Under the Whispering Door
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Description
Witty, haunting and kind, Under the Whispering Door is a gift for troubled times. TJ Klune brings us a warm hug of a story about a man who spent his life at the office - and his afterlife building a home. From the author of joyous New York Times 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 to collect Wallace from his own sparsely-attended funeral, Wallace is outraged. But he begins to suspect she's right, and he is in fact dead. Then when Hugo, owner of a most peculiar tea shop, promises to help him cross over, Wallace reluctantly accepts the truth. Yet even in death, he refuses to abandon his life - even though Wallace spent all of it working, correcting colleagues and hectoring employees. He'd had no time for frivolities like fun and friends. But as Wallace drinks tea with Hugo and talks to his customers, he wonders if he was missing something. The feeling grows as he shares jokes with the resident ghost, manifests embarrassing footwear and notices the stars. So when he's given one week to pass through the door to the other side, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in just seven days. Fans of A Man Called Ove and The Good Place will fall for this queer love story by TJ Klune. Praise for TJ Klune: 'I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect' - V. E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue 'A modern fairy tale about learning your true nature and what you love and will protect. It's a beautiful book' - Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series 'A whimsical, warm-hearted fantasy' - Guardian 'Fans of queer fantasy won't want to miss this' - Publishers Weekly
AI Overview
Title: Under the Whispering Door Author: T.J. Klune Publication Date: September 1, 2021 Genre: Contemporary Romance, Fantasy
Plot Summary
"Under the Whispering Door" by T.J. Klune is a heartwarming and humorous tale about a man named Wallace Price, who dies and finds himself at a tea shop called Charon’s Crossing Tea and Treats. This shop serves as a way station for newly departed souls, run by Hugo, the ferryman, and Mei, a reaper. Wallace, who spent his life at the office and neglected his personal relationships, must come to terms with his past and learn to appreciate life.
During his stay at the tea shop, Wallace meets various characters, including Cameron, a ghost who has disintegrated into a Husk, and Nancy, an unhappy woman who visits the shop regularly. Through conversations with these characters and Hugo, Wallace begins to regret his past actions and realize the importance of human connections. He also starts to form a bond with Hugo, which evolves into a romantic relationship.
Wallace is given one week to cross over to the afterlife, prompting him to live a lifetime in seven days. This journey helps him transform from someone who was dead inside before his physical death to someone who sees and relishes the life, love, and meaning his new "family" offers him[1][3][4].
Key Themes
- Appreciation of Life: The book emphasizes the importance of appreciating life and the connections we make with others. Wallace's transformation from neglecting his personal life to valuing relationships is a central theme[1][3].
- Grief and Death: The novel explores themes of grief, death, and the afterlife in a soft and hopeful manner, making it a unique blend of heavy subjects and uplifting storytelling[5].
- Redemption: Wallace's journey is also about redemption, as he tries to make amends for his past mistakes and find a new sense of purpose in his afterlife[1][3].
- Love and Vulnerability: The blossoming romance between Wallace and Hugo highlights the power of love and vulnerability in healing and transforming lives[5].
Critical Reception
"Under the Whispering Door" has received widespread acclaim for its unique blend of humor, heart, and deep emotional insight. Reviewers have praised the book for its uplifting and hopeful tone despite dealing with heavy themes like grief and death.
- Goodreads Review: The book is described as "hilarious, haunting, and kind" with a transformative journey that makes readers laugh and smile while also evoking strong emotions[1].
- The Bibliofile Review: The novel is praised for its insightful and deep storytelling that balances humor and emotional depth. The reviewer notes that the characters are delightful and the story is both funny and heart-wrenching[2].
- Haley's Book Haven Review: The review highlights the book's ability to make readers feel invested in the characters and their journey, noting that it is a "wonderfully wholesome" read that evokes emotions of hopefulness and trepidation[4].
- Berkeley Fiction Review: This review emphasizes the book's approach to heavy subjects like grief and suicide with a soft and hopeful tone, making it a standout in its genre[5].
Overall, "Under the Whispering Door" is a highly acclaimed book that has resonated with readers for its unique blend of humor, heart, and deep emotional insight.