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Under the Whispering Door Kindle Edition

by TJ Klune (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 15,296 ratings
Editors' pick Best Science Fiction & Fantasy
See all formats and editions

A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, AND INDIE BESTSELLER
One of Buzzfeed's "Best Books of 2022"!
An Indie Next Pick!
A Locus Awards Top Ten Finalist for Fantasy Novel

A Man Called Ove meets The Good Place in Under the Whispering Door, a delightful queer love story from TJ Klune, author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Welcome to Charon's Crossing.
The tea is hot, the scones are fresh, and the dead are just passing through.

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace from his own funeral, Wallace begins to suspect he might be dead.

And when Hugo, the owner of a peculiar tea shop, promises to help him cross over, Wallace decides he’s definitely dead.

But even in death he’s not ready to abandon the life he barely lived, so when Wallace is given one week to cross over, he sets about living a lifetime in seven days.

Hilarious, haunting, and kind, Under the Whispering Door is an uplifting story about a life spent at the office and a death spent building a home.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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  1. Print length
    390 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Tor Books
  5. Publication date
    September 21, 2021
  6. File size
    8505 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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  10. See all details
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  1. “It’s never enough, is it? Time. We always think we have so much of it, but when it really counts, we don’t have enough at all.”
    Highlighted by 3,494 Kindle readers
  2. “It helps to laugh, even when you don’t feel like laughing. You can’t be sad when you’re laughing. Mostly.”
    Highlighted by 2,481 Kindle readers
  3. The first time you share tea, you are a stranger. The second time you share tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share tea, you become family.
    Highlighted by 2,241 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

Under the Whispering Door TJ Klune Cassandra Khaw quote

Under the Whispering Door TJ Klune Ryka Aoki quote

Under the Whispering Door TJ Klune

Under the Whispering Door TJ Klune Publishers Weekly quote

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

An Amazon Best Book of September 2021: TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea has a hold on a big chunk of my heart, and now it has a new neighbor: Klune’s new fantasy, Under the Whispering Door. When the frankly awful Wallace dies unexpectedly, he comes to the attention of Hugo, a teashop owner who ferries the dead to the other side of life. Wallace is a difficult case, but gentle Hugo gives Wallace a chance to come to grips with his predicament, opening up his eyes to love, beauty, and the absurdities that make every moment special. This heartfelt story about a man who discovers the joys of living after he is dead is one that you’ll hand to a good friend with a smile and a hug. —Adrian Liang, Amazon Editor

Review

A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, AND INDIE BESTSELLER
An Indie Next and LibraryReads Pick!
A Locus Awards Top Ten Finalist for Fantasy Novel
A 2021 LibraryReads Favorite

“There is so much to enjoy in Under the Whispering Door, but what I cherish the most is its compassion for the little things―a touch, a glance, a precious piece of dialogue―healing me, telling me that for all the strangenesses I hold, I am valued, valid―and maybe even worthy of love.” ―Ryka Aoki, Light from Uncommon Stars

“A warm hug of a book about a Grinch of a man who dies and a ferryman, who helps the dead in their journey onwards. Under the Whispering Door is a kind book, full of faith in the goodness of people, full of kind people showing how compassion is a strength. It broke my heart with its unflinching understanding that grief never goes away, never empties, only settles into the room of your soul like a strange souvenir. And then it healed me in the next breath.” ―Cassandra Khaw, author of Nothing But Blackened Teeth

“Tenderness, wit, and skillful worldbuilding elevate this delightful tale. Fans of queer fantasy won’t want to miss this.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The latest by Lambda Literary Award winner Klune is a winning story about grief, loss, and moving on. Readers will cry and be charmed by his wonderful characters.” ―Library Journal

“Klune's latest is a sweet tale of grief and second chances, and a ghost story about not giving up on even the most lost of souls.” ―Booklist

“TJ Klune is a master storyteller.” ―The Mary Sue

“TJ Klune is doing powerful work that inspires and impresses. He is a gift to our troubled times, and his novels are a radiant treat to all who discover them.” ―Locus

Praise for The House in The Cerulean Sea
A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER!
A 2021 Alex Award winner!
An Indie Next Pick!
One of Publishers Weekly's "Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020"
One of Book Riot’s “20 Must-Read Feel-Good Fantasies”

"I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect." ―V.E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"It will renew your faith in humanity.” ―Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author of the Shannara series

“It’s a witty, wholesome fantasy that’s likely to cause heart-swelling.” ―The Washington Post

“The House in The Cerulean Sea is a modern fairy tale about learning your true nature and what you love and will protect. It's a beautiful book.” ―Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in. Touching, tender, and truly delightful, The House in the Cerulean Sea is an utterly absorbing story of tolerance, found family, and defeating bureaucracy.”―Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of Soulless

“Sweet, comforting, and kind, this book is very close to perfect. The House in the Cerulean Sea is a work of classic children's literature written for adults and children alike, with the perspective and delicacy of the modern day. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” ―Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart a Doorway

“Quirk and charm give way to a serious exploration of the dangers of complacency in this delightful, thought-provoking Orwellian fantasy from Klune.... This tale of found family is hopeful to its core. Readers will revel in Klune’s wit and ingenuity.” ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Lambda Literary Award-winning author Klune (The Art of Breathing, 2019, etc.) has a knack for creating endearing characters, and readers will grow to love Arthur and the orphans alongside Linus... fans of quirky fantasy will eat it up. A breezy and fun contemporary fantasy." ―Kirkus

“This is a sweet narrative about the value of asking questions and the benefits of giving people (especially children) a chance to be safe, protected, and themselves, regardless of what assumptions one might glean from, say, reading their case file.” ―Booklist

“This inclusive fantasy is quite possibly the greatest feel-good story ever to involve the Antichrist.... The House in the Cerulean Sea will delight fans of Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series and any reader looking for a burst of humor and hope.” ―Shelf Awareness

"A delightful tale about chosen families, and how to celebrate differences." ―Library Journal

“If ever there was an author to watch out for, [Klune] is definitely that author.” ―Culturess Daily

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0879GPLKD
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tor Books; 1st edition (September 21, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 21, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8505 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 390 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 15,296 ratings

About the author

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TJ Klune

TJ Klune

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TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door, In the Lives of Puppets, and the Green Creek Series for adults, the Extraordinaries Series for teens, and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
15,296 global ratings
So good!
5 Stars
So good!
A wonderfully sweet book! Highly recommend! Tiny bit of a slow start because the main character is such a jerk, but that’s kind of the point. Then the book got moving. I laughed, I cried. So good!
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Top reviews from the United States

Nanette Littlestone, Author
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most heartwarming books I’ve read this year
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
Wallace Price, a rather mean, self-centered man, encounters Mei, a Reaper, at his own funeral, who’s there to bring him to Charon’s Crossing—the tea house way station for the dead, run by Hugo, a ferryman, who lives with his dog, Apollo, and grandfather, Nelson. A lively bunch on a typical day, but to Wallace, a totally bizarre collection of beings who can’t seem to give him the only thing he desperately needs—to be alive again. What Wallace doesn’t understand is there’s no going back. Once you’re dead, you’re dead, and your only choice is to move forward.

What ensues is nothing short of magical. The house at Charon’s Crossing is an impossible feat of architecture with a cozy atmosphere and delicious tea and scones. Mei is a fierce, no-nonsense woman, Apollo loves to lick and have his stomach scratched, Nelson gets a kick out of practical jokes, and Hugo . . . well, Hugo is just about the most warm-hearted perfectly imperfect person ever that could be in charge of lost souls. Together, these eclectic characters help Wallace find himself in so many unexpected ways.

Death is a difficult subject at best, even in a fantasy, and Klune handles it with both curiosity and great humor, as well as deep questions and introspection. There were times I laughed at Wallace and times I wanted to hug him, times when I thought he was ridiculous, and times when I understood his fear of leaving the world behind. And for most of the last third of the book I cried, because facing the unknown is terrifying and he is so brave and so full of love for the people who have become his friends.

Under the Whispering Door is like an all-day pass to Disneyland, full of thrills and chills, death-defying drops and soaring adventures—the greatest ride of your life (pun intended). And through every moment, the biggest, most wonderful love you can imagine. TJ Klune has done it again. Get your ticket now, because you definitely don’t want to miss out.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazonian45
4.0 out of 5 stars Under the Whispering Door
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
Soft but funny, another Klune masterpiece. Here Klune asks the question we all do— What is the meaning of life? The world of the tea shop and its visitors provides multiple vantage points for tenderly delivered suggestions. I loved this gentle walk through the themes of loss, grief, and death. It was only made more perfect because it included a dog to help along the journey.
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Social Workin Mom
5.0 out of 5 stars Contemplative Lighthearted Exploration of Grief
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2024
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This is a sci Fi/fantasy book about grieving. Not just loss of others but loss of one's own life and all that could have been. It is emotional, quiet, thoughtful, gently amusing at times and cute. It will make you contemplate the grand scheme of life and death. It will make you smile. If you hold dearly any very specific beliefs around the afterlife this book may not be for you.
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Symba
5.0 out of 5 stars Great but Make Sure You Have Tissues!
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2024
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As usual, Klune's book was really great but be prepared to cry. If you have ever lost someone, you will definitely shed some tears but it is a really really good story. As a Christian, I of course believe in Heaven but none of us knows what happens AFTER. We can only hope that we again see our loved ones, both human and animal when we die, that's mine anyways. You can see yourself in this book. Hugo deserved his HEA. (Sorry for the spoiler)
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Leah C
3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024
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I loved the beginning and the ending of this book. It took me a really long time to plow through it. It was not at all what I expected. It was well-written and the characters were great. The subject is a difficult one. I was hoping I would be uplifted, but it fell flat with me. So many loved it.....just not me.
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Elysa Arroyo
5.0 out of 5 stars Ugly Crying
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
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I almost never write reviews, but this book was just so wonderful. It was the perfect balance of levity and gravitas to tackle such a deep topic. And yes, I'm writing this through tears because I'm STILL ugly crying...
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Thebookbella
4.0 out of 5 stars A heartwarming afterlife
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
TW: greif, discussions of death and dying,

Wallace Price is a lawyer that you love to hate. He is mean and cold. Cares little for anything but his job. The people and relationships in his life have always taken a backseat to his career. Unfortunately for him, his last moments are spent in his office.

Wallace emerges at his barely populated funeral only to discover that he isn't as well liked as he thought he was. In fact, hardly anyone is at his funeral and the few people that did show up are speaking of him very poorly. Wallace is shocked he isn't loved better than this.

Wallace meets a sweet grim reaper, Mei and she takes him to a house in the woods to meet a ferryman named Hugo. Hugo is a kind and gentle soul who adores tea. We also meet Hugo's dead grandfather named Nelson, and Hugo's rambunctious ghost do named Apollo. Both Nelson and Apollo provide quite a bit of the comic relief in this dark comedy.

This is Wallace's journey to discover what his life actually meant and what he was missing from it. Wallace is a character that experiences a ton of growth throughout this story as he finds a place to be happy.

This book is significantly darker then House on the Cerulean Sea as we deal with heavy issues concerning life and death. I think this book was really well done but it doesn't hold the same kind of reverence that House on the Cerulean Sea does for me. It was really fun that the author included Easter eggs in this book from House on the Cerulean Sea.

This book also is huge on the found family trope, which is really consistent with TJ Klune's other books. Found family is one of the signatures of his story telling and you are always guaranteed to find friendships that feel like home when you pick up one of his books.

I really enjoyed this overall but the dark undertones made this a heavier read. I still really loved it, but not quite as much as House on the Cerulean Sea. If you enjoyed this previous books, Under the Whispering Door is a must read for any TJ Klune fan.

Thank you to Netgalley for an early ARC of this book.
14 people found this helpful
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Alinkenh
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
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This book is wonderful. I was laughing out loud reading it - surprisingly hilarious. I loved it. 10/10
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Top reviews from other countries

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RTTermehr
5.0 out of 5 stars Other possibilities
Reviewed in Canada on January 25, 2024
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I like it because it demonstrates other possibilities to the end of life that doesn’t include religion.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Another jewel
Reviewed in Mexico on January 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
TJ Klune has been my favorite author since 2019. I'm always excited to read the adventures he writes and this was no exception. I laugh and cried but above all things I enjoyed every moment! Thanks
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Emil
5.0 out of 5 stars Entrega rápida e história maravilhosa!
Reviewed in Brazil on December 29, 2021
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Chegou 13 dias ou mais antes do previsto, muito bem embalado e a história é tão boa quanto A Casa No Mar Cerúleo!
7 people found this helpful
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Pratiksha R
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
Reviewed in India on March 31, 2024
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Klune’s novels never fail to surprise me. The heart touching stories and the beautiful characters often become by accident peaceful escape from reality.
It is a must read for fantasy lovers.
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Jennifer
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely beathtaking ans heartwarming
Reviewed in France on March 9, 2024
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The most beautiful novel I've ever read. A clear depiction of love, life, death and acceptance and how they all intertwine together to create humanity at its finest.
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