There is so much to love about this novel: a story of escaping societal expectations and carving out your own, authentic life; a novel whose hero reaches out to find true love and his true life purpose; a tale where children are protected, defended, and nutured to thrive, grow and are deeply loved. There is so much to cheer for in this novel. Bigotry is defeated through courage, kindness, and love. So why should anyone quibble with this?

Fair warning, reader— if you find anything wrong with this novel, you will be cancelled in the harshest possible way. Expect the mud to be thrown at you. Know that you will be labelled a bigot. We live in a culture where we cannot debate, where we must accept everyone’s point of view and behavior without question. This novel is framed to stake out the moral high ground, and any questioning that, well, you know what we think of you. So here I come to cast doubt on this otherwise delightful, inspiring novel.

First, the plot: Linus Baker is a conscientious case worker for the government entity DICOMY (Department in Charge of Magical Youth), investigating the conditions of state-supported orphanages, to make sure conditions are appropriate for the children’s safety and welfare. He knows the rule book by heart, and is courageous on behalf of of the children, a dedicated professional for fourteen years. Otherwise, his life is drab, lackluster, only brightened by his love of Fifties music and his unrequited affection for his cat, Calliope (named for the Greek goddess representing the Muse of music.) His life will be completely upended by the special assignment to investigate the conditions of the Marsyas Orphanage (Marsyas was the satyr who invented the flute), home to six extremely unusual magical youth and their mysterious and charismatic caretaker, Arthur Parnassus (Parnassus was the Greek home of the Muses, and thus of poetry, arts, and music.) Arthur is a kind, loving father-figure to the children, appreciating each for his or her unique gifts, nuturing and lovingly mentoring them to give them their best chance at a rewarding life, in spite of their society’s fear and aggressive rejection of them, due to their uniqueness. We feel the growing affection between Arthur and Linus, and know that this love story of shared values and life’s purpose will have to have a happy ending. So what is there not to like, indeed, love about this book? Wouldn’t you have to be despicable to find any issue with it?

If you believe that morality is more of a black and white affair, that the Judeo-Christian values of right and wrong are given to us in unequivocal, indisputable form by the Bible, then you will have a problem with this book. For morality is presented here as relative, as changing with the times. Acceptance of all regardless of behavior is demanded. This is brought to sharpest focus by the child Lucy, a six-year-old boy named Lucifer, whose father is the devil himself. Lucy is the Antichrist, and dreams of annihilating the world and enslaving all humanity, although these are merely nightmares of a six year old child, and must therefore be treated with love to overcome. What is Klune saying here? All differences are to be accepted without question, all character flaws can be overcome with love, any disputing of these values is to be cancelled and condemned. It is true we must love the sinner and hate the sin, as Christ modelled. But does this mean that Christ accepted sinful behavior? No way! He said there is a narrow path that leads to salvation, and a wide road that most follow. To accept any and all inclinations and urges as ordained, appropriate and natural, and requiring acceptance by all, is just not what He taught. However, to state this is to be considered, by this culture, as unloving and bigotted. This novel makes gods of man, all urges worthy of exploring and righteous. That is the essence of my problem with this book, and the culture at large. It is truly a book of this moment.

I am sure I will come in for criticism for this view. My point of view will appear intolerant and prejudiced. Of course, the children should be accepted, loved, nutured and cherished, as all children should. Of course a society that rejects them is despicable. But is all behavior moral? Is every urge we feel to be acted on, and anyone who claims otherwise reprehensible? Some of us feel that there is a higher authority, that we are not our own gods, and that morality is decreed by God and personified by Jesus, His Son. This novel rejects that idea. This is a nonnegotiable. This novel is a beautiful tale, that disguises a false lesson, and makes it easy to accept without question. Be careful to read closely. It will be read by adults and teens widely, but I wonder how many will even question its logic. I suspect it will be accepted as a feel-good fable of acceptance of all. Dangerous logic for young and old alike.