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Under the Whispering Door

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Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune is a heartwarming and emotional story that explores the themes of life, death, grief, and acceptance. The book follows Wallace, a workaholic lawyer who unexpectedly dies and finds himself in a tea shop in the afterlife, guided by Meiying and Hugo. Through interactions with the residents of the tea shop and the reapers, Wallace undergoes a journey of self-discovery and redemption, learning the true meaning of life and love even after death. The writing style is described as tender, insightful, and kind, offering a unique perspective on death and the afterlife with a touch of humor and whimsy.

Characters:

Characters include Wallace, an initially unlikable protagonist, and Hugo, a charming ferryman, along with a cast of quirky supporting characters that enrich the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style features simple yet touching prose that balances humor with emotional depth, creating a whimsical and heartwarming narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot presents a unique exploration of death and afterlife, highlighting personal transformation, grief, and love through a man's journey.

Setting:

The setting centers around a whimsical tea shop that serves as a waystation for souls, creating a cozy and imaginative atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow initially, with character development leading to a more engaging narrative as the book progresses, though some sections may feel draggy.
“How could I not?” he said. He folded his hands on his oak desk, his Arper Aston chair squeaking as he settled in for what he was sure was going to be a case of unfortunate histrionics, all while tryi...

Notes:

Under the Whispering Door deals with heavy themes like death, grief, and the afterlife.
The protagonist, Wallace Price, is a selfish lawyer who dies suddenly from a heart attack.
Wallace's character transforms throughout the story as he learns about love and empathy.
The book features a unique setting of a tea shop that serves as a way station for souls amid their transition to the afterlife.
Several characters, including a Reaper named Mei and a Ferryman named Hugo, guide Wallace on his journey.
The narrative explores LGBTQ+ themes and representation, promoting the idea of found family.
Readers have described the book as bittersweet, with a mix of humor and emotional depth.
TJ Klune wrote this book following a personal loss, adding to its emotional weight and authenticity.
Comparisons are often made to Klune's previous work, The House in the Cerulean Sea, which also highlights themes of love and acceptance.
The story includes a ghost dog named Apollo, who contributes to the warmth and coziness of the tale.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Contains themes of death, suicide, grief, and mental health challenges.

Has Romance?

There is a notable romantic subplot between the main character and another key character.

From The Publisher:

A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY AND INDIE BESTSELLER

An Indie Next Pick!

A Man Called Ove meets The Good Place in Under the Whispering Door, a delightful queer love story from TJ Klune, author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Ratings (153)

Incredible (43)
Loved It (57)
Liked It (31)
It Was OK (15)
Did Not Like (7)

Reader Stats (363):

Read It (156)
Currently Reading (4)
Want To Read (163)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (38)

6 comment(s)

It Was OK
1 week

I loved the first book but wasn't as overjoyed with this one. Not a bad story by any means. Liked the topics and how the story unfolded. However it wasn't quite my cup of tea

 
Loved It
1 month

I’ve been in quite the depressive state and this book took me out of it. I actually laughed outloud a few times through this book which is kind of a big deal for me. Definitely a good read for processing grief and accepting life beyond death. Absolutely worth the wait at my library.

 
Liked It
1 month

A lot of my friends really, really loved this. I honestly found it a bit annoying. The arc of Wallace having wasted his life and becoming a better person somehow made me feel more accused than uplifted. And I get a little squirrelly when SFF goes all mythic and metaphysical. And not believing in an afterlife, the premise put me off -- and in a different way than wizards and unicorns would, even though I don't believe in those, either. So, a well-executed book, probably, but not the right book for me.

 
It Was OK
2 months

3.5 stars.

 
It Was OK
3 months

3 *

RTC

 
Did Not Like
11 months

The writing style did not work for me

 

About the Author:

TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries, and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's important-now more than ever-to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.

 
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