#Chauncey baker-parnassus

[destialpal]

I need everyone to understand how important Chauncey Baker-Parnassus is to me

[adhdbisexualramblings]

Chauncey: Oh, no, we’re going to jail!

Phee: Luci’s going to jail. I’m saying I was kidnapped.

Chauncey: Hey, that’s a good plan. You and I were kidnapped.

Luci: If I’m goin’ to jail we’re all goin’ to jail!

[acebedrawing]

The Baker-Parnassus family. In Whimsy We Trust🌊

Old doodles from when I first read House in the cerulean sea and recent digital pieces. I LOVE THIS FAMILY 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[aglioeoliocat]

a little family portrait

this book has altered my brain chemistry, made my life better, my days brighter and made me very happy and now I can't stop thinking about it

[house-in-the-cerulean-sea]

Chauncey at the beach 🧡

@dontuwishuwerehere

[tiziamezzosangue1]

I just desperately need an high school AU of the house in the cerulean sea, where there are Arthur, Linus, Zoe and Helen as teenage and they all like volunteer in the orphanage or something like that, so they find the children. And I want a LinXArthur slowburn, whit a deeper analysis of Linus character and his youth (obviously Arthur’s too, but I haven’t seen a fanfic about Linus’ childhood). I want to see a deeper relationship between Zoe and Helen.

I don’t think I am asking for too much 😭.

[vivianna06]

My favorite quote from The House in The Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

[beetlegoose01]

hey to those who love fantasy and queer stories might I suggest house in the cerulean sea? it's one of my favorite books and I highly recommend 🥰⛱️🏖🧚‍♀️

I'm so tempted to write fics about it

[myths-tournaments]

Found Family Tournament [Round 1 - Poll 10/64]

(list of characters under the cut)

THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA

Arthur Parnassus Linus Baker Zoe Chapelwhite Theodore Sal Lucy Phee Talia Chauncey

THE LAND BEFORE TIME

Littlefoot Cera Ducky Petri Spike

[strawberrycamel]

HI IM GOING TO EXPLODE /POSITIVE

I am going to recommend a book. a beautiful heartwarming desk-slammingly good book.

It's called The House in the Cerulean Sea and it's written by TJ Klune.

To summarize it without giving away big plot points, it is a beautiful story about a 40 year old social worker working for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY) visiting a special orphanage for a month long investigation.

This orphanage houses a handful of non-human children considered 'dangerous'- for example, there is a gnome who loves gardening and threatening people with her shovel, a kid made of goo who wants to be a bellhop, and also the son of the capital D devil. There's also the mysterious Mr. Arthur Parnassus, the master of the orphanage, which the main character, Mr. Linus Baker, has been specifically instructed to share anything he learns about the man in his weekly reports. By his final report, Linus must make a recommendation based on his experience at the orphanage, either to allow it to keep running or to shut it down for the safety of the children.

Man, man, I don't seek out slow burn stuff, but god the slow burn in this story is so so good. And the way that Linus slowly starts to love each and every one of the children, his initial fear of them melting away little by little is so fucking good.

I've been on a bit of a kick with fictional found family stuff lately, and this? Scratches the itch perfectly.

And Sal, my little boy, my little woofer, he tries so hard despite his anxiety and loves to write. He stands up for his family. He is so brave. I hug him. He is mine. My book blorbo. My blorbko.

Anyway, back to Totally Professional Review, I love how the fonts change to indicate printed writing. It's such a small thing but it makes me happy. And Lucy, a very dramatic little guy who adores old records. THEODORE MY BELOVED. What a guy. What a beloved lil guy who treasures buttons and other mundane things like they're made of gold. Talia and her beautiful garden, her beard so soft and well taken care of. Phee and her love of nature. Chauncey is gonna be the best bellhop ever, I believe in him. How could such a sweet boy be anything else?

That concludes my book rec. I will now explode in real life.

[semper-legens]

34. The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune

Owned: No, library Page count: 398 My summary: Linus Baker is a case worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, assigned to orphanages to see that magical children are being properly cared for. Proper and by-the-book, he is assigned to a ‘problem’ orphanage on a remote island - an orphanage that hosts a female gnome, a wyvern, a forest sprite, a blob boy, a werewolf, and the literal antichrist. Linus is expecting the worst. But with every day that passes, Linus finds himself caring more and more for the odd family on the island, headed by mild-mannered Arthur Parnassus and Zoe the island sprite. And as time goes by, Linus begins to wonder if he has a life outside of paperwork... My rating: 4/5 My commentary:

This book comes very well-recommended. And it's entirely up my street. I mean, please, a book about a home full of magical children seen as strange by the world and facing a lot of prejudice, and the case worker who falls in love with them and their lives? That's got me written all over it. And it was a fun book! Very charming, very endearing. The kids were all delightful, the main character was interesting, and I loved the world this was set in. More under the cut!

Our protagonist is Linus Baker, a by-the-book case worker for the government's branch dealing with magical youth. He goes into orphanages, ensures everything's running as it should, then leaves. He doesn't have dreams or ambitions, he's just a drone. But on going to the island, he finds his humanity, and allows himself to desire. In general I like protagonists in this kind of fiction that aren't Hot Young Singles, so seeing this relatively mediocre middle-aged man was actually really interesting! And his romance with Arthur, the head of the orphanage, was sweet. They play very well off each other, you really get a sense for how deeply compatible these two men are. The kids are also a delight. Fundamentally they're all just weird kids with magic powers who don't much trust outsiders - my favourite was Chauncey, a blob-boy who really wants to be a bellhop. Why? Saw it in a movie once and became obsessed with the notion. Which is exactly how little kid special interests work.

Not only is the worldbuilding here interesting, it's also revealed in small doses or at natural times, such as Linus going over the Rules and Regulations or reading case files. Magical beings are a Thing in this world, and are an oppressed minority, with children being forced into orphanages or schools and often abused by their caretakers. The signalling is pretty clear - the See Something, Say Something posters mentioned to be all over the place are so reminiscent of the posters with the exact same slogan that are all over train stations targeting immigrants. But magical beings aren't exactly one metaphor. Arthur and Linus' status as gay men are also the metaphor, it's allegorically representing a broad spectrum of marginalised communities.

The biggest gripe I had with this book was that the stakes didn't feel all that high. The kids are shown to be capable, threats are dealt with reasonably quickly, and people warm up to the kids rapidly on meeting them. A few decide to hate them for what they are, but they're portrayed more as one-note bigots than anything else. I get the wider point the book was trying to make about prejudice and systemic inequality, and it's admittedly effective in showing how individuals are often powerless in the face of systemic prejudice, and how even systems that seem to be working well from an outside perspective can be rotten to the core. It's just simplistic in its worldview, which isn't by necessity that bad a thing, but I was hoping for a little more nuance.

Next up...come on, grab your friends.

[readingforsanity]

The House in the Cerulean Sea | TJ Klune | Published 2020 | *SPOILERS*

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentified green blob, a were-Pomeranian and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they're likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren't the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place - and realizes that family is yours.

Linus Baker is an ordinary man working an extraordinary job. He is a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. These children, deemed strange and unusual by ordinary people, are kept in orphanges or schools until they hit adulthood, where they would then be registered with the Department in Charge of Magical Adults, where they can be monitored in everything they do, everyday.

When Extremely Upper Management requests Linus for a special assignment, he begins to question what their motives are. He is told that he would spend a month on the island of Marsyas, where an level four orphanage is being run by a man named Arthur Parnassus. In his tutelage are six magical youth. Linus is given their files on what is known of them.

There is Talia, a garden Gnome who is 246 years old. She is considered strange as Gnomes are typically male and not female. She keeps a wonderful garden on the property surrounding the orphanage, and despite her hardened demeanor is actually quite a joy to be around. There is Theodore, a wyvern, one of the few left of his kind, who keeps a hoard of treasures that he finds or takes, usually in the turret of the orphanage where he sleeps, or under the couch. He only lets the most trusted of people see it. Next we have Phee, a young forest sprite who remained next to her dead mother who had starved to death until she was rescued and brought to the orphanage. With the help of an island sprite, she has been able to control her powers, which for someone so young is rumored to be quite strong, something also unheard of and quite feared. There is Sal, a young broken boy, the oldest of the lot at 13, but who had been through so much. Within the last few months, he had been shipped to several different orphanges, and the more times this occurred, the less he felt like he was being accepted and at home where he was. His magical being is a Pomeranian, which he turns into when he is scared or angry, and after being struck by the master of his last orphange, was sent to the island, where he feels a bit more accepted but is still scared to come out of his shell. There is Chauncey, whose magical being isn't quite known or understood, but he resembles an octopus. His greatest desire in life is to become a bellhop and help people, and he does a wonderful job practicing with others in the orphanage as well as with Linus upon his arrival. And lastly, and quite honestly the biggest shock for Linus, is Lucy, short for Lucifer. He is titled as being the Antichrist - his mother deceased and his father is the devil himself. He is a 6 year old boy struggling with many emotions, and isn't quite sure how to handle the nightmares that occur, but with Arthur's help, these nightmares have become few and far between.

When Linus arrives on the island, he is determined to get to know the children in an unbiased way, as well as Arthur. He is unsure of Arthur's past, as his file had been suspiciously lacking in information. But, Linus begins to get to know the children, and Arthur, and his time on the island begins to open his once closed-off mind to the wonders of each of the kids.

During the week, he observes them during their schooling and personal time. He is invited to see their rooms and spaces that are theirs, and with a little determination, he earns the trust of Sal, who was once terrified that he had been there to send him away once again.

As the month goes on, Linus finds himself opening up more and more. And to his surprise, he also learns that Arthur is a magical being: a Phoenix, the last of his kind. Linus is absolutely floored by Arthur's beauty and their flirting becomes stronger and stronger. And through perserverance and Linus's help, Arthur is able to take the kids into the village where they are despised so much.

But, at last, Linus's time with with the children and Arthur has come to an end. Zoe, the island sprite, is devastated at Linus's choice to leave, and while Linus himself is hesitant to do so, he knows that the orphanage relies on his final report findings.

When he returns back to his home and his regular life, Linus feels lost. He explains to Extremely Upper Management that the orphanage should remain open, and that they should remain with Arthur, who has become a father to these children who have otherwise been burned by the government.

After weeks of hearing nothing, Linus learns that they had agreed to keep the orphanage open, and with that, Linus packs up his desk and quits his job, determined to return to the island, which he does, where he is accepted with open arms. He and Arthur begin a relationship, and everything is fine. It is when the mayor of the village comes to the island with a request to take in a new, undocumented youth, whom is a Yeti named David, that we learn that Arthur and Linus have decided to put in a petition to adopt the six children in their care together, and that Linus has officially moved into the home with the family he now loves so much. It is also alluded that he and Arthur will get married, and they can live their happy lives in the Cerulean Sea.

[mywavesyourshore]

House in the Cerulean Sea

Personally, I'm not fond of fantasy novels, keeping tabs on the intricate web of magical creatures and complex universes can get challenging (I had to look up fan-art for this book more than once, thankfully the art has been amazing). Yet The House in the Cerulean Sea is not your typical fictional conquest of mythical beasts, or a dark twisted journey to a bewitching forest, rather a wonderful and lighthearted story on prejudices, and a reminder to us all, that there's more to life on earth than the naked eye.

"The House in the Cerulean Sea" follows Linus Baker, a quiet and reserved caseworker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY). Linus' life takes an unexpected turn when he is tasked with investigating a group of orphans with magical powers, residing at the mysterious Marsyas Island. Along the way, he learns about the true meaning of family, friendship, and finding happiness in unexpected places.

One of the things that set this book apart is its ability to seamlessly blend the fantastical with the mundane, creating a world that feels both familiar and magical at the same time.

The characters are the true stars of the show, each one unique and lovable in their own way. From the gentle and kind Arthur Parnassus, the caretaker of the orphanage, to the mischievous and adorable children who call it home. The most enjoyable parts of the book is the children bantering and rambunctious daily activities.

While the story may seem light-hearted at first glance, it also has a powerful message about the importance of embracing diversity and fighting against discrimination. The story's overall set up and the juxtaposition of the character's lives creates wonderful friction for such conversation. Arthur and his children on a whimsical island, Linus in a grim corporate desk-job, between the ever-raining city and the sun-filled island . Arthur and Linus both have their reasons to stay within their respective world, is something I relate to. As a (practicing) adult, I know what regulations are made for, but color it with obsession and rules become limitation, cover our eyes from the wonderful thing humans can make. That's why most of us will slip right into misconceptions and stereotypes in order to avoid the discomfort of confronting our own ignorance. We blind ourselves, just because we can't handle how much of our kind we haven't understand. The House in the Cerulean Sea raises a tough but important question about our tendency to categorize people (and worse, segregated them) just to make it easier to understand the world.

What made this whole adventure less fulfilling, is the heavy handed approach and repetitious preaching. The moral lessons that TJ Klune tried to get through aren ill-intention by any means, but being too one-the-nose can feel forceful (especially when I already got the point made halfway through the book). With a bit more restraint and smarter exposition, this book could have been an absolute modern day classic.

Delightfully goofy at times, charming and kindhearted at others, The House in the Cerulean Sea is a beautiful little gem, a whimsical adventure with family at its heart. TJ Klune managed to tell an enchanting tale of love and acceptance touching on important issues, all the while bringing joy and laughter. I'm glad, for once, fantasy novels can just be about confronting our fears and not slaying the head off a dragon.

Final Rating: B+

__________________________________________________________

(Spoilers ahead)

What I like The chemistry between Arthur and Linus (goals tbh), their arguments give off old-married couple vibes.

My favorite characters Chauncey, an amorphous blob who aspires to be a bellhop. Chauncey's simple dream remind an overachiever like me that sometimes its best to not overthink your goals in life.

What put me off towards the end the writing was a little bit over-sentimental, and felt like the narration was rushing to get to a conclusion.

It would be better if the book had discussed more on both of Arthur and Linus's past and backstories, I'm curious to know more on why they have come to nourish a love for protecting children. Also, while the children are fun, the book didn't spend time on the world-building. A sequel could benefit this, should we get to know more about the magical creatures and the world they inhabit

Would I read it again? Yes, people described it as a warm hug. And as every hugs in the world go, you always need it most during

This is perfect for times when you need something warmth and uplifting, not recommended for people who don't believe in magic (seriously what's wrong with you)

[acebedrawing]

*Somewhere Beyond the Sea* out of context meme: The garden scene~

The fathers proceeded to sip their tea☕️

[leticiahorta]

Recently I’ve read the house in the cerulean sea and I loved it SO much!!! I couldn't stop thinking about them so I HAD to make a least a sketch of these lovely characters who have my entire heart

[kidovna]

This entire book played out like an animated movie in my head so i had to draw the characters as if they were in one 🌊✨