The House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is a lovely tale. It explores actual beauty in the most unexpected places, not in the sense that it is enticing or attractive, though those descriptors are also correct. In spite of exploring the fear and prejudice that floats to the top of society, Klune offers a message of optimism and unity, saying that if you start with a small number of individuals, everyone can change.
Linus Baker is a recluse who hardly receives attention from or respect from anyone. He studies the Rules and Regulations manual for his company in his spare time and is stodgy and a little overweight. Though he doesn’t appear to be aware of it, he is also excruciatingly alone. He has spent the last seventeen years of his life working as a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. There were signs put all over the city that read, “If You See Something, Say Something!”
In order to determine whether the magical orphans there are being cared for appropriately or whether any of them need to be relocated, Linus visits various orphanages that shelter these children. What occurs to the kids once they relocate? What if the orphanage is forced to close? Well, Linus shouldn’t know that. He has complete faith in DICOMY to handle those matters. However, one assignment takes Linus to a location he had no idea existed, where he meets kids who are sort of of a different breed and caregivers who have broken all the regulations he so dearly loves.
Because of preconceived ideas ingrained in our society’s societal consciousness (“If You See Something…”), these children are painfully mocked. Some of these kids who are different from the rest don’t realise they’re monsters until society repeatedly tells them they are. What options are left to them? Because most people are afraid of what they don’t comprehend, segregation lines have been drawn around these lost souls based on their extraordinary abilities and distinctive features.
The story is filled with beautiful, interesting people, earnest language, honest interactions (some LBGTQ+), and enough heart to destroy your tear ducts, even though the journey of Linus’ self-discovery is projected from the beginning. Klune is a natural and talented storyteller who conveys truths that are both contemporary and timeless, allowing me to spend just a few hundred pages living in his world through Linus’ eyes.
And I want to go back.
The story in this unique book will shatter your heart on one page and fill it with hope on the following. Stories like these serve as a helpful reminder of why we are doing this in this gloomy and challenging period that we are living.
The Review
The House in the Cerulean Sea
The plot has been sufficiently described, so just some comments. I really liked the book. I remember being so surprised and delighted with the author's humor and over-the-top, lovable characters when I first read him. Now I pretty much expect these things, and I look for more. Fortunately, this book had plenty more.
PROS
- A book with a message of kindness and love... absolutely wonderful!
- Practically Perfect in Every Way.
- Best book I have read so far this year!
- Beautiful. A Must Read.
CONS
- Not what was described.
- Homosexual Content.
- Nice story, poorly written.
- Simplistic, disappointing.