Book 802: The House in the Cerulean Sea – T.J. Klune

I knew I was going to like this going in because of how much I enjoyed the quirkiness of Klune’s The Extraordinaries, but I didn’t know I would like it this much! I’m now desperate for Flash Fire (the sequel to The Extraordinaries), but have months to wait!

The House on the Cerulean Sea is the story of Linus Baker, a cog in the machine that is the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY). He is sent to Marsayas to investigate the orphanage run by Arthur Parnassus, an extraordinary caretaker who cares for and teaches his wards but has his own secret.

Obviously, I was going to adore this book, even before I knew it was a queer love story. The overall theme of the novel is prejudice has no place in the world:

‘Sometimes,’ Mr. Parnassus said, ‘our prejudices color our thoughts when we least expect them to. If we can recognize that, and learn from it, we can become better people.’ (104)

And it’s presented through the six children on the island, all of which have unique powers or are unique in their very existence. Each of the children could be incredibly dangerous because of their known power or the fact that there is something so unknown about them, but Arthur sees these as treasures and highlights of their existences. And the important thing is that they are children first, all with horrible histories, and that all they need is love and a place to flourish to overcome the worst in them or to counter the fear people have of them.

This comment toward the end of the novel, although geared at Linus who was being a dumbass at the time, really highlighted the importance of a “home” versus a house or residence:

A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can’t tell me it’s not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It’s been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again? (281)

And although Linus continued being a dumbass for a little while longer, he made strives and plans for when he was no longer one and the ending of the novel was that much better for this brief moment of insanity by Linus.

The love story was achingly beautiful because of its subtleness, but also because of its normalcy. There were only a few pining looks and there was only one kiss, swoon by the way, but it wasn’t the focus of the story.

‘Too right. But, as I’m sure you’re now aware, I wasn’t speaking about . . . that.’ The last word came out delightfully low, as if it curled around his tongue and teeth before exiting between his lips. Linus was instantly sweating. (225)

Oof that one hit me in the feels. I mean you know it’s a good author that doesn’t even have to explicitly say something but can immediately get your attention, and then this scene at the very end of the novel, omg yes!

He was being kissed. He hadn’t even seen Arthur move. One moment, he thought he was about to break, and the next, his face was cupped in warm hands, and lips were pressed against his own. He felt as if he were on fire, burning from the inside out. He reached up, putting his hands atop Arthur’s, holding them in place. He never wanted this moment to end. For all the love songs he’d ever listened to in his life, he hadn’t been prepared for how a moment like this could feel. (383)

I’m going to have to read Klune’s actual MM romance novels, not just a novel that has a MM romance that’s part of it (even though this one was fantastic)! So definitely keep an eye out for more from him 😀

The focus of the story was Linus’ mental transition and the discovery of wonderment in childhood no matter who the child was or the preconceived notions about the child. And, as I think Klune planned, the relationship between Linus and Lucy (oh hey, Peanuts, just now got that and made me laugh) was perfectly summed up in this quote. From the first moment Linus was informed of Lucy’s parentage when he fainted to this final scene where Lucy is nothing more than an observant child seeing something Linus doesn’t want to acknowledge was perfectly done.

He felt Lucy’s hand brush against his face. ‘The others don’t know, but I do. I can see things, sometimes. I don’t know why. You. Arthur. He burns. Did you know that?’
Linus inhaled sharply.
‘Did he tell you that?’
‘No. I don’t think he’s allowed. But we know. We all know. Just like we know what you both did when you left the other day. He’s one of us. Just like you.’
‘I’m afraid I don’t have magic.’ ‘You do, Mr. Baker. Arthur told me that there can be magic in the ordinary.’ (334)

I’ve left a lot out especially the big reveal, but honestly it wasn’t that big of a reveal. If you’re a child young adult it’s probably a bit more of a surprise, but there were too many clues and not really any red-herrings for a more mature reader. But, I still very much enjoyed it from the descriptions and the interactions between the characters, it just made my heart melt.

For those of us that grew up with Harry Potter, you have to compare the two. And somehow this one wins hands down. It did something in 400 pages that Harry Potter wasn’t able to do in nearly 4,300 pages: it really highlighted the importance of chosen family and acceptance no matter who you are or what people think you’re capable of and really showed how much representation matters. Not even touching the Rowling TERF crap, but the fact that Dumbledore’s sexuality was kept off the page and the fact that Arthur and Linus relationship was normalized really hit this home for me. I would absolutely give my kids this book to read over Harry Potter and not just because it’s not as dark or as harrowing, but because it brings home those lessons without all the death and destruction. Klune’s subtleness and inclusivity far outweigh Rowling’s overused archetypal good vs evil ramblings.

I’ll leave off with this quote because even though Arthur said it, I think this was the point when Linus truly began to believe it and everything he did afterward was about living up to this:

 . . . those of us who dream of impossible things know just how far we can go when pushed to do so. (317)

Recommendation: I adored this novel. I’m glad that my generation is writing the books that will influence future generations. The inclusivity and acceptance in this novel really warmed my heart and the totally normalized queer love story (the old lady next door trying to fix Linus up with her grandson was hilarious) was perfect and I just want to live in the world Klune created. He’s two for two on my list, I’ll definitely be checking out his other work!

Opening Line: “‘Oh dear,’ Linus Baker said, wiping the sweat from his brow. ‘This is most unusual.'”

Closing Line: “Sometimes, he thought to himself in a house in a cerulean sea, you were able to choose the life you wanted. And if you were of the lucky sort, sometimes that life chose you back.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)

Additional Quotes from The House in the Cerulean Sea
“He’d accepted long ago that some people, no matter how good their heart was or how much love they had to give, would always be alone. It was their lot in life, and Linus had figured out, at the age of twenty-seven, that it seemed to be that way for him.” (31)

“You know, my grandson is looking for a personal secretary at his accounting firm. This could be your in, Mr. Baker. I do believe I’ve read stories that started exactly like that. Think about it. Your life is at its lowest this very moment, and you need to start fresh, which leads you to finding your true love. It practically writes itself!” (48)

“The things we fear the most are often the things we should fear the least. It’s irrational, but it’s what makes us human. And if we’re able to conquer those fears, then there is nothing we’re not capable of.” (132)

“I am but paper. Brittle and thin. I am held up to the sun, and it shines right through me. I get written on, and I can never be used again. These scratches are a history. They’re a story. They tell things for others to read, but they only see the words, and not what the words are written upon. I am but paper, and though there are many like me, none are exactly the same. I am parched parchment. I have lines. I have holes. Get me wet, and I melt. Light me on fire, and I burn. Take me in hardened hands, and I crumple. I tear. I am but paper. Brittle and thin.” (133)

“Just because you don’t experience prejudice in your everyday doesn’t stop it from existing for the rest of us.” (138)

“‘Humanity is so weird. If we’re not laughing, we’re crying or running for our lives because monsters are trying to eat us. And they don’t even have to be real monsters. They could be the ones we make up in our heads. Don’t you think that’s weird?’
‘I suppose. But I’d rather be that way than the alternative.’
‘Which is?’
‘Not feeling anything at all.'” (158)

“Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you’re not alone, you will overcome.” (276)

“There are moments in your life, moments when chances have to be taken. It’s scary because there is always the possibility of failure.” (339)’

“How could he have been so foolish? How could he have ever thought he could leave this place? It was color, bright and warm, and his heart felt like it was finally beating again. He hadn’t realized he’d left it behind. He should have known. He should have realized.” (377)