Digital Reads Reviews
Book Review - Under The Whispering Door by TJ Klune
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Blurb
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.
My Review
What was it all about
This was a warm read where Wallace Price learned about humanity and kindness after his death. It took him a moment to die but a few days of living with Hugo and Mia in his tea shop, a stopover before the final crossing, to understand what it meant to be truly alive.
The book was all about forgiveness and forming friendship and it showed that there was life after life, and we needed to continue nature’s circle. But of course, in a fictionalized version.
How it made me feel
A grouchy man was this main character, who was well described, where I too wanted to bop him one. But he managed to redeem himself when his heart started melting and he learned to get along with the others.
The Good
Quirky characters and humor interspersed the prose, which apparently was a Klune trademark, if you had read his earlier book. I kept giggling in the middle of the night at many places.
Some of the scenes written in were so beautiful, seeped in emotions, that I had tears in my eyes when Wallace learned to love.
Other characters too helped him understand grief and healing, dignity and respect. The book covered all aspects of life, where most of the characters had bucket loads of patience.
The Bad
Some sections felt to be slightly repetitive and preachy. The prose could be sharpened to keep the story progressing onwards. I didn’t need it to waffle so much.
The Conclusion
Overall, the book saw all kinds of emotions emanating from me. I read partially and heard the audio version while doing the chores. The narrator made it so easy to follow the story.
I was told book 1 was better so I would get to it sooner than later. Easy to read and get immersed in the plot line, I would recommend this book in between your intense reads. It would leave you feeling good.
Book Links
Book Details
Publication Date: August 2021
I downloaded the digital version of the book from an online retail, and this is my journey down its pages, straight from the heart. STRICTLY HONEST and UNBIASED.
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8 Responses
On my TBR
I hope you enjoy it
Wonderful review! I’m hoping to read this one later this week, and you’ve made me even more excited about it now. I love his writing style, so I have high hopes for it.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, rather more than I did. The writing and narration both are super fast.
I enjoyed this one too, Shalini and am also planning on reading book one. Lovely review. ❤📚
I think book 1 would be more exciting though there had been some controversy surrounding it. Was banned for some time on Instagram with many up in arms.
Here another honest review, Shal. As I read your words, it dawned upon what if we die and waited to see our past actions unfurl perhaps telling us on how how we could do things differently. So many thoughts:)
I had the same feeling so many would-be and could-be in our lives. How are you Vishal?