Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

699 reviews

lightningmc_logyn's review

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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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psyduck11's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

5.0

Es increíble. Ha sido un libro precioso de principio a fin con un desarrollo de personaje increíble y unas reflexiones muy bonitas sobre la muerte y el duelo.
Creo que ha sido de los mejores libros que he leído y me alegro muchísimo de haberlo encontrado.
Es de esos libros que te marcan y piensas en ellos incluso meses después de haberlos terminado.
Precioso de principio a fin

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akswhy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

4.0

I enjoyed this one more than The House by the Cerulean Sea; it was a little more grounded and adult. The fantasy elements are well thought out, but not hindered by over-explanation. Just a truly good book about grief and death and love and beauty.

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thebruce's review against another edition

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challenging 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

4.5


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emmmaustin's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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junowo's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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

I’m a person who has always had a complicated relationship with death, and I found a kinship in this book. I love the way that it reflected on the subject, acknowledging the great sadness and loss and fear, but also the joy and relief.

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amberlipfordsmith's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny 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

5.0


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merenguita's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-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

This book deserves more than 5 stars tbh. It's absolutley amazing, made me tear up so much in the most beautiful ways... Can't wait to read more of this author

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maybreads's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.5

I like unlikable characters. I just don't think Klune knows how to write from the pov of an unlikable character in this book. Wallace very quickly turns from an unpleasant guy with issues to a sympathetic figure. Which is probably good since it makes this a pleasant story to listen to, but it still feels slightly unearned.
Writing death is hard. At times I felt like this story had a very predictable take on it. 
As I sometimes do I found the epilogue to be filler. And, worse, to exist only as tearjerker material. I like it when I get to think about what a future could look like. 

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lauhogan's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0


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