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Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'
La casa en el mar más azul. Edición especial: Edición especial con cantos tintados by T.J. Klune, Carlos Abreu Fetter
1352 reviews
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The most heartwarming tale of the power of love, friendship, and following one’s own heart over prejudice and fear. Filled with magic, humor, and found family, and nearly every image bringing a smile to my face…a stand-out favorite.
Update: When I read this book, I was unaware that the primary inspiration was taken from residential schools and their violent, traumatic history. These schools and their harm have never truly or fully been acknowledged nor have reparations been made to victims and their families. Knowing this and the author’s lack of response or, to my knowledge, contribution to organizations supporting those affected, I will unfortunately no longer be recommending these books at this time.
Update: When I read this book, I was unaware that the primary inspiration was taken from residential schools and their violent, traumatic history. These schools and their harm have never truly or fully been acknowledged nor have reparations been made to victims and their families. Knowing this and the author’s lack of response or, to my knowledge, contribution to organizations supporting those affected, I will unfortunately no longer be recommending these books at this time.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Xenophobia
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment
Minor: Violence
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Xenophobia
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Fatphobia, Xenophobia
Minor: Violence, Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
Minor: Child abuse
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm very conflicted. I read this book as a queer person who has struggled with self-love and self-image, and I absolutely loved the story because of that. A review from V.E. Schwab on the cover of the copy I own reads "It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket." and that couldn't be more accurate. All the characters are wonderful, and I fell in love with each of them as they grew and changed. They are all unique but support each other, and there are constant affirmations of how perfect, and loved each child in the orphanage is. There are strong themes of chosen family, self-love, healing through trauma, following your passions, and finding a community who loves you for you and nothing else. There are also definite themes of discrimination in the book, and based on the protagonists, I got the impression it was against queer or disabled people who are often 'othered' in society. Linus also stumbles into the most wholesome romance with the master of the orphanage, and watching their romance blossom while also challenging each other's worldviews was wonderful. I found the unconditional love in an otherwise cruel, grey world to be beautiful. The House in the Cerulean Sea is very different from anything I've ready in quite a while.
All that being said, I've also been informed that Klune was drawing inspiration from the Sixties Scoop to write this book. (The Sixties Scoop was a period from the mid- 1950s to 1980s in Canada where a series of policies were enacted that enabled child welfare authorities to take indigenous children from their families for placement in foster homes. It's estimated that about 20,000 children were taken from the communities and birth families during this time.) I did not see this while reading, though if it is a comparison Klune meant to make, it's a distasteful one. The overall tone is a self-love & acceptance fantasy, which I know does not mirror the reality so many children and families faced during that time. As a non-indigenous person I cannot speak more to this issue, so I'd highly recommend looking into those implications and reading/hearing indigenous perspectives on this book.
Based on the above fact, I have a hard time recommending this book to others. I enjoyed it immensely while reading, but find discomfort in Klune's inspirations and the possible effects, hurt, and misrepresentation there.
All that being said, I've also been informed that Klune was drawing inspiration from the Sixties Scoop to write this book. (The Sixties Scoop was a period from the mid- 1950s to 1980s in Canada where a series of policies were enacted that enabled child welfare authorities to take indigenous children from their families for placement in foster homes. It's estimated that about 20,000 children were taken from the communities and birth families during this time.) I did not see this while reading, though if it is a comparison Klune meant to make, it's a distasteful one. The overall tone is a self-love & acceptance fantasy, which I know does not mirror the reality so many children and families faced during that time. As a non-indigenous person I cannot speak more to this issue, so I'd highly recommend looking into those implications and reading/hearing indigenous perspectives on this book.
Based on the above fact, I have a hard time recommending this book to others. I enjoyed it immensely while reading, but find discomfort in Klune's inspirations and the possible effects, hurt, and misrepresentation there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was excellent. I’m going to immediately grab the next one in the series and check out other books from this author. Very highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Hate crime
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Xenophobia, Abandonment