The House in the Cerulean Sea

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• The House in the Cerulean Sea is a “cozy” fantasy. What would you say are the characteristics of this subgenre? Have you encountered other books or films with these characteristics? How does this one compare?
• At its heart, The House in the Cerulean Sea is a love story. Did you find the romance between Arthur and Linus believable? What does their relationship convey about the nature of romantic love?
• In what ways does the novel evoke myths and fables? How did this impact your reception of the novel and its themes?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Do you find it easier to relate to the story’s magical characters or its non-magical characters? How does this reflect your own interpretation of “magic”—both within the world of the story and in real life?
• What is the story’s definition of family? Do you agree with this definition? How do your own life experiences inform your perspective?
• How would you describe this novel’s sense of humor? Do you generally enjoy this kind of humor? Did you enjoy it in this particular novel?
• Have you ever personally had the experience of breaking free from rules and expectations that you found limiting or nonsensical? How was your experience similar to or different from Linus’s?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• The orphanage on Marsyas Island is partially inspired by the Canadian government’s historical policy of separating Indigenous children from their families. Which aspects of the plot reflect this historical policy? How does knowing this information enrich your understanding of the novel? Do you think that Klune’s choices are respectful of this tragic part of Canadian history? 
• The House in the Cerulean Sea is a “queer” fantasy that questions many social norms. Which contemporary norms does it call into question, and what alternatives does it propose? Do you think that this is an appropriate role for literature?
• How does the novel portray governmental agencies through its portrayal of DICOMY? Does this seem like a fair criticism of real-world government? Why or why not?

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• How does color help juxtapose the settings of Marsyas and the city? How does this symbolism add to the novel’s mythic atmosphere?
• Which experiences contribute most to Linus’s character development? How does his character arc support the novel’s ideas about prejudice, family, and social norms?
• Why does the society in this novel fear magic and oppress magical beings? What does the novel’s depiction of magic suggest about the nature of oppression?
• What is the rhetorical function of including the antichrist as a character? How does Lucy’s status as antichrist serve as societal critique? Which plot events and elements of Lucy’s characterization support your interpretation? 
• What “magic” do Phee, Talia, and Zoe have in common? How does this particular type of magic relate to the novel’s larger themes and to Linus’s character arc?

5. Creative Engagement 

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• T.J. Klune’s follow-up novel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, continues the story of Arthur and Linus’s fight to keep their home together and protect magical children. The story is largely focused on Arthur and takes place a year after the events of The House in the Cerulean Sea. What might a third novel focused on the children as adults look like? What might happen in such a novel, and what kinds of themes would you expect it to deal with?
• Music from the early and mid-20th century features prominently in this novel. If you were to update the music mentioned in the book, what contemporary songs might you choose? Why would these songs be appropriate?
• Much of the humor in the book comes from the eccentricities of the children on Marsyas Island. If you were to add a new character to the household, what kind of magical creature would this child be? What would their personality be like? How would they support the novel’s themes and motifs?