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A review by ellenconverse
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
3.0
This was an easy, cute, and heartwarming story but in my opinion, it could have been half as long. I am a big fan of foreshadowing but Klune’s writing made this plotline so predictable that I knew what was going to happen 1/3 of the book in.
I think that we could learn a lot about this book and translate how the magical individuals of this story were treated to how marginalized communities were (and continue to be treated) today. There are definitely some parallels to real life. Reading about abusive experiences at orphanages made me think about the recent news of the “schools” for Native Americans. I could see this story and characters being an easy way to explain understanding and appreciating differences in others to children (or others who haven’t experienced much outside of their demographics).
This book made me smile and laugh more than I anticipated. I was won over by the kids just like Linus was, and I could really start to picture Marsyas Island. I liked the message stated over and over again that we are more than just parts of us. The bad parts of us don’t makeup who we are, and neither does society’s interpretation of us. The Antichrist can be a sweet little child and someone who looks like a monster can dream of becoming a bellhop.
This book preaches kindness, self-love, and acceptance. All three things that I think we can all focus on a little more.
All that said, I think this story could have been done in about 200 fewer pages. It was cute and I enjoyed it, but the storyline was drawn out and started to lose its appeal to me. I would recommend this book, but not one that needs to go to the top of anyone’s reading list.
I think that we could learn a lot about this book and translate how the magical individuals of this story were treated to how marginalized communities were (and continue to be treated) today. There are definitely some parallels to real life. Reading about abusive experiences at orphanages made me think about the recent news of the “schools” for Native Americans. I could see this story and characters being an easy way to explain understanding and appreciating differences in others to children (or others who haven’t experienced much outside of their demographics).
This book made me smile and laugh more than I anticipated. I was won over by the kids just like Linus was, and I could really start to picture Marsyas Island. I liked the message stated over and over again that we are more than just parts of us. The bad parts of us don’t makeup who we are, and neither does society’s interpretation of us. The Antichrist can be a sweet little child and someone who looks like a monster can dream of becoming a bellhop.
This book preaches kindness, self-love, and acceptance. All three things that I think we can all focus on a little more.
All that said, I think this story could have been done in about 200 fewer pages. It was cute and I enjoyed it, but the storyline was drawn out and started to lose its appeal to me. I would recommend this book, but not one that needs to go to the top of anyone’s reading list.