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starlitpage's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Suicide and Body horror
Minor: Homophobia
kimtazo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Grief, Animal death, Child death, Homophobia, Suicide, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Death
gummifrog's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Under the Whispering Door starts with an introduction of Wallace, a character I described to multiple people as "a caricature of Ebenezer Scrooge," who dies and realizes that he totally missed finding meaning and importance over the course of his actual life. Not ready to move on, he forges a deep family connection with his Reaper and Ferryman, the two people who are meant to deliver him to the afterlife, as well as a couple other quirky resident ghosts.
I felt the summary for this book is misleading. The premise is not really "man is given 7 days to live a life after death," but more like, "man spends several months bettering himself and falling in love with what it is to be human, and then is suddenly given 7 days to say goodbye to the relationships that have finally given his life meaning." The plot is very slow burn, but it's full of heart and emotion. You really fall in love with Wallace and with the other characters that he meets.
Not to mention, this book is SO funny. TJ Klune brings incredible levity to a book about death. I was literally doubling over in laughter at some parts - and I never do that! It's not, like, wrinkle-your-nose-haha-so-literary-weird-funny, but oh-my-god-I-am-going-to-die-of-laughter funny. It has so many highs and lows, and I got a bit teary towards the end.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it took a while to grow on me at the beginning. In its defense, I was recovering from a book hangover, so I'm not sure if it was the writing or the book.
Also! I read it on audio, and the narrator was incredible in both delivery and voice acting. If you tend towards audiobooks, this one was really well done!
I felt the summary for this book is misleading. The premise is not really "man is given 7 days to live a life after death," but more like, "man spends several months bettering himself and falling in love with what it is to be human, and then is suddenly given 7 days to say goodbye to the relationships that have finally given his life meaning." The plot is very slow burn, but it's full of heart and emotion. You really fall in love with Wallace and with the other characters that he meets.
Not to mention, this book is SO funny. TJ Klune brings incredible levity to a book about death. I was literally doubling over in laughter at some parts - and I never do that! It's not, like, wrinkle-your-nose-haha-so-literary-weird-funny, but oh-my-god-I-am-going-to-die-of-laughter funny. It has so many highs and lows, and I got a bit teary towards the end.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it took a while to grow on me at the beginning. In its defense, I was recovering from a book hangover, so I'm not sure if it was the writing or the book.
Also! I read it on audio, and the narrator was incredible in both delivery and voice acting. If you tend towards audiobooks, this one was really well done!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Child death
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
marigold82's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Mental illness and Homophobia
beckcatbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
TJ Klune never misses! 😭 This tender, beautiful, hilarious, haunting book is just everything. It deals with heavy topics of grief and death in such a sensitive, moving, and deeply human way. It is also so much goddamn funnier than it has any right to be 😂 A masterpiece!! ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Murder, Homophobia, and Violence
wormgirl's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Child death, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Cancer, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Homophobia
Minor: Abandonment
lisajh5858'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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Suicide and Homophobia
emmstuke's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Murder, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Homophobia and Child death
Minor: Cancer
kelly_e's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Title: Under the Whispering Door
Author: T.J. Klune
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.0
Pub Date: September 21, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Enchanting • Contemplative • Endearing
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When Wallace is collected from his own funeral by a reaper, it appears as though he may be dead. And when he arrives at a peculiar tea shop, meeting Hugo who offers to help him cross over, it confirms he is indeed dead. Wallace wasn't a very nice person in life nor did he really live, so when he is given a week to cross over, he sets about truly living and attempting to make amends.
💭 T H O U G H T S
This is one of those books that's hard to review because there were things that I absolutely loved, but there were other things that grated on me, but at the end of the day this is a compassionate exploration of life and love, and by extension of grief and death. Written in a light tone with Klune's trademark humour and wit, the soulful, well-developed characters make the book. Wallace and Hugo are the main focus, but for me it was really the supporting cast (Nelson, Mae, and Apollo) who really shone.
I was fascinated by the concept of a stopping ground between life and death. Having dealt with a lot of death in the past three years, in some way the idea gave me a sense of peace. The teashop setting, with its warm and inviting atmosphere felt like the perfect fit for such a place.
What didn't really work for me was the length. It just felt like it went on and on, when it easily could have been condensed in placed. And I definitely was not a fan of the ending. But it was the insistent focus on positivity and that "things happen for a reason" that didn't sit well with me.
Overall, it just never hit the mark on the profoundness it should have had even though I appreciated the personal growth. It wasn't the ending I was expecting, nor the one I wanted. I liked it, just didn't love it. But I'm definitely glad I read it and would recommend picking it up, but make sure you're in the right headspace.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• T.J. Klune fans
• book clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"This life isn't an easy one. Day in and day out we're surrounded by death. You either learn to live with it, or let it destroy you."
"From the moment you're born, you're dying."
"Sometimes the best way to help someone is not to say anything at all."
Author: T.J. Klune
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.0
Pub Date: September 21, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Enchanting • Contemplative • Endearing
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When Wallace is collected from his own funeral by a reaper, it appears as though he may be dead. And when he arrives at a peculiar tea shop, meeting Hugo who offers to help him cross over, it confirms he is indeed dead. Wallace wasn't a very nice person in life nor did he really live, so when he is given a week to cross over, he sets about truly living and attempting to make amends.
💭 T H O U G H T S
This is one of those books that's hard to review because there were things that I absolutely loved, but there were other things that grated on me, but at the end of the day this is a compassionate exploration of life and love, and by extension of grief and death. Written in a light tone with Klune's trademark humour and wit, the soulful, well-developed characters make the book. Wallace and Hugo are the main focus, but for me it was really the supporting cast (Nelson, Mae, and Apollo) who really shone.
I was fascinated by the concept of a stopping ground between life and death. Having dealt with a lot of death in the past three years, in some way the idea gave me a sense of peace. The teashop setting, with its warm and inviting atmosphere felt like the perfect fit for such a place.
What didn't really work for me was the length. It just felt like it went on and on, when it easily could have been condensed in placed. And I definitely was not a fan of the ending. But it was the insistent focus on positivity and that "things happen for a reason" that didn't sit well with me.
Overall, it just never hit the mark on the profoundness it should have had even though I appreciated the personal growth. It wasn't the ending I was expecting, nor the one I wanted. I liked it, just didn't love it. But I'm definitely glad I read it and would recommend picking it up, but make sure you're in the right headspace.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• T.J. Klune fans
• book clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"This life isn't an easy one. Day in and day out we're surrounded by death. You either learn to live with it, or let it destroy you."
"From the moment you're born, you're dying."
"Sometimes the best way to help someone is not to say anything at all."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Animal death and Homophobia
thewileyseven's review
emotional
funny
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
Just lovely. Warm and queer and simple and lovely. I absolutely inhaled this book--enjoyed this so so much and can't wait for whatever TJ Klune does next.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Homophobia, Suicide, and Child death