Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

19 reviews

nikimorr'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

Yes, it is true, TJ Klune’s books feel like a warm hug. 

I was skeptical at first starting this book. Wallace, the main character, starts out comically unlikeable. I was unsure I would be able to take the book seriously with just how non relatable Wallace starts out. But boy did he and all the rest of the characters worm their way into my heart. 

Each character played a special role. It is hard to encompass each one in just a few words. Mei was by far my favorite - a big heart with all the sass. Hugo is like the definition of a safe space in a person. Reading about this group, a family found amongst each other, makes you want to venture out in the forest and find your people. The setting is just as special as the characters - a unique shop with rows of tea plants set out amongst a beautiful forest. We never really know where the town is, but it feels like peace just reading about it. Although the shop is where all the characters must stay, the home is filled with pictures of far away places. An appreciation for the great, big world from one little corner. 

This book has such a unique take on death and what happens next. After death comes a reaper and ferryman who each help the dead accept and cross to what is next. Almost more than I hope death leads to this tea shop do I wish my dog is there waiting and helping just like Apollo. The addition of the dog was so relatable - our pets are just as important as our fellow human family members. 

The book was full of thoughtful commentary on death, some I got too stuck on. But really, it is what it is. We live the life we live and it will all eventually come to an end. What we do with our time, particularly helping others have a bit of an easier journey, is what matters at the end. 

There is a bit of a love story between someone living and someone dead and I loved this angle. Love despite a huge disconnect, despite not being able to touch, was beautiful. 

I am not entirely happy with the ending. I almost think him moving on would have been more symbolic than getting the chance to stay. When the end comes, death, the chance to redo is gone and there’s no going back. All the what ifs are gone.

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ebrinkley's review against another edition

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Seems like a good book. I just wasn’t prepared for the topic of death and the talk about the physical reasons why he died. 

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cozyfantasyfaetay's review

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challenging dark 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

4.75


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cb36's review

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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? Yes

4.5


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annorabrady's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

This book balanced lightheartedness and humor with deep grief so perfectly. I've genuinely never laughed so much while reading a book, and there have been very few pieces of media of any form that have elicited the same amount of well-earned and satisfying tears from me. 

Finishing this book was hard because I both wanted to know how it ended and loathed the idea of it being over. I appreciate the twists in the story and how earned they felt. They didn't exist for cleverness or because of lazy writing, they existed because the characters made decisions that warranted them. 

The cast of characters was truly wonderful. Their antics and their support of each other are equally valuable. The questions they pose and the answes they offer are healing. And even the minor characters have a presence many main characters in other books never reach. 

I will say that there are some hard storylines for those who have experienced different kinds of trauma. But as someone who's lost family and friends to similar circumstances, I value the care given to these stories. And, as someone who lost their mom just over 6 months ago, I will say that this isn't something that's too heavy. At least it wasn't for me. 

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hanz's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0


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caitbrat's review against another edition

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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


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briely's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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


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jlaz_13's review

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

 TJ Klune has done it again! He made me sob like no one's business. As someone who has a difficult relationship with death, this book ripped my heart apart and then stitched it back together. It was a good source of catharsis for me. I don't know how to explain how much I love his writing style. I will continue to read any of his adult fiction books! 425/10 will recommend and read again! 

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jamiebrito's review

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emotional funny hopeful relaxing 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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