Under the Whispering Door

Written by TJ Klune

Narrated by Kirt Graves

"Narrator Kirt Groves provides an excellently distinct cast of voices."- Locus

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.

"Graves matches his narrative pace to the measured unwinding of the story's layers, focused but unhurried, in the same way that Hugo brews his therapeutic cups of tea." —AudioFile

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Sep 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781250790163

TJ Klune

TJ KLUNE is the #1 New York Times and #1 USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, Under the Whispering Door, In the Lives of Puppets, 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.

Reviews for Under the Whispering Door

[kathy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredible!!!
A completely unique story so well written and the narration was outstanding!!
I will listen to this one again and have already recommended it to several groups of readers!

[Ekene Ogbue · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow
Wow
Wow
I don't know how he does it but TJ KLUNE always knows how to deliver

[MagalyProcopio · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was a very sweet story, with characters that made me laugh. The plot is very simple, it talks about life and death, in a way that makes you reflect on each one and what it entails to enjoy every moment. (Translated from Spanish)

[Auratrujillo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is my third book that I read by this author. What can I say about this book? It is a heartwarming, beautiful story.

Everything begins with Wallace Price, a lawyer who is so focused on his work that he doesn’t see what is around him, a perfectionist, tough person. But by the twists of fate, he dies. And he is taken by Mei, a reaper, to the Tea House of Hugo, where he will live with two other ghosts, who are waiting to move to the other side. Wallace has to accept his new reality as well as discover what he has let pass, his true essence. He finds the place where he belongs in order to transcend.

A story that speaks to us about death, acceptance, knowing ourselves, friendship, family, forgiving ourselves, love. (Translated from Spanish)

[LectuNath · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I finally finished reading it.
I still don't quite understand the nature of Ox and I hope it will be revealed in the upcoming books.
For now, 10/10 excellent service; the 4 stars are mostly because it made me cry.
As for the spicy scenes, I have nothing to say, they were well executed at the necessary moments.
Although the beginning is a bit slow because nothing is understood, the reading becomes intense and you don’t want to stop reading. I took my time only because I have adult responsibilities; otherwise, I could have easily read it in a day.

Recommended for 18+ due to the spicy scenes and violence. (Translated from Spanish)

[Romor · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After reading something by the author, I decided to start this saga. The author has a writing style that I really like. He uses a pleasant language that captivates just like his stories. I don't usually read much fantasy, but TJ Klune has got me hooked on this genre. It is a tender and moving story. A love that grows little by little, as the protagonists get to know each other when they are very young. The characters have a great evolution; they are very well developed. Ox is a sweetheart. Joe is lovable. They make a couple that enchants. Besides love, there are some really good moments that make you burst out laughing. It also talks about friendship, family, and trust because they are a pack. It’s one of those books that are totally worth reading, and despite being a hefty one, it reads very well. (Translated from Spanish)

[veroausten · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Normally, I like the Young Adult genre, but this book seemed a bit cheesy and predictable to me, in addition to being unrealistic. The main character makes a 180° turn with not much evolution in between; I don't buy it. Also, everything was obvious from the first 25% of the book. I read until the end in hopes that the author would give me a surprise, but no.

The only character I really liked as he was portrayed was the Manager.

I know Klune has tons of followers, but I probably won’t read another of his novels. To each their own. (Translated from Spanish)

[MartaMdM · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It seemed like a ridiculous book to me, I thought I was going to love it, but no, I have contradictory feelings; there are details I like but the story itself bored me a lot. They spend the entire book in the waiting room, and there’s an evident desire to focus on the romance. The phone conversation left me completely stunned for how surreal and fake it is, all for the hype of the relationship. I found the romance beautiful, but I wanted to see how Wallace was going to deal with his death. I liked the ending, but I’m left with the feeling that nothing happened throughout the book. Overall, I don’t plan to read anything else by this guy. (Translated from Spanish)

[KameMorales · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book completely captivated me, even though I was expecting a completely different ending, it didn't disappoint me either, perhaps because of the close experiences I have had with the passing of several family members, it made me connect, cry, reflect, and feel peace. (Translated from Spanish)

[ValSoto · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars

How much I have cried with this book ?
Love you lots, T.J. Klune. (Translated from Spanish)

[Libritos70 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You think of death. Wallace narrates what happens after he dies. He believes that people will exalt or mourn for him. But all of that fades away. We are not prepared to leave the world. (Translated from Spanish)

[patxi77 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

19/7/23
Joint reading of fantasy genre, from the Telegram group.
This author always surprises me, ever since I read "The House by the Bluer Sea."
I love the personal touch in this fantasy genre, which blends fantasy with reality, humanity with cruelty.
A slow pace, but well narrated, that makes you mentally immerse yourself in the story and activates your senses.
Sometimes we create mountains out of molehills; thinking and calming down is the best path to inner peace.
For some, the author's stories may seem cheesy, but once you read them, they make you reflect on humanity and also on the stages a person must go through, both in life and in death.
I recommend the author, especially the two mentioned books, which are the ones I've read from him; I would describe it as particularly different. Beautiful story. Thank you very much. (Translated from Spanish)

[AngieAYALA1256 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I liked how the characters face their difficulties, how they break down the barriers of the psychological damage caused by external people, and how pain has influenced them. Their romance is beautiful as they support each other, but they also do not forget that they are separate individuals with feelings apart from their love for each other. (Translated from Spanish)

[Tina Glez · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I have little to say about this book: Boring, dense, terrible, and with a ridiculous ending. (Translated from Spanish)

[Marta1975 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A funny story about our fate after death. An unpopular lawyer suddenly dies and has to spend some time before going to the afterlife in a tea house, where he meets a diverse range of characters and has time to reflect on what his life was. (Translated from Spanish)

[Lectora Nocturna · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A story that touches your heart with secondary characters that are amazing. The protagonist is an unliked lawyer who dies unexpectedly, and a Reaper comes to fetch him at his funeral. His destination is a tea house where the ferryman Hugo awaits to help him cross over to the afterlife. Same style as the previous book, a protagonist who isn't well-liked at first but evolves for the better. The secondary characters, Nelson and Apollo, are my favorites. Recommended. (Translated from Spanish)

[MelannieLizcano · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book teaches us about loyalty, family ties. Love.
This book is more than werewolves, it is brotherhood. (Translated from Spanish)

[FranSaravia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Without a doubt, a captivating story, with drama, adventure, and love. Filled with emotional moments that touch you and that I admit made me cry several times. Its characters are developed in such a way that you come to empathize with them and their experiences. I highly recommend it, and I am eager to read the second part and continue being surprised by this story. (Translated from Spanish)

[nicoprz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book will always hold a special place in my heart. Wolfsong is one of those books that you don't want to let go of because you know you won't find another like it. It conveys all kinds of feelings and emotions: joy, sadness, hope, fear, anguish, and you don't want to put the book down for a moment because you want to know what will happen next.
It talks about love in its different facets, colors, and sizes, and how this makes us better people.
What more can I say about this book? It was like candy canes and pineapple—a legendary and amazing experience. A 10/10 without a doubt. If you haven't read it yet, give it a chance; you won't regret it! (Translated from Spanish)

[aldibuet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I didn't have much faith in the book when I started it. I didn't understand how those kids were going to end up together given the age difference they had, but I loved how it showed the development of the characters and their relationships. As if waiting for Joe to be of age for something to happen between them. This reading makes you feel as if you were truly part of this pack and makes you feel green green green. I love each wolf, human, and witch in this book (well, not all of them). Some parts are so sad? (Translated from Spanish)

[JayGatsby · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I expected more adventure and less nonsense. I was hooked by its first 100 pages, but after that, everything fell apart. (Translated from Spanish)

[Rakisaurus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book from beginning to end. The author's writing style is wonderful and makes you get attached to the characters faster than usual.

The characters are fantastic; I think my favorite is Gordo, although I have a special fondness for Ox.

At first, I didn't like the couple that was forming too much, but in the end, I was convinced.

I think the best part of this book is the family that the protagonist finds among his friends and the family from the house next door.

P.S.: that 20-page scene??? super lol (Translated from Spanish)

[charlstaylorsversion · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

beautiful and painful, nothing more to say (Translated from Spanish)

[Violet2300 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is the most beautiful thing I have ever read; it has definitely become one of my favorite books, and this is thanks to the story, the characters, and the development of these two factors, along with all the emotions that make you feel like they are pouring down like water.

At the beginning, we are introduced to Ox, a boy who was abandoned by his father, so Ox and his mother have to move forward after that. However, Ox has always thought he should be the strong one, the man of the house, but what brings all of this to life is the description of his worth as a person when the Bennetts arrive to live nearby—people who will give an unexpected twist to the lives of these two individuals, especially Joe to Ox and Ox to Joe. These two characters make you fall in love with them throughout the book, just like the other characters, and I truly believe it is the first story where I love all the characters equally. (Translated from Spanish)

[panchovip · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am not a great reader, but this hour was the best book I've ever read in my life; it’s perfect and literally can immerse you. Ox, I give you my life. Joe, I love you with my soul, and I believe I am still not a man because I cried a lot reading this book. (Translated from Spanish)

[mia2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was amazing, a book that made me feel so many things and made me want more and more. (Translated from Spanish)

[2004almudena · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fantastic story, where you will fall in love with Ox and Joe, and the rest of the pack. It had me with my heart in my throat in many parts of the book, I was also angry with the protagonists, and above all, there was a lot of emotion experienced throughout most of the book. A book that I recommend 100%. (Translated from Spanish)

[NirelMrquez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite book for sure!!! ??

The way things unfold, everything it made me feel, imagine; I laughed, cried, got angry, felt their confusion—everything!

Spectacular narration
How the story unfolds. Oh my!
I fell in love with each one of the characters, with their stories, their lives.

I’m not lying when I say it’s the best book I could find ? (Translated from Spanish)

[Arecoronomi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really loved this book; I consider it a compelling story that takes you through all the shades of emotions.

With moving yet easy-to-read writing, this story spans several years, yet it has an impressive pace that never makes you feel lost and keeps you hooked until the end.

I definitely recommend it for those who are not afraid to feel everything from the deepest joy to the most profound sadness. (Translated from Spanish)

[Aby · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ox is a boy who is abandoned by his father at a young age. His mother and he must survive for several years until the abandoned house at the end of the road is occupied. A family arrives, the Bennets. One day, while Ox is walking back home, a small boy with golden hair comes like a whirlwind full of energy and words. Joe and Ox will become best friends, and he will find a new family.

Personally, I really liked this book; all the characters have an incredible evolution. Especially Ox, who changes along with you, but when you go back through the pages, you will find a change that you didn’t even notice while progressing through the story. It is narrated in a way that makes you feel like you are traveling year by year, and you will immerse yourself in the story so much that you won't even notice. You will cry, laugh, and enjoy. (Translated from Spanish)