Book Review: ‘Under the Whispering Door’ by TJ Klune

Under the Whispering Door is a stand-alone fantasy novel by TJ Klune.

The story follows Wallace Price, a self-centred lawyer with little regard for other people, who is most indignant about his sudden death. After accidentally attending his own funeral he is rescued by Mei, a reaper, and taken to the ferryman Hugo who owns Charon’s Crossing teashop. With the help of the teashop’s residents – including the ghosts of Hugo’s grandfather (Nelson) and boyhood dog (Apollo) – Wallace must come to terms with both his life and death before he can move on.

This is my first time reading a TJ Klune book. I’ve heard a lot of very good things about his work so, when I received this novel as part of a fantasy book box, I couldn’t wait to dive in.

Although it is primarily a fantasy novel, Under the Whispering Door is a blend of many different genres. The inclusion of reapers and ferrymen brings a light touch of mythology. The ghost characters push this tale into the paranormal. There is a slow-burn queer romance. While the majority of the book gives cosy fantasy vibes there are a couple of spine-chilling horror moments. And from the very first page, when Wallace is trying to fire a colleague who won’t stop singing his praises, Klune firmly plants his book in the dark comedy genre too.

But at its heart this is a story about the exploration of grief.

Charon’s Crossing serves as a stepping off point between our world and the afterlife. The ghosts who are brought to the teashop stay until they are ready to move on. Although we don’t see a revolving door of ghostly characters, we are giving plenty of anecdotes about the different ghosts Hugo has counselled which range from fun to emotional.

Through Wallace the novel explores the five stages of grief – denial at being dead, anger at everyone around him, bargaining with Hugo to return him to life, depression caused by his non-corporeal existence, and finally acceptance of his new life at Charon’s Crossing for however long it lasts. The discussions between Wallace, Hugo and Nelson about death are both thought-provoking and moving. I always felt Klune discussed the subject sensitively and at no point did I feel the book was trying to make me feel uncomfortable.

With this book it was really hard to pick a favourite character because all of the protagonists are great in their own way. Of course, we’re not supposed to like Wallace at the start of the book but watching his journey and growth into a better person is the point of the story. Hugo is kind and compassionate and a true friend. Mei is fully of energy and sarcasm and is fiercely loyal to her found-family. Nelson switches between mischievous and protective. And Apollo is the perfect ghost-dog companion.

If I had to give the novel one criticism it is that the transition between the grumpy old Wallace and the happy new Wallace didn’t perfectly flow together. We see Wallace angry and struggling at his ghostly existence. Hugo, Nelson and Mei all try to help him and Wallace agrees to give his new life a try and stop resenting everything. In the next chapter the story has jumped forward a week and Wallace is now fully adjusted and happy. While, as readers, we know this change is coming I wish the story would have spent time in this transitional phase of Wallace’s journey rather than moving straight to a point where he is fully adapted.

I really loved my first foray into TJ Klune’s work. Under the Whispering Door was the right blend of humour and heart and fantastical with the everyday. This would definitely be a book I would recommend and I would love to read more of Klune’s books in the future.

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