Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
on September 2021Genres: Adult Fiction, Fantasy
Pages: 384
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
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Under the Whispering Door is a contemporary fantasy with TJ Klune's signature "quirk and charm" (PW) about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with
When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.
Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop's owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.
But Wallace isn't ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo's help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.
When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.
By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, this absorbing tale of grief and hope is told with TJ Klune's signature warmth, humor, and extraordinary empathy
Wait, wait, there’s something in my eye.
Klune does it again with this charming and heartwarming story of life after death, and a chance of redemption. I can’t adequately express how charming this book is. All of the characters are so real, well described and filled with idiosyncrasies.. This story really shines as an ensemble cast. Everyone, and I mean even The Manager who isn’t in the story that much, is so well crafted it’s as if I could see them roaming the tea shop, milling around the living.
I love everything. The slow growing romance and mutual respect between Wallace and Hugo. The friendships Wallace didn’t know he needed. The mounting regrets finally realized and how he can make amends.
I am not gonna lie.
I cried at the end. The epilogue almost killed me.
It’s such a perfect package. We follow Wallace as he reassesses his life, and his mostly selfish choices, and with the help of new friends, realizes that he doesn’t have to be alone. That he can be good and helpful and heal. The message is powerful, that with love and acceptance and understanding, even those who are the most lost can find peace and grow. Cameron, who I won’t talk about too much, was a really deep and personal journey for me to read about after knowing friends who have also struggled with the same challenges.
Klune writes with compassion and love and most of all, hope.
That even for some who are lost, there is no reason to give up.
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
