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. Welcome to Charon’s Crossing. The tea is hot, the scones are fresh, and the dead are just passing through. When a reaper comes … Crossing.
The tea is hot, the scones are fresh, and the dead are just passing through.
When a reaper comes to collect Wallace from his own funeral, Wallace begins to suspect he might be dead.
And when Hugo, the owner of a peculiar tea shop, promises to help him cross over, Wallace decides he’s definitely dead.
But even in death he’s not ready to abandon the life he barely lived, so when Wallace is given one week to cross over, he sets about living a lifetime in seven days.
Hilarious, haunting, and kind, Under the Whispering Door is an uplifting story about a life spent at the office and a death spent building a home.
At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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Oh my goodness. This book. Is. Everything. Expect to feel all the things – expect to laugh, to swoon, to bite your nails, to roll your eyes, to be verklempt, and to cry. I wish there was a way to give a book more than 5 stars. If so, this book would deserve all the stars. It is most importantly a story of a man who finds his people and his path but interwoven with this wonderful tale is an equally profound and beautiful philosophy about life and death. This book is a life, love, and death affirming masterpiece encompassed in a beautiful, heart warming story of death, messy life, love, family, and finding your path. The book is about Charon’s Crossing, a little tea shop at the end of a road in a small town. But it’s not only a tea shop. It’s also a way station for the dead who come to transition between life and death. It’s proprietor is Hugo, a ferryman, who helps the dead transition and the other employee is Mei, a reaper, who collects the dead and brings them to the tea shop. There are also two resident ghosts, Nelson, Hugo’s grandfather, and Apollo, Hugo’s dog. The book begins at Wallace’s death. Wallace was not a nice man for most of his life. He was selfish, entitled, and self-absorbed. But in the tea shop way station as Wallace prepares to move on, he gets the opportunity to look at his life, his choices, who he was, and who he’d like to be. “Death isn’t a final ending, Wallace. It is an ending, sure, but only to prepare you for a new beginning.” “There’s nothing for you to fear. You’ll no longer know pain. You’ll no longer know suffering. There will be peace for you. All you have to do is rise through the door.” TJ Klune is a master storyteller who has perfected the art of writing stories whose meaning and emotions stay with you long after you read the last word and whose main characters include beautiful three dimensional, imperfect, non-hetero characters who are also characters with such depth and so much heart that you want them to be your best friends. I will now be carrying Wallace, Hugo, Mei, Nelson, and Apollo in my heart every day because how could I not.
I’ve always wondered what happened to a soul after it has departed the “living” world. Klune’s story, though fantastical, seems so credible, just as a well-written story should be. Beautiful characters, imaginative plot and world-building, with a very satisfying conclusion. LOVED IT!
Oh wow! The imagery in this book is just gorgeous! Wallace is such a delightfully awful human in the beginning. Hugo and Mei have their work cut out for them! I adore a good redemption arc, and Wallace gives us an epic one. As a bonus, Nelson the grandfather is an absolute salty treat of an old man and a delight to read. I don’t know if there’s an afterlife, but if there is, I hope it starts just like this!
Under the Whispering Door is one of those stories that can resonate with everyone. We have all lost someone we love; we have all been faced with the grief and even if it seems like all is lost there is another side to the pain and suffering. For me Wallace’s story was a way for the living to see that death really is only the beginning. We don’t know what comes next and we never will until it is our time but no matter what you believe or don’t believe in there is something waiting for us when it is our time.
Hugo, Mai, and Grandad Nelson even Apollo’s story was a huge part of Wallace’s journey. I loved them all equally and in vastly different ways. Although Mai probably stole my heart a wee bit more than everyone else. She was the best friend, the confidant and the person that Wallace gravitated to when his feelings were becoming too much for him. Mai was a bit like the glue that held them all together even if it was in her own quirky way.
This review is so hard to write because the blurb says it all. For a story such as this the less information the better. It was a true journey of rediscovering yourself even when it seems as if it is too late. It is never too late to make better choices for yourself or the people you love. Wallace & Hugo’s story taught me so much and that might seem a bit whimsical, but it is true. You don’t always have to perfect or always make the right choices because the right people will be there for you no matter what.
Quick mention of Kirt Graves the narrator because he was phenomenal!! The way he was able to put the emotions into each character when it was an emotional moment, or the way he was able to add the laughter in his voice when something was funny. Just fantastic! Looking forward to hearing more from this narrator very soon!
I’ve yet to read a T.J. Klune book that wasn’t a five star read for me. Last year House in the Cerulean Sea was not only a five star read but it was a contender for my favorite book of 2020 and Under the Whispering Door has been my favorite book of 2021 so far. Every story of Klune’s is much more than just a story it is as if he puts his whole heart into the pages and you feel it in the words and the emotions of his characters. OK, I am going to stop now, or I am going to keep raving about the author and the book because honestly it was nothing short of perfection.
Under the Whispering Door
by T.J. Klune
I requested this book without reading the blurb and just based on the author. I am so glad I was granted my request! This is such a heartwarming and touching story! It’s about death and crossing over. It’s about love and also wasting your life on trival things.
After 2020 and 2021, death is everywhere! I don’t think anyone is spared not knowing someone’s family or maybe had their own family hit by sadness.
This book is about a very cruel, selfish man who only cares for his business and none of his workers. The opening scene shows us exactly how much of a jerk he is. But then he dies. A reaper comes for him and takes him to a Tea Shop. There the owner explains he is dead and when he is ready, he will help him cross over.
During the time there a lot happens. He learns a lot of lessons the hard way, has some odd adventures, meets The Administrator (the feared and powerful), falls in love, and learns things he should have learned during life.
I cried a lot! Mostly good tears! Especially during the end. I also giggled some during the book. This was such an awe-inspiring book! Tender, a touch frightened due to the subject but once I was into it, it was comforting.
I hope my father went to this Tea Shop last year! I picture him sitting down, joking, laughing with the owner, and was happily led to the door! I thought of all those people who died and hoped and wished they too had Tea at a shop like this!
This is a book for anyone who has lost someone, anyone who has wasted there life on trivial issues, and anyone who wants an inspiring story!
Thanks again to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this life changing book! I will never drink tea again without thinking of this book!
This story is amazing. It is quirky, funny and heartwarming but also sometimes sad and heartbreaking.
Wallace is unwilling to go quietly into death. In the space between death and life, he learns everything he didn’t know about himself, living and loving.
I listened to this book on audio. The narration was wonderful. It entertained and only added to my enjoyment of the story. #NetGalley #NetGalleyAudiobooks
-5 Stars-
One of the best books I have listen to … ever!
The story is heartwarming, tragic, magical and will change your heart.
Wallace is an obnoxious man that absolutely nobody likes. He is the managing partner of a large law firm and even his partners find him barely tolerable. His ex-wife’s opinion is worse. Suddenly Wallace finds himself on the floor of his office dead. At his funeral, he meets Mae who escorts him to Charon’s crossing. There he learns what it means to truly live and to care for others. It is not an easy road and mistakes abound.
This is a fantasy story that you want to be true. I hope I get the blessing of going to Charon’s crossing before going through the door to the rest of my journey. The story is humorous. I will never look at bikinis and high heeled boots the same again! I will always remember:
The first time you share tea, you are a stranger.
The second time you share tea, you are an honored guest.
The third time you share tea, you become family.
This is an absolute must read!
I received an ARC from Macmillan Audio. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.
This heartwarming tale about life, death and everything in between was a charming and comfortable read despite the focus on heavier topics. The book begins with a scene of Wallace Price as he fires one of his long-time employees going through a tough time for reasons that seem arbitrary. After such a display of cold heartedness, it is no surprise when we cut to a scene of Wallace attending his own funeral with only his spiteful x-wife and 3 unsympathetic partners in attendance. These first chapters made me a little worried about where the story was going. Wallace comes across as your typical ‘Scrooge’ character and it seemed to be veering pretty close to the same tale of afterlife redemption that we’ve seen/read many times. However, it was worth getting through the first couple of chapters as the story transforms into the charming tale I was hoping for.
The majority of the tale takes place in a remote tea shop run by a man named Hugo. In addition to being a purveyor of tea and baked goods, Hugo is a ferryman for lost souls. The aptly named Charon’s Crossing serves as a refuge for the newly departed while Hugo counsels them through accepting their deaths and preparing to move on. Both Hugo and his reaper, Mei, are living beings that have been placed in their roles to help the dead instead of leaving the task to some form of higher, all-knowing being. This creates some interesting play with the boundaries between life and death as well as some gaps in understanding each character has to work through. Every character is very much on their own journey as they seek to help each other.
In the beginning, Hugo serves as more of a psychiatrist for Wallace. In this sense, the book takes a very direct approach to Wallace processing his death. However, this was thankfully not the regretful trip through memory lane I feared it would be. Aside from a few memories that pop up, this story is very much about being in the present and having the confidence to face an unknown future. Wallace is lost in a way that makes him both compelling and flat in equal measure. A lot of the negative feelings I have towards this character I think are purposeful and part of what makes him deeply tragic. However, there are also moments I feel the use of this character prevents us from going deeper into areas I really wanted to explore more.
Though there are some tense moments, the story as a whole is a slow roller. It is predominantly about exploring different philosophies around life, fear, pain, and death through the characters. I did not find it too heavy handed, but the slower pace might not be for everyone. I experienced this book as an audiobook and definitely think that the narration helped the pacing and humor. Despite the heavy themes, this book is not explicit and would be appropriate for both teen and adult readers (though it focuses on adult characters). Trigger warnings include mental health, murder, suicide, and death.
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing this audiobook ARC!
Under the Whispering Door was beautiful and heartbreaking. I kept thinking “how is a story about someone dying so funny and addicting?”
Wallace didn’t live his life to the fullest and now that he’s passed, he’s finding out just what was missing. As he’s in limbo, waiting to cross over, he forms a friendship with the ferryman, Hugo, and the rest of the gang. It is a little predictable, how Wallace learns from his mistakes while living and does his best to be a better…ghost.
The romance felt minimal to me. I wasn’t sure where it came from. It felt like they were becoming friends and then BAM.
But none of that really matters to me because I still adore Under the Whispering Door. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking, funny and sad, beautiful and crushing. It is still so surprising to me that a book about death could be so sweet and insightful and make me feel so much.
Lastly, Nelson may only be a side character, but he may be one of my favorite characters to ever grace a page. Under the Whispering Door was so well written and enjoyable and I’ll look forward to more by T.J. Klune.
It’s been quite some time since I read a book by T.J. Klune. I actually don’t remember how long it’s been and since he’s one of my absolute favourite writers, that’s quite a statement from me.
I think it’s partly because his book releases have gotten further and further apart and partly because the prices of his books have risen to a level that getting one has become a splurge for me. I find this unfortunate(for me me at least lol), but I guess that’s how life is.
Anyway, before I completely go off tangent, I was super excited when I got this book because I KNEW that if for nothing at all, the story would be extremely well written.
Was I right? You bet your butt I was!
Like I’m sure most of the reviews have said, it would be best to go in fresh and without any concrete knowledge of what happens in this slice of awesomeness but, I’ll try and give you a sense of things.
Wallace was a stick in the mud for all intents and purposes. Ruthlessly efficient and not bothered with “silly” things like emotional connections. He was…not a nice person. This book is essentially about him attempting to find out how the universe worked and the people that helped him get to that point.
It was a beautifully written tale which was quite heavy at times but it had great humour interspersed to make the subject more digestible. There were many times I actually burst out laughing and caught myself with a silly grin on my face while reading this. Oh and special mention go to Nelson and Mei. They were the perfect secondary characters.
All in all, and as you can tell from my rating and my barely restrained excitement in the review, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot recommend it enough.
I was fortunate to have gotten this copy from the publisher but I can tell you with absolute certainty that if you have the money to buy this book, it would be very worth the price.
Oh my goodness but TJ Klune writes the most magical incredible stories! I absolutely loved this one… It was a difficult read for me – my dad died a year ago, and I’ve been struggling with grief for some time now. A book focused on death and the afterlife may seem like a strange choice as a result, but I found it therapeutic and delightful and hopeful all at once.
That’s totally down to the magic of Klune’s storytelling skills. The book is, in a word, brilliant. It’s original and clever and thought-provoking, all while being endearing and entertaining and running the gamut of emotions. I literally laughed and cried.
The characters are marvelous and totally human in all their foibles and frailties. Characterization is one of Klune’s particular gifts, and that gift is on full display here. World-building runs a close second though, make no mistake, and that is managed deftly and with humility and humanity, as it was in Cerulean Sea.
It’s a magnificent story and definitely one I’ll read again and again… There is so much complexity here that I imagine the rereading will be every bit is delightful and feel every bit as novel as the original read did. That doesn’t mean it’s an overly complicated story – or one that you cannot grasp if you read it only once. You definitely can. But as with so many good things, I can tell it will only get better with time…
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
I hadn’t realized death could be infused with such great vibrancy until TJ Klune’s “Under the Whispering Door.” It faces bereavement with a wit, charm and whimsy which softens the harsh truths it examines.
As a psychologist of forty years, I was with many people in their last moments and with others who mourned. Only a few approached death like TJ Klune, running towards it with a gentle glee that lit their transition with hope, decreasing my own fears. For the rest, I wish I’d had this romance to offer them … Because it is a romance through and through.
Here’s the premise. In life, Wallace was an unkind lawyer who believed the ends justified the means. After sudden death, he’s taken by a reaper, Mei (a human who can physically interact with ghosts) to meet his ferryman, Hugo. A ferryman helps the newly dead come to terms with unfinished business and get ready to enter the door to their afterlife… a door that is on the top floor of Hugo and Mei’s tea house. They’re human, after all, and need to earn a living, so they own a real bakery, which grows its tea leaves on the grounds. Also present are two ghosts who haven’t transitioned, Hugo’s dog and grandfather, Nelson.
Wallace is so busy recapturing human decency that he feels more alive in death than he did before. But change is hard and slow. “Honesty was a weapon. It could be used to stab and tear and spill blood upon the earth. Wallace knew that; he had his fair share of blood on his hands because of it. But it was different, now. He was using it upon himself, and he was flayed open because of it, nerve ending exposed.”
Throughout this process, Wallace’s conversations with Mei, Hugo and Nelson examine the unfairness of living past those we love, or of facing our own ultimate unknown. “Time. We always think we have so much of it, but when it really counts, we don’t have enough at all.”
Yes, I depleted a travel size tissue box while enjoying “Under the Whispering Door,” but didn’t mind or feel uncomfortable. Because as snot dribbled, I was either pondering a really wise throwaway line (“A river only moves in one direction”) or hungry, as tea and delicacies were passed out. Often I was swooning at these men’s love. Though Hugo and Wallace are unable to touch, their affection transcends sensory intimacy.
What makes a novel on the dreaded topic of mortality so damned approachable? First is Mr. Klune’s vivid imagination – a tea shop to the other side, indeed! Then, he paints people with a nuanced delicacy. I recognized and loved (or love to hate) them. The plot builds until my whole world became irrelevant in my urgency to learn Wallace’s fate. And finally, Klune’s phrasing, his small details and observations, are as heady a brew as the tea Hugo serves, tea I could almost taste.
I full-heartedly endorse “Under the Whispering Door,” whose great care for, and respect of its audience, proves love continues on, rescuing the living, so that we may love again. Try it and you might just to lose a little fear of death, yourself.
Don’t be fooled by that magnificently colorful cover that reminds you of his previous novel – this is no House in the Cerulean Sea.
It’s about a Wallace, a curmudgeon of a man who dies and is being led to the door to cross over, but this fussy ungrateful man isn’t ready to go. Out of kindness he is given one more week by the man who is to help him cross, and in seven days Wallace learns to live an entire lifetime.
Whispering Door is a book about life, love, compassion, and grief. It’s a captivating tale full of warmth written with a tender heart and an insightful hand that somehow is able to teach us to appreciate even the smallest of things around us every day. It’s a brilliantly writen story that will warm the heart of even the hardest person yet can be appreciated by every age group. T.J. Klune has proven once again that he is a force to be reckoned with in this beautiful book, and you don’t want to miss it.
Oh, are my eyes going to be puffy tomorrow, the tears! I don’t even know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I loved it.
Yes, my eyes are still puffy this morning! And no, I still don’t know how to put into words my feelings about this book that I love so much. I full on cried, at times sobbing, from 74% on, it hurt so good.
Under the Whispering Door is such a unique story. Wallace’s journey was so sweet and hopeful, and unlike anything I’ve ever read. It deals with death and grief in such a way that you can only hope when it’s your time to go there’ll be a Hugo and a Mei, a Nelson and an Apollo, to lead you on your way. Found families are truly the best, and Wallace was so very lucky to have found this one.
Death isn’t a final ending, Wallace. It is an ending, sure, but only to prepare you for a new beginning.
Poignant and endearing, and at times laugh out loud funny, Under the Whispering Door captivated me from start to finish.
Under the Whispering Door tackles a very heavy serious topic: death. Basically, there’s death, grief, and what comes next unpacked in this story. Honestly, if I hadn’t read The House in the Cerulean Sea and if this book wasn’t written by TJ Klune, I don’t know if I would read it considering the serious themes in it. But I’m so happy I didn’t miss this one.
This story is a journey. Wallace’s journey: alive, dead, and then to what comes next. I was hooked by the storytelling from the first page. Wallace was not a good person when he was alive and suddenly, very unexpectedly in his opinion, he is dead. He meets a reaper at his own funeral that takes him to the ferryman. The man who is going to help Wallace cross: Hugo. Hugo owns a tea shop in the middle of nowhere in the cutest house that remains intact defying gravity. The thing is… Wallace is not ready to abandon life and Hugo will help him through it, to get Wallace to where he needs to go.
TJ Klune is a master at creating amazing characters. The cast of characters in this book is fantastic. Wallace, the flawed lawyer that didn’t care for anyone other than himself and his job; Hugo, the ferryman with a huge heart and anxiety; Mei, the funniest, in your face, loud Reaper; Nelson the most mischievous, hilarious character ever and Apollo the clumsiest, sweetest dog. I loved every single one of these characters. All of them were so different from each other and yet they fit together perfectly. Wallace’s character growth while he was dead, the emotional journey, the connections he forges with other characters, how he falls in love with Hugo… everything was so well done. I couldn’t stop reading it. The story was beautifully written, it’s cozy and whimsical, sad and heartbreaking, funny and sweet, deep and emotional. I loved every second of it. The plot may be a little predictable but the journey is everything.
On a very personal level, as someone who doesn’t deal well at all with death, loss, and grief, Under the Whispering Door will stay with me for a long time. A must-read.
T.J. Klune’s Under the Whispering Door is a complex work of contemporary fantasy which tells the story of recently deceased lawyer Wallace Price who struggles to understand life beyond the death of his uninspired and disappointing life as one of the living. His reaper Mei escorts him to a curious tea shop manned by the ferryman Hugo and his ghostly grandfather Nelson and ghost service dog Apollo. This was a “waiting station” for those like him, where he would need to come to terms with his death and be ready to move on to whatever came next. This was easier said than done, especially with his growing attraction to Hugo and grudging fondness for Mei, Nelson and Apollo.
The subject matter of Klune’s most recent work is weighty and potent, and the author tries to infuse levity and whimsy in its treatment, even as he navigates difficult questions about life, death, living, the purpose of life, and so on. The moments of humour in the story do not detract from the gravity of its subject but serves to highlight the same. While grief and coming to terms with grief is one of the underlying themes of the novel, regret and repentance are key to the action of the story. To the age old moral dilemma, what is the point of being good or bad in life in the face of the inevitability of death, Under the Whispering Door offers the simple yet reassuring response: “Because it’s YOUR life … It is what you make of it.”
Klune’s prose is, as always, beautiful, immaculate, and impactful. I found the first half of the novel a little slow and laborious to work through, though I suspect it was due to the nature of the story the author is writing. In that regard, I found the pace and levels of complexity of writing mirroring the state of its protagonist’s mind. As a work of contemporary fantasy, Under the Whispering Door straddles an odd and precarious line between realism and fantasy. Sometimes this works in its favour, sometimes it does not. I found the latter to be the case in Klune’s depiction of characters other than the protagonist. Characters like Mei, Nelson and to some extent even Hugo, seem almost like exaggerated caricatures in action, with side characters like Desdemona, Norah and Alan seeming even more so that way. Curiously enough, it was in their individual interactions with Wallace, especially in moments of vulnerability or confidence, that these characters appeared more real, complex and relatable.
A few inconsistencies notwithstanding, Klune still succeeded in bringing to life a heartwarming story of love and redemption with a cast of memorable characters. Apollo the ghost dog was easily my favourite with Mei the knife-happy reaper coming a close second.
This will be a short review because sometimes you just need to express your feelings and not go into excess details.
I have never read anything by this author before but kept seeing their work mentioned . This isn’t perhaps what I would normally choose to read and escape reality from but boy did it make me feel . An unusual, quirky view of death and grief . Both funny and poignant with characters on their own journey. Yes at times the pace was too slow for me but emotionally it wrecked me so how could I give less than five heart felt star’s ?
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Wallace is a very successful attorney, he is selfish and basically lives to work. After a heart attack he dies and has barely anyone at his funeral.
Wallace realizes he must really be dead when a reaper comes to collect him. He is taken to a read shop where they ferryman Hugo waits to help him cross over. However Wallace is angry and not ready to go.
Hugo helps Wallace start to learn about the things he missed in life and reflect. Wallace has a week to crossover and is determine to live the life he missed in during those days.
This book is an emotional roller coaster. This story deals with coming to terms with death and what it really means to be alive. This charming will touch your heart and make you cry all at the same time!
A huge thank you to NetGalley for my ARC. You can get this on September 21st.
There is so much to love about TJ Klune’s Under the Whispering Door that I almost don’t know where to begin. I feel like I’ll never be able to put into words how much this book touched me. The story is exceptional, as are the characters, themes, and messages. It’s a story that leaves a lasting impression and made me a fan of the author for life. It’s profound and touching, emotional and moving. At times, it’s laugh-out-loud funny, and other times it’s unbelievably sad – in short, it is an outstanding read that made me feel all the feels.
Filled with loss and love, grief and happiness, and so much more, this book left me in a puddle of tears but also completely content and happy. I love books that evoke such strong and varied emotions. Months ago, one of my book blogging friends talked about the power of Klune’s writing, and I must wholeheartedly agree with her.
Wallace is not a very good person. He is selfish and so focused on his career that he thinks of nothing else. Upon his death, Wallace’s spirit is taken to a remote tea shop which serves as a resting place before a person moves on. His character is so unlikeable at the start of the story, and the way he acts and treats people is unappealing. At the tea shop, Wallace meets Hugo, the ferryman who will guide him, and an eclectic cast of characters who help Wallace find his way. However, Wallace isn’t ready to move on, and as he stays at the teahouse must face his past, his reality, and what lies ahead.
Wallace grows and changes so much throughout the story. In death, he learns what is most important in life, and it is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Other characters in the story are equally interesting, and I found myself as invested in their stories as I was in Wallace’s. Every single character, good, bad, and in-between, is compelling and stole my heart. And I love how all of their stories and experiences contribute to Wallace’s growth and understanding of the important things in life.
The found family is one of my favorite parts of this story. I love each character in Wallace’s new life and how each contributes to their family unit. They have distinct personalities and skills, and each helps Wallace in their own way learn what is most important in life and beyond. Hugo is so kind, supportive, hopeful, and understanding, and I love his quiet strength. His dog Apollo is so sweet and funny, and Hugo’s grandfather is hysterical. I love all of his silly antics and his loving way of taking people under his wing. Mei, Wallace’s reaper, is quirky, affectionate, and so funny. Even Wallace found his way into my heart, especially once he found his. Individually, these characters are well-layered, interesting, and unique. Together, they are an exceptional unit with a strong and unwavering connection.
The story examines how people cope with death, how people grieve and heal, and how people prepare for the unknown. Death is unavoidable, but everyone deals with it differently, which this book highlights perfectly. The story also explores so many deep and universal questions that I think all readers can relate to. What is our purpose? Why are we here? What comes after death? What does it mean to be a good person? Simple yet profound concepts that many people face at one point or another in their lives become thought-provoking plot points throughout the book. I love how Klune weaves these tough topics into the story with skill and honesty, creating a well-rounded, deftly layered, and unique narrative.
I adored Under the Whispering Door! It’s is everything I never knew I always needed, beautifully written, poignant, and more than I ever expected. A powerful contemporary fantasy, intricate and nuanced, it made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time, and it has so many wonderful layers. It’s a novel about love, loss, finding oneself, and faith. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Tor Books, and TJ Klune for an advanced copy of this brilliant book in exchange for my honest review.
Multitudes
Under the Whispering Door is so much more than a love story. It’s a beautiful, emotional one but to me, this book at its heart is a story about courage, compassion, family, friendship, acceptance, and finding the person you’re meant to be. Though Wallace was a difficult man to even like at the beginning, as he grew so my did my heart for him. His journey was so sincere and so real it brought tears to my eyes. It’s an absolutely brilliant, thought-provoking, at times humorous, and at others, heartbreaking read that I highly recommend. Just make sure you unexpect as you read.