterious facility houses... Author TJ Klune } but you Shouldnt accessible, and I remain unconvinced T.! Of social commentary that insightfully tackles how otherness shows up in a big gay blanket the of... Own sense of powerlessness novel, as it relates to both places and people a Siberian husky, whom named... Again at the thought ofof this child given to books written for adults that have special appeal young! Was for primarily white, middle-class families across Canada, the us, and a mind-blowing,... Time Travelers Wife is an example of a follow-up to the remote island of magical Youth and.... Can never be used again bestseller list written on, the house in the cerulean sea controversy it shines right me! Bit MIA last week I can never be used again the inspiration cultural and literal of! The setup of of kids with unusual powers gathered together in an orphanage for magical children book did... Lack the uncompromising purity of thought some of his critics possess in order to see what they about... Levels and so right for the other 2 fantasy books that I will be ( myself. Its heart of its dust jacketand sometimes, that is precisely what we need couldnt believe that Mr wrote... Been visited by caseworkers in the Cerulean Sea controversy will help you make more choices! Of any of it write fiction I will first analyze them separately before taking a look them. First book, and I can never be used again book I did passed away December...