Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

27 reviews

lightningmc_logyn's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was a slow burn for me. I struggled to get through it, until the last 150 or so pages of the book. Then, I sped through it to the end. 

The description on the jacket feels misleading to me, most of the book occurs in a particular emotional space established early on in the story. There is growth and plot progression, but it is slow and subtle. In the end, I loved this book. Klune writes about death with poignancy, gentleness and confidence. The characters feel real and they are easy to root for. I cried a lot, unexpectedly. Oh, and I will always give praise for media that includes queer characters with no homophobia present-we deserve uplifting representation. 

This book is a journey following the main character Wallace, and learning who he really is. And through that, the reader perhaps gleans some fresh perspective on death and grief. 

Some personal complaints, I don’t like the “person with a cane uses it to whack people into their place” trope, (canes are mobility aids, not props) and that is a common occurrence with the character Nelson. Klune’s comedy often, but not always, felt jarring. I prefer books that steadily build in complexity rather than slow burns. So, all in all this books style is not for me-but I still enjoyed it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Blood, and Medical content

The authors note at beginning offers context and illustrates death is the main theme and I found the author handles it with compassion. The main character is a ghost.

kaneebli's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Confinement, Suicide, and Medical content

Minor: Animal death, Racism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment

raintje's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Cancer, Homophobia, Racism, Terminal illness, and Car accident

lunablch's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I didn't love this book. In part because of the writing, but also because the audiobook narration was kind of annoying. I probably would have liked it more if I read it. 

The writing felt a little like a fanfiction because the plot was pretty predictable and the character growth was lacking. Wallace grew but not in any complex way. 

I would have loved to see more of Cameron's story because it could have had interesting parallels with Wallace and Hugo. Also half the characters in the book were only there to have a crush on Hugo. We get it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Racism

beepmbop's review

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

it can be cheesy and redundant at times - but it made me smile a lot 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Grief

Moderate: Child death and Violence

Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Self harm, and Terminal illness

phvntomstvrs's review

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Suicide, and Murder

Moderate: Mental illness and Grief

pjdotcom's review

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, and Death of parent

Minor: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, and Sexual harassment

_nutella52's review

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Body horror, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Car accident

Minor: Racism, Medical content, and Sexual harassment

knunderb's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Such a beautiful, unique, and heartwarming book. I loved it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, and Suicide

Minor: Racism and Sexual content

freckles's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I enjoyed it a lot. It's more skillfull in tying in its themes than the first book by the author but also more angsty in its premise. 

I thought the sexual jokes about Wallace were a bit much and uncomfortable at times, though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Racism, Rape, and Death of parent