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A review by alittlehopeful
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
Wallace Price has achieved everything he ever wanted in life: an enviable position within a wealthy co-corporation and a reputation for success. Yet when he suddenly passes away from a heart attack, and awakens at his own funeral, he is forced to confront the idea that mortality may be a little more complex than he originally anticipated. Angry and unwilling to accept his death, he is led to Charon's Crossing - a way station for those who are waiting to cross over...and also a tea shop. There he meets kind-hearted Hugo, fiery Mae, and stubborn Nelson: an eclectic group of characters who endeavour to support those who are recently deceased. Yet, as these relationships deepen, Wallace begins to question everything he thought he knew. Did he really live a good life? And if not, is it possible to experience one after death?
Often, as a reader, I'm searching for a storyline that has me riveted; that keeps me frantically flipping the pages to find out what comes next. This isn't that type of book, and in this instance, that's for the best. Similarly to Klune's other works, it is slower. More heartfelt. It's like a warm hug, or a steaming mug of tea by the fire. Which has a certain irony as the central location of the novel is a tea shop.
This is the type of book to read slowly, and savour, and mull over. It doesn't shy away from difficult topics: losing a loved one, mental health struggles, and trying to become a better person. The quirky and flawed characters made me laugh. And sometimes cry. But in a good way. It holds all my favourite tropes: a beautiful redemption arc, found family, and a happily ever after. Plus, the idea of ghost dog just kept me smiling!
But while I adored the writing, and the underlying concept of this novel, there were some elements that felt very repetitive and similar to one of Klune's other works, the House in the Cerulean Sea. The notion of an ambitious, workaholic, middle-aged white man being fundamentally changed by extraordinary circumstances was almost recycled from this, and undermined the originality of the novel.
That isn't to say that I didn't love it. Because I did. But it is enough in this situation to stop me from rating this as five stars.
Often, as a reader, I'm searching for a storyline that has me riveted; that keeps me frantically flipping the pages to find out what comes next. This isn't that type of book, and in this instance, that's for the best. Similarly to Klune's other works, it is slower. More heartfelt. It's like a warm hug, or a steaming mug of tea by the fire. Which has a certain irony as the central location of the novel is a tea shop.
This is the type of book to read slowly, and savour, and mull over. It doesn't shy away from difficult topics: losing a loved one, mental health struggles, and trying to become a better person. The quirky and flawed characters made me laugh. And sometimes cry. But in a good way. It holds all my favourite tropes: a beautiful redemption arc, found family, and a happily ever after. Plus, the idea of ghost dog just kept me smiling!
But while I adored the writing, and the underlying concept of this novel, there were some elements that felt very repetitive and similar to one of Klune's other works, the House in the Cerulean Sea. The notion of an ambitious, workaholic, middle-aged white man being fundamentally changed by extraordinary circumstances was almost recycled from this, and undermined the originality of the novel.
That isn't to say that I didn't love it. Because I did. But it is enough in this situation to stop me from rating this as five stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt