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A review by carlyoc
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
emotional
hopeful
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
"The first time you share tea you are a stranger. The second time you share tea you are an honored guest. And the third time you share tea you become family." This saying from the Balti people plays a central role in the book, as does tea itself. Be sure to have a mug handy while you read!
I would call this a cozy read if it didn't tackle such heavy topics as grief and death acceptance.
Other themes include found family and second chances.
Wallace Price was a selfish, uncaring person in life. In death, he learns to be kind, be empathetic, and do good, thanks to the influences of a found family who work at a tea shop that acts as a transition point for ghosts moving on to the next world.
First, he meets Mei, a reaper who collects him from his own funeral as he watches his ex-wife revel in his death and his old coworkers fake the appropriate amount of mourning. Mei was born with the ability to see and touch ghosts, which aids her as she brings Wallace to the tea house to meet Hugo, the Ferryman. Hugo's job is to talk to the ghosts over a steaming cup of tea chosen specially to bring out soothing childhood memories. He reassures them that the next world is nothing to fear and lead them over the threshold (or more literally through a trap door in the ceiling of the tea shop's fourth floor). But Wallace is not prepared to go. He has so much growth and learning left to do as he spends weeks haunting the tea house and getting to know its occupants.
I would call this a cozy read if it didn't tackle such heavy topics as grief and death acceptance.
Other themes include found family and second chances.
Wallace Price was a selfish, uncaring person in life. In death, he learns to be kind, be empathetic, and do good, thanks to the influences of a found family who work at a tea shop that acts as a transition point for ghosts moving on to the next world.
First, he meets Mei, a reaper who collects him from his own funeral as he watches his ex-wife revel in his death and his old coworkers fake the appropriate amount of mourning. Mei was born with the ability to see and touch ghosts, which aids her as she brings Wallace to the tea house to meet Hugo, the Ferryman. Hugo's job is to talk to the ghosts over a steaming cup of tea chosen specially to bring out soothing childhood memories. He reassures them that the next world is nothing to fear and lead them over the threshold (or more literally through a trap door in the ceiling of the tea shop's fourth floor). But Wallace is not prepared to go. He has so much growth and learning left to do as he spends weeks haunting the tea house and getting to know its occupants.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, Child death, and Death