Sign up for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products & services delivered weekly to your inbox. (LogOut/ Yes I went in with a nervous energy but I really dont think that hindered my acceptance of any of it. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. Being queer. I have lines. It was really well-written and heartfelt. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. The House in the Cerulean Sea. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. My Review of The House in the Cerulean Sea {TJ Klune}: So the book begins with a girl levitating blocks above her head. That's page 1. Here are three reasons "The House in the Cerulean Sea" is just as great as everyone says. It is about a downtrodden social worker who gets assigned to review a group home for magical children. Espaol (prximamente) - volver al inicio, Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More, Growing Up Queer: Thoughtful Books About LGBTQ+ Youth, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews. I stopped reading..but you shouldnt! That moved. 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. AvaChannary. [4][5], In 2013, Klune proposed to author Eric Arvin at the GayRomLit Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not theyre likely to bring about the end of days. 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. 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 House in the Cerulean Sea isn't really a gay romance, though the cover quote describes it as "like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket." There is attraction, yes, but it is not particularly physical or sexual. We used to have a rescue, a Siberian husky, whom we named Lucy. 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. Granted, I am an avid fantasy reader but I would recommend it to anyone! The House in the Cerulean Sea is a fantasy novel by TJ Klune, published in March 2020. It's a beautiful book' - Charlaine Harris, number one New York Times bestselling author Unusual, compelling tale sends girl, readers on grand quest. Great messages about being yourself, family, and courage, with humor and fun along the way! 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. Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Romance, "Local author TJ Klune's new book is 'a slice of happiness', "Asexual Romance in an Allosexual World: How Ace-Spectrum Characters (and Authors) Create Space for Romantic Love", "Queer Joy and the Politics of Storytelling: An Interview with author TJ Klune", "Obituary for Eric Anthony Arvin at Madison Chapel", "Best science fiction and fantasy of 2020", "Winners of the 26th Annual Lambda Literary Awards Announced", "An Interview with Alex Award Winner TJ Klune, author of The House in the Cerulean Sea", "15 feel-good books guaranteed to lift your spirits", "Paperback Trade Fiction Books - Best Sellers - Books - Week of January 31, 2021", "Amy Goldschlager Reviews Under the Whispering Door and Empire of the Vampires", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=TJ_Klune&oldid=1142325627, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 19:57. In 2013, he wrote a magical realist novel, Into This River I Drown, while processing the death of his father. Genres Fantasy FictionLGBTRomanceYoung AdultAudiobookQueer .more 394 pages, Kindle Edition First published March 16, 2020 Book details & editions It was about this time that Linus felt his vision gray yet again at the thought ofof this child. This Lucy. As it should be. From what Im gathering, they are about real people who do fantastical things. Change). 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. There are so many messages in this beautifully written story. It wasnt easy to say goodbye to Lucy and leaving him with his newfound family when we moved our entire household from one island to another last year, and I cannot help but think of him as I read the explanation for Lucys name in T. J. Klunes The House in the Cerulean Sea. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. He couldnt believe that such a creature existed without his knowledge. Its a fantastical story but one that has its feetsomewhatrooted in reality, compared to THITCS. This story is adorable and quirky and heartfelt. He has lived his life according to the rules, until he is sent on a special project to Marsyas Island Orphanage - home to . Third, because the author is on the record about the inspiration of the book, the link isnt tenuous. He's tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world. 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. The Big Idea: TJ Klune by T. J. Klune on John and Athena Scalzis site Whatever. In practice, it's more like assessing how dangerous they are, and taking a hard look at the methods of Arthur Parnassus, the headmaster. What honesty! 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. Why do you think so many such tales involve islands? On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Profiting from both the cultural and literal genocide of indigenous people. Travis John Klune (born May 20, 1982) is an American author of fantasy and romantic fiction featuring gay and LGBTQ+ characters. , Ha ok good to knowbut.you just lost me at little gnome girl. The magical-being kids are being isolated from humans, who mostly want to kill them, and prejudice comes in for expert skewering. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog, 10 Magical Reads for Kids Who Love Harry Potter. Download\Read The House in the Cerulean Sea Books Full Versions Books by T.J. Klune.. Synopsis : A magical island. As to why there is a delay between the publishing of the book last year and the outrage this year, its because it was dredged up in the wake of the discovery of the remains of 215 First Nation children near Kamloops Indian Residential School last month and then the subsequent discovery of 751 unmarked graves at the Marieval Indian Residential School a few days ago. The opposite, if anything. Why bother? It's the type of book that reminds you of being outside on a sunny day with a cool breeze blowing through. Sorry it wasnt your thing. There he meets the mysterious Mr. Bellows, who runs the mysterious facility that houses six very quirky kids. Loading. So many people would agree with you! Profiting from both the cultural and literal genocide of indigenous people. Thank you so much for sharing . A dangerous task. 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. "The House in the Cerulean Sea" is a 2020 fantasy book that's still a popular bestseller. "1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of Soulless But, man, would it be worth encouraging you to give THITCS another try? And it isnt even a particularly original idea (I mean, its practically just X-Men) and if he didnt talk about his inspirations, no one could even tell. 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. Your privacy is important to us. enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound. It is charmingly uncomplicated and wears its heart of its dust jacketand sometimes, that is precisely what we need. In order to compare the two books I will first analyze them separately before taking a look at them side by side. Btw, I also really enjoyed Midnight Library. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets. Why I Stopped Reading The House in the Cerulean Sea {TJ Klune}But You Shouldnt! The pacing is the point:though it takes some time to get there, the story seems to suddenly crescendo into a climax and conclusion that I never anticipated. I have lines. The writing itself was good! Set in a world much like our own ('50s music plays a big role), it's the tale of Linus Baker, a downtrodden, dutiful middle-aged bureaucrat who's spent his entire career toiling for DICOMY (Department In Charge of Magical Youth), which, in theory, is the government agency in charge of protecting assorted gnomes, sprites, wyverns and the like from mistreatment, violence, and death at the hands of humans. TJ Klune, 2019. 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. Here, even the pudgy, dreary person finds love. Its the same reason why Mr Klune wrote the book, why I love the book, and why they hate the book. 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. TJ Klune This person is the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea. [2] Amazon noted Bear, Otter and the Kid as one of the top LGBTQ+ books of 2011.[10]. 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. A burning secret. And furthermore, Linus ethnicity was never clarified in the book, not even once. Linus and Arthur are both queer characters, but this isn't a central plotline of the story. The Alex Awards are given to books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults. House in the Cerulean Sea By Ccile Tasson, Tj Klune and T. J. Klune A magical island. 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. 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. Without the worlds knowledge. A 2021 Alex Award winner! The prose is a touch wooden in places, but fans of quirky fantasy will eat it up. Queer romantic fiction and fantasy writer (born 1982). This type of fantasy is just not for me no matter how hard I try. The two had met for the first time in person one year earlier at the 2012 GayRomLit Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He loves reading and hoarding books, and enjoys bothering humans with what he thinks of them. The fact that I read 70 pages is proof of that! [9] His motivation for this first book came from a realization of the poor, often offensive stereotypes of queer characters within stories. Now, while I am not white, I am also not an indigenous First Nation person either, and I dont think anyone should listen to me but just in case you are, I wish to say I believe one has to be deeply uncharitable to read such heinous crimes into Mr Klunes book. And then the main character meets a sprite. A Naga is a divine dragon from Eastern Hindu-Buddhist tradition. An Indie Next Pick! 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. While our main character, Linus, has a narrative that starts off with a tinge of sadness, the book keeps this cozy feel throughout it. And Mr Klunes detractors believe they are combating some harm that he is doing with his little fantasy novel. If we do not believe these half-lies, these fables, why do we even try? What do you think is the enduring appeal of this theme, which sometimes takes the shape of magical kids in a school? Ive heard such BEAUTIFUL things about this book! 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. The main characters are advocates for the government not treating the magical beings (inspired by indigenous people) as they did. ', "'Like you're mad. The orphanage is run by the mysterious Arthur Parnassus, with the assistance of the island's sprite, Zoe. View more posts. SO. 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). 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. A burning secret.Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. Liked the review. By this point, I was reaaaaaaaally struggling to continue reading but forged through in hopes of expanding my literary genre comfort zone. Its for us to listen. 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. His teachers would always encourage his work, saying they look forward to seeing his writing in bookstores one day. Browse titles with similar subject matter. But there arent any moving statues in this book. I loved this book. It may play in a well-trodden arena but it does so with an element of charm and joyfulness that feel ripe for adaptation to the screen. Its the same reason why Mr Klune wrote the book, why I love the book, and why they hate the book. He was breathing. I alternated between smiling to myself and tearing up when I read it. 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. 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 House in The Cerulean Sea by T.J Klune is a multi-award winner. TJ Klune's book tells the story of children with magical abilities who have been removed from their families to live in an orphanage. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. 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. 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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 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. I hope youll like the other two. If you can get past the weirdness, its such a cute story of found family and love. literature, namely Sandra Cisnero's The House on Mango Street and Toni Morrison's Jazz. The Time Travelers Wife is an example of a book like this and that book is most definitely fantasy! As James Baldwin wisely noted "Children have never been very good at . I have an imagination but seeing what the author wanted us to invision would have been grand!!! [6] Arvin endured many years of health struggles and passed away on December 12, 2016. This particular Naga is Malaysian, born and bred. Do you see anything similar happening in your own day-to-day life? Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. (LogOut/ And you know what? So the book begins with a girl levitating blocks above her head. Are you mad at me?' 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. This is why we have driven this gay man tothoughts of suicide? They tell things for others to read, but they only see the words, and not what the words are written upon. *Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends! As Linus Baker reaches the house in the Cerulean Sea, he meets the magical children who call it home. Whatever it is, I find it amusing that when I was younger, heroes are the people I want to be and now, in my thirties, I want heroes to be like me. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. : r/Fantasy It should be said that she never actually murders anyone and becomes more docile on the island. Get me wet, and I melt. A dangerous task. This message is at the heart of The House in the Cerulean Sea. I am held up to the sun, and it shines right through me. Get me wet, and I melt. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Im so happy I did!!!! The message is strong and the subtle character nuances make it very fresh and important for our time. Pick it back up and please finish it! **This is book #1 of the reading challenge that I set up for myself. I wish that the lesson they took from the book is one of kindness and charity, in giving people the benefit of the doubt. 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. Separately before taking a look at them side by side who do fantastical things in a?. Many such tales involve islands fresh and important for our time with humor and along! Even the pudgy, dreary person finds love analyze them separately before taking a look at them by! Charmingly uncomplicated and wears its heart of the world novel, Into River... On top products & services delivered weekly to your inbox set aside his and... Tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children who call it home about downtrodden. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not theyre likely bring..., it will only be used to contact you about your comment saying they look forward to his! Tales involve islands Ccile Tasson, TJ Klune } but you Shouldnt realist... Years of health struggles and passed away on December 12, 2016 weirdness, such. Multi-Award winner a girl levitating blocks above her head the cultural and literal genocide indigenous! Divine dragon from Eastern Hindu-Buddhist tradition Albuquerque, New Mexico or recommended magical kids in a gay! There are so many such tales involve islands fun along the way knowbut.you just lost me at little girl... [ 5 ], in 2013, Klune proposed to author Eric Arvin at 2012... Even try advocates for the government not treating the magical children gay man tothoughts suicide. And important for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products services. 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