Contents 1 Origin [19][20] Publishers Weekly calls it a thought-provoking Orwellian fantasy in its starred review. Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. Maybe pictures would have helped me to want to continue reading?? I get written on, and I can never be used again. [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. By writing The House in the Cerulean Sea, they said that Mr Klune is. 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. I suspect I am liable to dislocate a shoulder if I try to reach as far as that. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. I wonder if that could make the story more tolerable for you? 'Why do you sound like that? Its the belief that we are capable of making meaningful changes to the world we live in by performing small, seemingly trivial actions. Just for the record, it wasnt actually a moving statue. I didnt see anyallusionsin the texteitherand read it as an allegory for discrimination against queer people. literature, namely Sandra Cisnero's The House on Mango Street and Toni Morrison's Jazz. He also falls in love and discovers unsuspected depths of courage, loyalty, and tenacity in himself. If we do not believe these half-lies, these fables, why do we even try? Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. . 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. HAHAHAHAHA! The astonishing inhabitants he gets to know there will change his life and make him reassess everything he thought he knew. 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. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. There are so many messages in this beautifully written story. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. The following summaries about the house in the cerulean sea controversy will help you make more personal choices about more accurate and faster information. 3 answers. This Lucy. What age is The House in the Cerulean Sea for? Anyway, just through Id offer another perspective. Fuck realism. What a beautiful and insightful comment! I think Im out on this one although I wish I wasnt! I believe that Mr Klune wrote this book with the sincere hope that he would be adding something good and positive to the world. He isnt taking up space, or trying to overshadow the voice of indigenous writers. 'I loved it. And then the main character meets a sprite. 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. 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. 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. Brittle and thin. The writing itself was good! We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. It's far more about "found" family and speaking up for those who don't have a voice. Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. People say that this book is WONDERFUL! We welcome your feedback. Profiting from both the cultural and literal genocide of indigenous people. My Review of The House in the Cerulean Sea {TJ Klune}: So the book begins with a girl levitating blocks above her head. And I reaaaaaaally wasnt enjoying this one. [22] It was named one of Amazon's Best science fiction and fantasy books of 2020. All of the statues in that book arent able to move. I simply lack the uncompromising purity of thought some of his critics possess in order to see what they are seeing. Follow. [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. I stopped reading..but you shouldnt! Theyre a story. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. 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. A 2021 Alex Award winner! His novel Into This River I Drown won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Romance in 2014. Nervous energy or not, moving statues are just not for me. Learn more. Please refer to the information below. 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. Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. I wish that the lesson they took from the book is one of kindness and charity, in giving people the benefit of the doubt. Once I got acquainted with the characters, their situation, and Linus Baker's mission, the book took a bit of a leisurely pace. As James Baldwin wisely noted "Children have never been very good at . New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I have Midnight Library in my kindle queue! We must believe that all of us are, by and large, good people. very right for the times. Locked post. 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. The 2021 RUSA Reading List: Fantasy Winner! 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. A dangerous task. He is also an advocate for better LGBTQ2+ representation in novel, wishing to see more asexual characters like himself reflected in books.[4]. (LogOut/ Marcus So the book begins with a girl levitating blocks above her head. 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 By writing The House in the Cerulean Sea, they said that Mr Klune is. So I stopped reading. 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. The House in the Cerulean Sea Audiobook Free Online Full. Take me in hardened hands, and I crumple. 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. The heartwarming, imaginative story follows a caseworker on an island of magical youth. 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. 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. 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. 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. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets. "The House in the Cerulean Sea" is a 2020 fantasy book that's still a popular bestseller. Its for us to listen. I read the first 2 Harry Potter books and just couldnt read any more. Theyre a story. And Mr Klunes detractors believe they are combating some harm that he is doing with his little fantasy novel. The charming contemporary fantasy crossed genre thresholds to capture the . When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. Pick it back up and please finish it! 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. 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. The Big Idea: TJ Klune by T. J. Klune on John and Athena Scalzis site Whatever. 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. 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. It was a little gnome girl named Talia that he mistook for a lawn ornament. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. Brittle and thin. Love wins in this book. TJ Klune's book tells the story of children with magical abilities who have been removed from their families to live in an orphanage. Linus and Arthur are both queer characters, but this isn't a central plotline of the story. 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 . : r/Fantasy Readers can't get enough of this magical story. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 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. 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. ISBN-13: 9781250217288. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). The two had met for the first time in person one year earlier at the 2012 GayRomLit Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The proud defense of their home and foster parent made me care for their well-being even more. (LogOut/ It has become one of my favorites of al time. It is sad, but I guess there's no point to morose. 400 pp. The goal was for primarily white, middle-class families across Canada, the US, and even Europeto adopt these children. It is charmingly uncomplicated and wears its heart of its dust jacketand sometimes, that is precisely what we need. 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, 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. I am held up to the sun, and it shines right through me. Reading challenge or not, I will forever stand by the fact that there are too many good books out there to continue reading one that you arent enjoying. I have only just been following this controversy for fifteen minutes. 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. the discovery of the remains of 215 First Nation children near Kamloops Indian Residential School, the subsequent discovery of 751 unmarked graves at the Marieval Indian Residential School. For more on this challenge and why Im forcing myself to do it, read THIS POST**. Travis John Klune (born May 20, 1982) is an American author of fantasy and romantic fiction featuring gay and LGBTQ+ characters. Cookie Notice Genres Fantasy FictionLGBTRomanceYoung AdultAudiobookQueer .more 394 pages, Kindle Edition First published March 16, 2020 Book details & editions TJ Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea made an immediate splash in the bookish zeitgeist upon its March 2020 debut. While I do love fantasy as a genre, thats not why I loved The House on the Cerulean Sea. And I understand why they did it. 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. 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. I am 100 percent positive that this book gives a beautiful message but unfortunately I just couldnt get past all of the fantastical elements to find it. Maybe she has old school beliefs. And if I can offer any criticism of The House in the Cerulean Sea, its that the book is pure wish fulfillment. in Journalism from Marist College and previously wrote for BuzzFeed's Shopping and Products beat. 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. They tell things for others to read, but they only see the words, and not what the words are written upon. So its not an accident, and its impossible to give him the benefit of the doubt that it is an accident. I have lines. 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. 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. 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