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Sign up todayUnder the Whispering Door
Narrator
Kirt Graves
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Length
14 hours 54 minutes
Language
English
Bookseller recommendation
“Trigger warning: Suicide and death. TJ Klune has done it again. He has created a story (with some darkness) centered on a character that would otherwise have easily been seen as the villain. And again, he walked me through a funny, LGBTQ+ positive, and horror-esque journey where I grew in empathy for Wallace as he tackled questions about death, life, and what may come after. Every character in this book was relevant and had their own story to tell. One of several things that impresses me about Klune's writing is his ability to keep a story that takes place in a single setting engaging and interesting. The ending was definitely unexpected and defied my expectations. I read this book aloud to my mother, and we debated and discussed what the ending might be and what we hoped it would be. We couldn't have guessed what actually transpired...I deeply appreciated the diversity in age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender expression between characters. As someone who enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea, I would gently warn other fans that this book takes on a more serious tone because it centers on death and heavier topics. It still has moments of humor, heart, and levity, but you're always reminded of where you are.”
— R. Aimee • The Bluestocking Bookshop
Bookseller recommendation
“I’ve re-read this more times than I can count. It’s beautiful, hilarious, and made me ugly cry like nothing else has. Kirt Graves really brings the story to life, and no matter how many times I listen, I’m enthralled. ”
— Kate • Book Moon
Bookseller recommendation
“One reviewer called Under the Whispering Door "A Man Called Ove meets The Good Place", which pretty accurately sums it up. A love story as well as a story of grief, regrets, and living a meaningful life, Under the Whispering Door is ultimately a story of hope and second chances. This book is delightfully weird and quirky, and a wonderful follow up to Klune's House in the Cerulean Sea.”
— Genevieve • A Great Good Place for Books
Bookseller recommendation
“TJ Klune has the unmatched ability to make my heart go all warm and gooey like a chocolate chip cookie. ”
— Amber • Quail Ridge Books
Bookseller recommendation
“If Wallace Price was still alive, I would want to meet him. Well, no, I would like to meet the dead Wallace because he’s much nicer that way; a true curmudgeon turned marshmallow as he accepts he’s done in this plane of existence. I wasn’t sure a book about death and grieving was what I needed this year, but upon finishing I can assure you this book is exactly what we all need right now. Klune’s signature quirky characters have that tendency to sneakily sink their hooks into your chest. Before I knew it, I had fallen in love with everyone, especially the ghost dog Apollo. There will likely be a lot of emotions in this reading experience, but it is all beautifully cathartic. Laughter, yes, and some tears. Many quietly profound passages had me pause to reflect and think about my own life and my family. I recommend reading it with a cup of tea and having someone you can hug within reach.”
— Leah • Bright Side Bookshop
Bookseller recommendation
“Full of heart, hope, grief, humor, delicious character development and perfectly steeped tea, Under the Whispering Door is one-of-a kind. I laughed, I cried, I stayed up far too late reading. You don't want to miss this book.”
— Miriasha • Phoenix Books
"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
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, 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.
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Reviews
A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY AND INDIE BESTSELLER
An Indie Next Pick!
"Narrator Kirt Groves provides an excellently distinct cast of voices."- Locus
“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
“Is it possible to fall in love with someone’s imagination? If so, consider me fully smitten. TJ Klune creates worlds where fear and threat can be conquered by kindness, and a tender, queer heart is more valuable than any weapon or power.” —David Levithan
“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
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