A review by weepy_iskwew
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

 
This book is light-hearted, whimsical, sweet, with some obvious ‘lessons’ that are still worth talking about. I enjoyed reading it. I also enjoyed the stylized form of writing, a little Lemony Snicket adjacent. I enjoyed the humor, the queer relationships, the mature and wholesome romance subplot, the found family vibes, loved all the children etc. etc. I also loved the scenery, worldbuilding etc. It was very vivid and could easily be translated into a show or movie someday. 
However… 
I read this book knowing about the controversy surrounding the author’s inspiration for the story. As an Indigenous person, I tend to avoid arguments about who should tell stories related to our history because I don’t have all the answers either. But, what I do know is that if you are going to tell our stories you better do it justice. 
The following are some flaws that I feel got in the way of this being higher rated for me. Especially if we look at this as a story inspired by the 60s scoop and other Indigenous history. Covering this whole section as spoilers just in case - read at your own risk! 
  • Linus is sweet, but ultimately the most boring character to explore the world through. Everything happens to him, and he does very little until the very end. He begins with certain beliefs and standards, but they are so comically ‘bad’ and he lets go of them so quickly it’s a wonder he hadn’t gone through this journey already. He’s kind of a nothing character to me which is unfortunate.
  • Also, Linus succeeds in the face of this supposedly crazy oppressive government department; which is a great success for the story but felt a little too easily resolved for my preference. Also, the resolution of the confrontation with the villagers felt a little unrealistic to me.
  • Linus (and a few others) hold problematic beliefs due to ignorance and once the ignorance bubble is ‘popped’ through exposure, the problematic beliefs and behaviors can and should be forgiven. Honestly, this is a perspective that many of my Elders would agree with and teach themselves. But, the radical side of me wants to say that ignorance is a choice, and not an excuse despite the forces that might be in place to keep you there. Someday, I’ll be as gracious as my Elders are lol.
  • Ultimately, there is no deeper analysis of the system and how it results in the children having no family or community to care for them. There are brief mentions of a deeper history, like boarding schools, and some of the individual stories of the children and how they came to this orphanage. However, it seemed like all the children were in care because of legitimate reasons (aka their parents were dead or presumed dead; to be fair some related to mistreatment by the non-magical government). However, the reasons why children were brought into care during the 60s scoop were much more nuanced, and a direct result of residential schools, racist policies, and systemic discrimination resulting in systemic poverty.
 
 

Ultimately, I think in favour of whimsy, and ‘feel-good’ story, Klune left out many of the deeper, more meaningful, and challenging parts of the history that he was inspired by. Which is a choice that an author is allowed to make, and one that some may like. But not really one that makes me excited.
 
That being said, I do wonder if some of this deeper story could be explored in the sequel. I’d reread this story, and I’ll be adding the sequel to my wishlist. However, I wasn’t so charmed by the whimsy or so convinced that this author has something significant to say that I’ll be rushing out to get it on release.
 
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