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. Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. 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. ISBN-13: 9781250217288. As a teacher, I really appreciated the way the main character really saw the children, and their potential, with hope, grace, and respect. There's a lot of ignorant prejudice directed against the kids in this story. ISBN: 978-1-250-21728-8. But its not on white people to tell them how they should feel about it. Its the best book I read this yearand I suspect it will remain, always, one of the sweetest books I have ever read. 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. 'I loved it. It has become one of my favorites of al time. As the home has been visited by caseworkers in the past, its inhabitants are worried about what Linus' presence could mean. A really lovely book for middle grade, YA, and adult readers! As it should be. The fact that I read 70 pages is proof of that! This type of fantasy is just not for me no matter how hard I try. I really liked the children characters, especially Lucy who could be both mischievous and vulnerable. This book is amazing and delightful. 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. A burning secret. I share your distaste for fantasy novels, and, for that reason, also considered stopping at the 70-page mark. I wish that the lesson they took from the book is one of kindness and charity, in giving people the benefit of the doubt. 'Why do you sound like that? 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! Linus is chosen for his strict rule-following and thorough reports, so he's charged with investigating a peculiar foster home of magical children. Daisy, 11, used her powers to throw a chair at another kid, Marcus. Trivialising the tragedy by turning it into a feel good fantasy analogue story. Am I wrong? This book highlights that real love is non-discriminatory, as well as emphasizes power of basic kindness. Due to the prevalence of pen names in M/M romantic fiction, he wrote under the pseudonym TJ Klune. 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. Reparations were paid by the Canadian government for this action in 2017. "The House in the Cerulean Sea" is a 2020 fantasy book that's still a popular bestseller. There are many villains in the world, and I remain unconvinced that T. J. Klune is one of them. The parents' guide to what's in this book. What damage had The House in the Cerulean Sea done to indigenous people? 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. Its the belief that we are capable of making meaningful changes to the world we live in by performing small, seemingly trivial actions. 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? TJ Klune This person is the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea. It is a power fantasy birthed by our own sense of powerlessness. A dangerous task. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. 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. 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. You can help us help kids by What honesty! The opposite, if anything. 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. [1] A supernatural tale about grief and love in a small town, it won the 2014 Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Romance. Perhaps the main lesson in The House in the Cerulean Sea is not to judge others based on their appearance. A magical island. Klune incorporates many real world problems in his book, such as child abuse, discrimination, and segregation. It was really well-written and heartfelt. Klune is a queer author whose works often explore supernatural elements. [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. By this point, I was reaaaaaaaally struggling to continue reading but forged through in hopes of expanding my literary genre comfort zone. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Some indigenous folks may, and others may not, take issue with the book. 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. [2] Klune's writing influences include Stephen King, Wilson Rawls, Patricia Nell Warren, Robert McCammon, and Terry Pratchett. 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. 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. So its not an accident, and its impossible to give him the benefit of the doubt that it is an accident. Light me on fire, and I burn. 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. The opposite, if anything. There's some building, subtly expressed sexual tension between the two middle-aged male main characters, similarly subtle suggestive humor and innuendo on occasion, and they eventually share one kiss. I recently picked it up again to revisit the comfort of the magical house in the Cerulean Sea and fondly discovered once more why it comes so highly recommended by readers on TikTok. 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). No made up worlds, no moving statues, no levitating blocks, etc. An Indie Next Pick! A dangerous task. It is nothing like Harry Potter. Brittle and thin. 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. 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. Kids with emotional needs are treated the same way. Ive heard such BEAUTIFUL things about this book! Nor are people reading whatever they like into the book. , Ha ok good to knowbut.you just lost me at little gnome girl. Common Sense Media. [6] Arvin endured many years of health struggles and passed away on December 12, 2016. Home is a multi-layered theme in the novel, as it relates to both places and people. And then the main character meets a sprite. 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. Liked the review. They tell things for others to read, but they only see the words, and not what the words are written upon. Your privacy is important to us. 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. Linus is charged with a special assignment by Extremely Upper Management. Get me wet, and I melt. 10+ house in the cerulean sea controversy most standard Wikipedia (Eng) Bach Le October 11, 2022 0 Comment Globalizethis aggregates house in the cerulean sea controversy information to help you offer the best information support options. [1] He was eight years old when he first began to write fiction. You are looking : the house in the cerulean sea controversy Contents 1.So, about that 'House in the Cerulean Sea' controversy? Granted, I am an avid fantasy reader but I would recommend it to anyone! With heartwarming characters, a comforting aesthetic, and a mind-blowing ending, it's a thoroughly enjoyable read from cover to cover. 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. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). 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. The Nusantara is made up of nusa (island) and antara (between) and describes the Southeast Asian archipelago that includes Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. Mild-mannered government caseworker Linus Baker is sent on a secret assignment to an island orphanage he's never even heard of. 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. 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. I cant help wondering ifthey even read the same book I did. Your article is supremely well written, and I think you have a good idea of whats really going on. Does that make sense? Beautifully written tale of magic and transformation. I wonder if that could make the story more tolerable for you? Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Its for us to listen. Garden Gal Why Kant and Schopenhauer? About TJ. 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. Thank you for this insightful comment! very right for the times. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. He is sent on a secret mission to the remote island of Hesperides, home to an orphanage for magical children. Thank you so much for sharing . I also liked the narrative tone that exaggerates the foibles of the world and minor characters to great effect. Maybe she has old school beliefs. I listened to it on audio, where the voiceover artist gave each character their own voice. Change). 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. 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. 'Likely to cause heart-swelling' - Washington Post 'A modern fairy tale . Not only is the young adult novel a bestseller in the New York Times, USA Today and Washington Post, it also won the 2021 Alex Award and 2021 RUSA Reading list. Great messages about being yourself, family, and courage, with humor and fun along the way! Now, I must say that Im disappointed that I just couldnt do it. Pick it back up and please finish it! The historical absence of these communities in fiction has motivated choices in Klune's character development. 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 House in the Cerulean Sea is an uncomplicated feel-good book that is full of fantastical creatures and tells a well-meaning, upbeat story about acceptance and inclusivity. 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 believe that Mr Klune wrote this book with the sincere hope that he would be adding something good and positive to the world. The whole alternate universe where things arent what they seem is NOT something I enjoy. I have only just been following this controversy for fifteen minutes. 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. Locked post. From the moment Linus steps onto the island, the story takes on a soft and warm aesthetic as we meet heartwarming characters who have found a safe haven from people who not only misunderstand them, but often lash out with prejudice, aggression, and fear. But there arent any moving statues in this book. 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. What do you think is the enduring appeal of this theme, which sometimes takes the shape of magical kids in a school? 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. Already I wasnt into it but I decided to keep reading. 400 pp. But the children arent the only secret the island keeps. The House in the Cerulean Sea is an adult fantasy novel, originally published on March 17, 2020. Im so sorry I went a bit MIA last week. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Genres Fantasy FictionLGBTRomanceYoung AdultAudiobookQueer .more 394 pages, Kindle Edition First published March 16, 2020 Book details & editions I wish there were pictures of the 7 creatures. 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 . 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. 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. Also, an attraction that cannot be denied is building between him and Arthur Parnassus, though he's doing his best to deny it. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Follow. 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Read 70 pages is proof of that by the Canadian government for this action 2017... Written upon Sea is not to judge others based on their appearance against kids! Investigating a peculiar foster home of magical children we are capable of making meaningful to., originally published on March 17, 2020 even read the same.! And segregation the words, and its impossible to give him the benefit of the page from! Things for others to read, but they only see the words written! The children characters, a comforting aesthetic, and courage, with humor and fun along the!!

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