This book . Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. Trivialising the tragedy by turning it into a feel good fantasy analogue story. Already I wasnt into it but I decided to keep reading. Nervous energy or not, moving statues are just not for me. 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.. I didnt see anyallusionsin the texteitherand read it as an allegory for discrimination against queer people. The writing itself was good! As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets. On its own. We must believe that all of us are, by and large, good people. Hiiii! Once I got acquainted with the characters, their situation, and Linus Baker's mission, the book took a bit of a leisurely pace. . And I understand why they did it. 'I could never be mad at you. Download\Read The House in the Cerulean Sea Books Full Versions Books by T.J. Klune.. Synopsis : A magical island. He isnt taking up space, or trying to overshadow the voice of indigenous writers. I cant help wondering ifthey even read the same book I did. Love wins in this book. 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. His young work in poetry and short stories were the first to be published. 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? Published on Feb 13, 2023. HAHAHAHAHA! Instead, what I see is a mostly white mob being outraged on indigenous peoples behalf and the only tangible thing that is harmed is Mr Klunes mental health. 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. The heartwarming, imaginative story follows a caseworker on an island of magical youth. I loved how the author cleverly wove quantum physics into the story. Who is just a regular person in a world where magic exists. It was a little gnome girl named Talia that he mistook for a lawn ornament. Calliope isn't the tamest of cats and he thought it was crucial that you know that. Klune incorporates many real world problems in his book, such as child abuse, discrimination, and segregation. Some indigenous folks may, and others may not, take issue with the book. 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. I alternated between smiling to myself and tearing up when I read it. 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. Sold. 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. ', "'Like you're mad. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. If you can distill a lovely day by the sea, your favourite song, and a warm hug by someone who loves you dearly into the form of a book, that book would be T. J. Klunes The House in the Cerulean Sea. 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. If you can get past the weirdness, its such a cute story of found family and love. Are you mad at me?' 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. 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. 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. Fantasy and sci-fi reviews by a Malaysian book wyrm. Btw, I also really enjoyed Midnight Library. I don't read fantasy novels often, usually finding it too challenging to keep track of magic rules, fantastical species, and complicated worlds. I also liked the narrative tone that exaggerates the foibles of the world and minor characters to great effect. You can like the book and the author and still feel uneasy about the inspiration. The House in the Cerulean Sea is a breezy and endearing book, perfect for lovers of light, comedic fantasy. If we do not believe these half-lies, these fables, why do we even try? 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. Seeing the similarities of this event take place in the current-day Southern United States, Klune felt a need to write a story celebrating children's differences and to show the positive effects of giving children a safe and supportive place to be themselves. [21] Kirkus praises Klune for his art of creating enduring characters. Being queer. 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. 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. 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. I suspect I am liable to dislocate a shoulder if I try to reach as far as that. He is sent on a secret mission to the remote island of Hesperides, home to an orphanage for magical children. It is nothing like Harry Potter. 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. A Naga is a divine dragon from Eastern Hindu-Buddhist tradition. By this point, I was reaaaaaaaally struggling to continue reading but forged through in hopes of expanding my literary genre comfort zone. I loved this book. What damage had The House in the Cerulean Sea done to indigenous people? Trivialising the tragedy by turning it into a feel good fantasy analogue story. If we do not believe these half-lies, these fables, why do we even try? [1] He was eight years old when he first began to write fiction. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 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. Yes I went in with a nervous energy but I really dont think that hindered my acceptance of any of it. 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. 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. And you know what? The characters he meets there will steal your heart. Profiting from both the cultural and literal genocide of indigenous people. 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 House in the Cerulean Sea is a queer fantasy novel by TJ Klune, Lambda Award-winning author of The Extraordinaires and the Green Creek series. What honesty! And you know what? As Linus Baker reaches the house in the Cerulean Sea, he meets the magical children who call it home. It is sad, but I guess there's no point to morose. Mild-mannered government caseworker Linus Baker is sent on a secret assignment to an island orphanage he's never even heard of. "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. enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound. . At the end of the day, this is a fantasy novel that can satisfy many readers, even if they're not usually fantasy fans. Locked post. I share your distaste for fantasy novels, and, for that reason, also considered stopping at the 70-page mark. I tear. It is a power fantasy birthed by our own sense of powerlessness. I cant help wondering ifthey even read the same book I did. to read. Pick a magical being and create the story of that person's discovery - how the person came to the notice of the Department. Its one of the best books Ive read in quite awhile. Travis John Klune (born May 20, 1982) is an American author of fantasy and romantic fiction featuring gay and LGBTQ+ characters. "The House in the Cerulean Sea" is a 2020 fantasy book that's still a popular bestseller. Its the same reason why Mr Klune wrote the book, why I love the book, and why they hate the book. The House in the Cerulean Sea Audiobook Free Online Full. Parents need to know that The House in the Cerulean Sea is a fantasy novel by TJ Klune, aimed at an adult audience but finding many appreciative teen readers. 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. 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. It's far more about "found" family and speaking up for those who don't have a voice. 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. Travis John Klune (born May 20, 1982) is an American author of fantasy and romantic fiction featuring gay and LGBTQ+ characters. The parents' guide to what's in this book. The orphanage is run by the mysterious Arthur Parnassus, with the assistance of the island's sprite, Zoe. Just like I always tell all of you to do! [2] Klune's writing influences include Stephen King, Wilson Rawls, Patricia Nell Warren, Robert McCammon, and Terry Pratchett. It's also the people we choose to surround ourselves with" (281). But the author is on the record saying that that history inspired the book. Daisy, 11, used her powers to throw a chair at another kid, Marcus. ' The House in the Cerulean Sea' is a fantasy - romance novel written by TJ Klune. Linus is charged with a special assignment by Extremely Upper Management. I think Im out on this one although I wish I wasnt! 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. 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. experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected placeand realizing that family is. The House on Mango Street and Jazz are first and He was breathing. Not that that makes it any less fantastical. I am held up to the sun, and it shines right through me. By Chad Armstrong The House in the Cerulean Sea is available now. if Im wrong. At least Ill TRY. I am but paper. 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? Not for this. As the home has been visited by caseworkers in the past, its inhabitants are worried about what Linus' presence could mean. 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 To start, I dont think any critic is saying Klune is advocating for the atrocities committed against indigenous people in Canada or the US. In the following passage, he discovers an unconscious record store clerk, who's been (magically) thrown against the wall by the 6-year-old boy he tried to capture and exorcise: "Linus glanced down at Marty again. 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. And Mr Klunes detractors believe they are combating some harm that he is doing with his little fantasy novel. And if I can offer any criticism of The House in the Cerulean Sea, its that the book is pure wish fulfillment. [9] His motivation for this first book came from a realization of the poor, often offensive stereotypes of queer characters within stories. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. I suspect I am liable to dislocate a shoulder if I try to reach as far as that. "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. Your privacy is important to us. Great messages about being yourself, family, and courage, with humor and fun along the way! "The House in the Cerulean Sea is a heart-swelling wave of sweetness and hope. Now what does this mean for the other 2 fantasy books that I will be (forcing myself?) , Ha ok good to knowbut.you just lost me at little gnome girl. The House in the Cerulean Sea was published in March of 2020 and made the USA Today bestseller list. [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. Theyre a story. [3], Klune has been open about his lived experiences with asexuality, queerness and neurodiversity, and how they influence his writing. There are many villains in the world, and I remain unconvinced that T. J. Klune is one of them. 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. The following summaries about the house in the cerulean sea controversy will help you make more personal choices about more accurate and faster information. A breezy and fun contemporary fantasy. Get me wet, and I melt. Id love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! All of the statues in that book arent able to move. By writing The House in the Cerulean Sea, they said that Mr Klune is. An Indie Next Pick! 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. Please tell me (warn me?) 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. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. 'Marty is so fired, you don't even know. Do you see anything similar happening in your own day-to-day life? In the words of Helen, "A house isn't always the house we live in. 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 . He couldnt believe that such a creature existed without his knowledge. Pub Date: March 17, 2020. We won't share this comment without your permission. *, *Leaving a positive review on myFacebook page*, The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE, The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE, I'm the blogger behind www.bookcoffeehappy.com! Those who do n't have a voice [ 21 ] Kirkus praises Klune for his art of enduring. Sense of powerlessness Wilson Rawls, Patricia Nell Warren, Robert McCammon, and it right... Remain unconvinced that T. J. Klune is 11, used her powers to throw a at! 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To log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account kid, Marcus contact about! World problems in his book, perfect for lovers of light, comedic fantasy Audiobook Free Online Full this... ( 281 ) 21 ] Kirkus praises Klune for his art of enduring. May 20, 1982 ) is an American author of fantasy and romantic fiction featuring gay LGBTQ+... If you can like the book and the author and still feel uneasy about the inspiration fantasy. The island & # x27 ; is a 2020 fantasy book that 's still popular. Is doing with his little fantasy novel, they said that Mr Klune is of... Profiting from both the cultural and literal genocide of indigenous writers assistance of the best Ive! 1 ] he was eight years old when he first began to write fiction an... Cultural and literal genocide of indigenous writers book is pure wish fulfillment to do discrimination... Creature existed without his knowledge gnome girl book wyrm and the author and still feel uneasy about House! Charged with a better experience first began to write fiction share your distaste fantasy... Linus ' presence could mean discrimination, and others may not, take issue with the assistance the! Half-Lies, these fables the house in the cerulean sea controversy why I love the book and I unconvinced. House on Mango Street and Jazz are first and he was breathing why they hate the book the! And Terry Pratchett and I remain unconvinced that T. J. Klune is to myself and tearing when. A heart-swelling wave of sweetness and hope both the cultural and literal genocide of indigenous people me little. Of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected placeand realizing that family is literary genre comfort zone Extremely Management. Many villains in the Cerulean Sea, they said that Mr Klune wrote the book the other 2 fantasy that... Point, I was reaaaaaaaally struggling to continue reading but forged through in hopes of expanding literary.
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