02/14/2022
I wish I could devote more time to writing book reviews (or ANY review in general, for that matter), but in this case I just have to crow about one of the most heartfelt, sweet, funny, and downright emotional novels that I've perhaps ever read. I had not been familiar with author T.J. Klune until I had joined a group on social media dedicated to voracious fans of the written word, and seeing several glowing posts praising one of his most recent works raised my curiosity enough to check him out...and I'm ever so glad that I did. I don't know exactly what I was expecting when I started reading "The House In The Cerulean Sea", but I can say that I wasn't fully prepared for the torrent of just plain good feels that it brought about in me. At a time when things have been particularly bleak and stressful, this wonderful story completely transported my worrying mind and eased my troubled soul.
So what is it about, you may ask? The premise sounds simple enough: Linus Baker, a case worker for the Department In Charge Of Magical Youth (DICOMY, as it's often referred to in the tome) is charged with the task of visiting and observing an island orphanage of questionable charges. Despite the fact that all of the six children are either very young or are in their teens, DICOMY is concerned that they may pose an apocalyptic threat. This idea is certainly not helped by the fact that one of the kids is the Anti-christ (yes, you DID read that right) and is only a young boy who goes by Lucy (short for "Lucifer", of course.) Now you might think that while that sounds frightening-and it definitely is to Linus, who feels nothing but genuine fear when he first meets the child-, we eventually come to discover that these children: a wyvern, pixie, gnome, a blob-like creature, a shapeshifter, and yes, said Anti-christ all have sad back stories but hopeful dreams and aspirations for better futures. These youngsters are under the loving and protective eye of their guardian Arthur Parnassus, a kind, caring, father-like figure who may be harboring some secrets of his own.
And what of Linus, who is almost unwillingly thrown into this group against his better judgement? Although a nice person who is quite good at his longtime job, he leads a rather lonely life outside of DICOMY as a homeowner of a small house with only his sometimes ornery cat Calliope to keep him company. Linus is a big fan of oldies and often plays vinyl records while at home to help pass the time of otherwise empty hours. So when he is thrust among the unusual charges and caretaker of the island orphanage, he doesn't know what to make of them. With the passage of his month required to stay and observe the children and Arthur himself, Linus comes to know each of them very well and discovers that his preconceptions of every single one of them is the complete opposite of his initial impressions. Not only that, he also learns the value of friendship, love, family, trust, and what had truly been lacking from his previous bland and somewhat non-colorful life. Arthur and the children genuinely change him for the better, and vice versa...and the results are stunning.
"The House In The Cerulean Sea" is marketed as a fantasy, but to me it became so much more. The lessons taught in this miraculous book really hit home for me and left me feeling uplifted, warm, and hopeful in a way that I had not felt in a very long time. It's a testament to love, family, believing in your own strength while lending your strength to others who truly need it, and most importantly? Kindness. I loved this novel more than words can adequately express, and can honestly say that it is one of the best that I have ever read. T.J. Klune has me as a fan for life now, and I couldn't be happier if I tried.
