Under the Whispering Door by T J Klune

Under the Whispering Door

by T.J. Klune

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.
Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop's owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.
But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help, he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.
When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.
By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, this absorbing tale of grief and hope is told with TJ Klune's signature warmth, humor, and extraordinary empathy.

Reviewed by Terri M. LeBlanc on

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Well, this was certainly the hot title for fall. It took forever to get my hands on a copy of the book and one came in JUST in time for Christmas.

I don't know how Klune does it, but they are able to find the right balance between the dark and light. Death and grief can be difficult topics to tackle, but there is just the right amount of gravitas and lessons to learn in Under the Whispering Door as there are laugh out loud moments. This was JUST the book I needed to read over the Christmas holidays. The message is beautiful and as someone who has alway though every person and animal that is dear to me watches over me until it it my time to pass, Klune's world is definitely one I could get immersed in.

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Reading updates

  • 25 December, 2021: Started reading
  • 26 December, 2021: Finished reading
  • 16 January, 2022: Reviewed