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. As a teacher, I really appreciated the way the main character really saw the children, and their potential, with hope, grace, and respect. While people do gravitate towards colours for subjective reasons, and some don't even notice what colour they are wearing, it has become increasingly hard to distance yourself. I hate books in this genre, I hate television shows in this genre, I HATE movies in this genre. Does that make sense? *, *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! 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. 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. The historical absence of these communities in fiction has motivated choices in Klune's character development. Learn more. T he house in the title of T J Klune's fantasy is an orphanage controlled by the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY), located on an island of the coast of a very remote village. 'Likely to cause heart-swelling' - Washington Post 'A modern fairy tale . Though only six years old in this story, Lucy threatens the end of time with his youthful voice and is often tamed by Arthur, who regularly reminds Lucy of the goodness in himself and the world, which also contributes to the overarching warmth of the story. What a beautiful and insightful comment! I believe that Mr Klune wrote this book with the sincere hope that he would be adding something good and positive to the world. 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. In practice, it's more like assessing how dangerous they are, and taking a hard look at the methods of Arthur Parnassus, the headmaster. 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? Travis John Klune (born May 20, 1982) is an American author of fantasy and romantic fiction featuring gay and LGBTQ+ characters. House In The Cerulean Sea is a charming fantasy novel about Linus Baker, an employee of the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. Change). Granted, I am an avid fantasy reader but I would recommend it to anyone! 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. 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. 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. I have lines. It's the type of book that reminds you of being outside on a sunny day with a cool breeze blowing through. in Journalism from Marist College and previously wrote for BuzzFeed's Shopping and Products beat. I googled the defination of sprite and heres what Marriam- Webster had to say: An elf or a fairy. Theres a lot more going on with this story than just magical creatures and pixie dust. The House in the Cerulean Sea. Fuck realism. TJ Klune, 2019. The heartwarming, imaginative story follows a caseworker on an island of magical youth. Its a fantastical story but one that has its feetsomewhatrooted in reality, compared to THITCS. This Lucy. 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. Details add ISBN-13: 9781250217318 ISBN-10: 1250217318 Publisher: Tor Books Publish Date: December 2020 Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches Lucy frowned. I have holes. 'Marty is so fired, you don't even know. . Anyway, just through Id offer another perspective. Tom Doherty Books. This is a story about being brave, showing up as your true self, and seeing others for who they truly are. The fact that I read 70 pages is proof of that! A great story on so many levels and so right for the time that we are living in. Who is just a regular person in a world where magic exists. . 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. Both, in their own ways, are different forms of wish fulfillment. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. He wanted to be able to write a novel that had an accurate representation of queer relationships, that were not stereotypical, instead were seen as relatable and positive. We won't share this comment without your permission. [1] A supernatural tale about grief and love in a small town, it won the 2014 Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Romance. [10], Klune was nominated as an all-time favourite M/M author on the book review website Goodreads in 2017. There are many villains in the world, and I remain unconvinced that T. J. Klune is one of them. Archived post. The goal was for primarily white, middle-class families across Canada, the US, and even Europeto adopt these children. I am held up to the sun, and it shines right through me. Klune has spoken about how his asexuality influences his writing. 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. 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. It was my favorite part of the whole week and Im missing it today . I am but paper, and though there are many like me, none are exactly the same. There's a dreamlike quality to Klune's writing that entices . ', "'Like you're mad. Chapter 1. He has been working the job for seventeen years, and now he is forty, rotund, and alone. As the narrative utilizes a limited third-person perspective, the reader's understanding of the world of the novel is filtered through him. I am but paper. The main characters are advocates for the government not treating the magical beings (inspired by indigenous people) as they did. fantasy, this sounds like a truly fantastic read. Reblogged this on Salvation and Shenanigans. A dangerous task. In 2013, he wrote a magical realist novel, Into This River I Drown, while processing the death of his father. 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. Some indigenous folks may, and others may not, take issue with the book. Without the worlds knowledge. 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. Linus Baker. Hiiii! BUT its about real people who do fantastical things. Fantasy and sci-fi reviews by a Malaysian book wyrm. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I love this review so much! (LogOut/ There's a lot of ignorant prejudice directed against the kids in this story. I am but paper. Both, in their own ways, are different forms of wish fulfillment. New comments cannot be posted. I am but paper. 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. Your privacy is important to us. People say that this book is WONDERFUL! ', "Linus shook his head. Get me wet, and I melt. TJ Klune This person is the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea. I am held up to the sun, and it shines right through me. I tear. 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. 400 pp. to read? 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). 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. 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. ', "'He didn't,' J-Bone said. The magical-being kids are being isolated from humans, who mostly want to kill them, and prejudice comes in for expert skewering. MUCH. Unusual, compelling tale sends girl, readers on grand quest. The following summaries about the house in the cerulean sea controversy will help you make more personal choices about more accurate and faster information. [12], Klune's Young Adult debut, The Extraordinaries, is praised by Kirkus for its use of superhero and fan fiction tropes, while Publishers Weekly compliments Klune on writing a teenaged character with ADHD in a positive and supportive light. No made up worlds, no moving statues, no levitating blocks, etc. 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). So I stopped reading. Its for us to listen. 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). Take me in hardened hands, and I crumple. It has become one of my favorites of al time. But the author is on the record saying that that history inspired the book. He also falls in love and discovers unsuspected depths of courage, loyalty, and tenacity in himself. [22] It was named one of Amazon's Best science fiction and fantasy books of 2020. 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. Learn more >. If you love (can tolorate?) And then the main character meets a sprite. Cookie Notice But I prevailed, and am now at the halfway mark. Am I wrong? A burning secret. About the author (2021) TJ Klune is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries and more. 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. I am parched parchment. Beautifully written tale of magic and transformation. 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. 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. Daisy, 11, used her powers to throw a chair at another kid, Marcus. On the surface, it's a feel-good fantasy novel but in the end, it's about so much more. 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. Linus himself is a lovable protagonist despite his prickliness, and Klune aptly handles his evolving feelings and morals. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Trivialising the tragedy by turning it into a feel good fantasy analogue story. and our It was really well-written and heartfelt. House in the Cerulean Sea By Ccile Tasson, Tj Klune and T. J. Klune A magical island. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. We used to have a rescue, a Siberian husky, whom we named Lucy. The island is home to six magical kids, including Lucifer aka "Lucy" - the son of the devil. I read this book for the first time in the early weeks of the pandemic, just after it was published, and found the sweet story to be a simply enjoyable read. And if I can offer any criticism of The House in the Cerulean Sea, its that the book is pure wish fulfillment. more Tor Books Paperback December 2020 400 Pages 9781250217318 Buy the Book $18.99 About the Author Praise Discussion Questions Excerpt From what Im gathering, they are about real people who do fantastical things. 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. I have holes. 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. His novel Into This River I Drown won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Romance in 2014. He couldnt believe that such a creature existed without his knowledge. Analogue story Malaysian book wyrm elf or a fairy fiction featuring gay and LGBTQ+ characters about the in... Seventeen years, and Klune aptly handles his evolving feelings and morals who they are... To the sun, and Klune aptly handles his evolving feelings and morals lot more going on this! I googled the defination of sprite and heres what Marriam- Webster had to say: an elf or a.. 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Through me a feel good fantasy analogue story about the house in the world fantasy analogue story,. But one that has its feetsomewhatrooted in reality, compared to THITCS Journalism from College! In 2014 this River I Drown won the Lambda Literary Award for Best gay Romance in.!
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