It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. I wish that the lesson they took from the book is one of kindness and charity, in giving people the benefit of the doubt. 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. Genres Fantasy FictionLGBTRomanceYoung AdultAudiobookQueer .more 394 pages, Kindle Edition First published March 16, 2020 Book details & editions I stopped reading..but you shouldnt! The astonishing inhabitants he gets to know there will change his life and make him reassess everything he thought he knew. The characters he meets there will steal your heart. Thank you for this insightful comment! But, man, would it be worth encouraging you to give THITCS another try? [7][8], Klune's love of writing began as a child in the 1980s, where he would write fan fiction about his favorite action-adventure video game Metroid. If we do not believe these half-lies, these fables, why do we even try? Please tell me (warn me?) At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. I have holes. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. I cannot recommend it highly enough." Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart a Doorway "Is it possible to fall in love with someone's imagination? 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. 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. One of Publishers Weekly's "Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020" Yes I went in with a nervous energy but I really dont think that hindered my acceptance of any of it. Great messages about being yourself, family, and courage, with humor and fun along the way! I think Im out on this one although I wish I wasnt! 'I loved it. House in the Cerulean Sea By Ccile Tasson, Tj Klune and T. J. Klune A magical island. Its the belief that we are capable of making meaningful changes to the world we live in by performing small, seemingly trivial actions. 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. The House in the Cerulean Sea Audiobook Free Online Full. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. 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. He is also an advocate for better LGBTQ2+ representation in novel, wishing to see more asexual characters like himself reflected in books.[4]. 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. 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. 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. A dangerous task. Klune was born in Roseburg, Oregon. On its own. There are many villains in the world, and I remain unconvinced that T. J. Klune is one of them. How Do I Protect My Young Child from Cyberbullying? So, this is it? It is wish-fulfillment. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. **This is book #1 of the reading challenge that I set up for myself. They tell things for others to read, but they only see the words, and not what the words are written upon. if Im wrong. 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. I've read it twice and understand why Goodreads and TikTok readers love it so much. Linus and Arthur are both queer characters, but this isn't a central plotline of the story. 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. 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. At least Ill TRY. We must believe that all of us are, by and large, good people. Browse titles with similar subject matter. The House in the Cerulean Sea is brilliant and gentle, the narrative slipping on like a well-worn sweater while performing a certain magic that makes it all feel fresh. Fuck realism. I am parched parchment. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. "The House in the Cerulean Sea is a heart-swelling wave of sweetness and hope. Home is a multi-layered theme in the novel, as it relates to both places and people. The story follows Linus Baker, a 40-year-old Case Worker from the Department in Charge of Magical Youths as he travels to this highly classified location, burdened with the task of figuring out if the children are being adequately cared for (and if they, particularly Lucy, are likely to bring about the end of the world). It was a little gnome girl named Talia that he mistook for a lawn ornament. In practice, it's more like assessing how dangerous they are, and taking a hard look at the methods of Arthur Parnassus, the headmaster. 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. The House in the Cerulean Sea is a fantasy novel by TJ Klune, published in March 2020. Its the best book I read this yearand I suspect it will remain, always, one of the sweetest books I have ever read. I am but paper, and though there are many like me, none are exactly the same. 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. 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. Later in his childhood, he began writing original stories. The House in the Cerulean Sea is a breezy and endearing book, perfect for lovers of light, comedic fantasy. It comes from a place of anger and an unhappiness at the state of the world, and a sincere wish to right the wrongs we see. *Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends! 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. Readers can't get enough of this magical story. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's importantnow more than everto have accurate, positive queer representation in stories. Fantasy and sci-fi reviews by a Malaysian book wyrm. Take me in hardened hands, and I crumple. Why do you think so many such tales involve islands? 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. However, the book is more nuanced than this suggests. There are so many messages in this beautifully written story. As far as I can tell, Mr Klune is not fronting a specific story about First Nation people and neither is it marketed that way at all. Get me wet, and I melt. Change). A dangerous task. Garden Gal Why Kant and Schopenhauer? 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 cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases. The House in the Cerulean Sea, Klune's first stand-alone novel published with the Macmillan Tor imprint, was partially inspired by the Sixties Scoop, where the Canadian government removed Indigenous children from their homes and placed them with unrelated white, middle-class families. If you love (can tolorate?) See our. His task, in theory: look into the well-being of the orphanage's six young residents. 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. Without the worlds knowledge. 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. I hope youll like the other two. the other 2 fantasy books that I will be (forcing myself?) 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. 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. So does ambition when it interferes with kindness. My absolute favorite part of this book is the appearance of one magical child named Lucy, who is (quite literally) the son of Satan. "The House in the Cerulean Sea" is a 2020 fantasy book that's still a popular bestseller. experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected placeand realizing that family is. He has been working the job for seventeen years, and now he is forty, rotund, and alone. 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. If we do not believe these half-lies, these fables, why do we even try? 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. 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. There's a dreamlike quality to Klune's writing that entices . For more information, please see our From what Im gathering, they are about real people who do fantastical things. 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. Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Suggesting they are is gaslighting. Linus Baker is a social worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. The writing itself was good! That moved. I am but paper, and though there are many like me, none are exactly the same. The magical-being kids are being isolated from humans, who mostly want to kill them, and prejudice comes in for expert skewering. 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). . You can like the book and the author and still feel uneasy about the inspiration. I loved this book. Sorry it wasnt your thing. Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Daisy, 11, used her powers to throw a chair at another kid, Marcus. 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. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. AvaChannary. What damage had The House in the Cerulean Sea done to indigenous people? So the book begins with a girl levitating blocks above her head. It is charmingly uncomplicated and wears its heart of its dust jacketand sometimes, that is precisely what we need. BUT its about real people who do fantastical things. The following summaries about the house in the cerulean sea controversy will help you make more personal choices about more accurate and faster information. Ive heard such BEAUTIFUL things about this book! That's page 1. 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. He has lived his life according to the rules, until he is sent on a special project to Marsyas Island Orphanage - home to . By writing The House in the Cerulean Sea, they said that Mr Klune is. Being queer. The House in the Cerulean Sea is an adult fantasy novel, originally published on March 17, 2020. No made up worlds, no moving statues, no levitating blocks, etc. 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. The argument for that accusation, if I follow their logic correctly, is that since Linus is a regular human interacting with an underclass of magic beings, he is a stand-in for white people (even though he has as much a chance of being white as Talia or Lucy, who are magical children). Once I got acquainted with the characters, their situation, and Linus Baker's mission, the book took a bit of a leisurely pace. Its a fantastical story but one that has its feetsomewhatrooted in reality, compared to THITCS. Archived post. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. [2] Amazon noted Bear, Otter and the Kid as one of the top LGBTQ+ books of 2011.[10]. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. Maybe pictures would have helped me to want to continue reading?? 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. Liked the review. The message is strong and the subtle character nuances make it very fresh and important for our time. 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. I suspect I am liable to dislocate a shoulder if I try to reach as far as that. To begin with, I would like to express some general thoughts on the two books. It's the type of book that reminds you of being outside on a sunny day with a cool breeze blowing through. 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 document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com, If you like what you are reading, maybe you can, The Grandaddy of Vampire Stories: a Review of Bram StokersDracula, A Malaysian-Chinese Immigrant Speculative Fiction Story: a Review of Elizabeth Wongs We Could Not See theStars, The Controversial Politics of Fantastical Wish Fulfillment: a Review of T. J. Klunes The House in the CeruleanSea, 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, The House in the Cerulean Sea T.J. Klune theminhibookworm, House on the cerulean sea controversy - Reddiry. Baker is a fantasy novel, as it relates to both places and people he is,. 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Than everto have accurate, positive queer representation in stories wave of and. Please see our from what Im gathering, they are about real people who do fantastical things large. Your purchases gathering, they said that Mr Klune is one of them * this is book # 1 the.
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