Review of Under The Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

Genre: Fantasy Fiction

Total length: 384 pages

Writer: T.J. Klune

Update status: Completed

Synopsis: Wallace Price dies without having lived that much, to begin with. To his surprise, he finds no fire or brimstone anywhere in the version of the afterlife he's living through. Instead, his "Reaper" guides him to a small village tucked between the mountains, where a man named Hugo helps him learn about all that he had missed out on while among mortals. Then, the "Manager" (a God-like figure) decides to give him one week to show he "got the memo," a time he must seize to the fullest!

Author Introduction | T.J. Klune

T.J. Klune is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author with a Lambda Literary Award in his proverbial trophy cabinet. He's the author of various critically-acclaimed works, such as the novel under review (namely, "Under The Whispering Door"), "The House In the Cerulean Sea," "The Extraordinaries," and many others.

Theme: "Time Dies Away in a Whisper"

Beyond the eschatological discussions of what happens after we die, the theme in this exciting tale revolves mainly around the value of time and the importance of spending it in the most fulfilling way possible. Also, it delves into the importance of establishing long-lasting bonds and enjoying the beautiful things life has to offer.

Within the short time the lead character spends in the small village, he realizes just how little he lived his own life and how this fact shaped him into the bitter person he currently is. Fortunately, he's given a second chance to make up for that.

Main Characters: "The Deceased, the Reaper, and the Gatekeeper"

The main character in this novel is Wallace Price, though you'll also meet a host of compelling supporting characters, such as Hugo the ferryman and Mei the Reaper.

Let's describe each of the aforementioned characters in a bit more detail:

Wallace Price

Wallace was not what you would call a "good man." He's not exactly someone you'll empathize with because he's not all that empathic himself! Rather, he's cold and heartless. He had to literally die in order to figure this out.

He led a very successful career yet couldn't manage to sort out his own personal life because he didn't actually have the slightest interest in that.

Mei

Mei is the self-styled "Reaper" in the story and the one guiding Wallace in his afterlife journey. She is one of the best-written characters in the novel, and readers will definitely relate to her pain. Her background is nothing short of poignant and heart-wrenching, and her personality presents a contrast between vulnerability and toughness.

Hugo

Hugo is the "ferryman" and tea shop owner. He's charged with helping Wallace cross over. Additionally, he also aids him in dealing with his underwhelming life. In general, he's the opposite of Wallace. Whereas Wallace is bitter, Hugo is gentle and heartwarming.

Point of View in "Under The Whispering Door"

The story in "Under The Whispering Door" is told from the viewpoint of your typical omniscient narrator who has no stakes in the events therein.

Plot: "Going through Death's Door"

"Under The Whispering Door" begins with a funeral, though it's not yet Wallace's one. There, he gets into an argument with his employee Patricia over the notion of caring for other people. This introductory part already lays out his overly apathetic and rude attitude. He then fires Patricia, and she insults him in return. Two days later, while he's looking for her replacement, Wallace dies.

Death Knocks

Wallace's funeral, as expected, is far from packed. After death, the first person he meets and who recognizes him is Mei, who informs him of his current situation, albeit he remains in denial. He's hesitant at first to accompany her to the village to meet the "ferryman." However, his mind changes somewhat after observing his own burial.

When they arrive at the village, Wallace's fears deepen. He meets Hugo, the ferryman, who teaches him the ropes on how to deal with the fact that he's dead. He does so in a joint effort with Mei and another woman named Nancy.

At one point, Wallace tries to flee but, upon his first attempt, confronts a horrifying creature who goes by the name of Cameron. The latter wanted to escape at one point, only to turn into a Husk. It's explained to him that these escape efforts were exactly the factor behind Cameron's dehumanization and that the same could happen to him.

A Second Chance in Life (and Love)

Eventually, Wallace meets the "Manager," who grants him seven days to make the necessary amends in his life before moving on. During that time, he apologizes to his ex-wife through Hugo and aids a grieving mother. In addition, he helps rescue Cameron, who was thought to be beyond repair. As this deadline comes to a close, Wallace and Hugo grow truly fond of each other (romantically speaking).

Hottest Chapters in "Under The Whispering Door"!

It's really hard to pinpoint a specific chapter since the chapters in this novel are far longer than what you'll find in your typical web novel. Regardless, we might mention chapter 17 here since it marks the beginning of Wallace's road to redemption, particularly after getting his seven-day timescale to right the wrongs he committed and engage in other good deeds.

Writing Style: "Whispering Some Proses"

The entire novel is laid out in prose form. The language is whimsical and artistic. Klune's style here manages to trim down descriptions without sacrificing literary richness and aesthetic value.

Is "Under The Whispering Door" Worth the Read?

"Under The Whispering Door" makes for a delightful reading experience that doesn't overstay its welcome. As a matter of fact, you could conceivably finish the entire book in a couple of afternoons. Save for a spot or two, the pacing is virtually flawless, and no word or paragraph feels entirely out of place, although it can get too "sappy" for some people's tastes.

If you're not a sucker for LGBTQ-oriented narratives, this novel might not resonate with you. Yet, judging only from the writing quality and storytelling, "Under The Whispering Door" definitely deserves a cover-to-cover reading!

FAQs

Q: Is the main character in "Under The Whispering Door" LGBTQ?

A: Wallace (the protagonist) appears to be bisexual, having been romantically involved with a woman before his death and with a man (Hugo) in the afterlife.