Ferry to the Afterlife

Under The Whispering Door

by TJ Klune

Rating ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

I approached this book reluctantly because I'm always wary of super-popular things. The book seemed like it would be too cutesy for my taste, just based on the whimsical illustration on the cover. 

This is the story of Wallace Price, a partner in the law firm he founded. Wallace is - almost comically - a jackass in the early chapters. His character is the MOST self-centered human being possible. He has no regard for other people and concerns himself only with how he looks (he loves his expensive suits) and with winning cases. He views a crying secretary as an inconvenience, not caring in the slightest what she's upset about.

Wallace drops dead of a heart attack and wakes up at his funeral. He is shocked that only a few people are in attendance, that no one appears to be sad about his passing, and no one can see or hear him. His law partners are there, gossiping about what an unpleasant guy he was. His ex-wife gives a "eulogy" consisting entirely of ranting about how much she hated him. 

He is surprised when one of the attendees, a young woman he doesn't recognize, is able to see him. She tells him that her name is Mei. She explains that she is his Reaper and she's there to take him where he belongs. 

“What is…?” He tried to swallow past the lump in his throat. “What’s happening?” 

She said, “What’s happening is that you lived your life. You did what you did, and now it’s over. At least that part of it is. And when you’re ready to leave here, I’ll take you to Hugo. He’ll explain the rest.” 

“Leave,” he muttered. “With Hugo.” 

She shook her head before stopping herself. “Well, in a way. He’s a ferryman.” 

“A what?” 

“Ferryman,” she repeated. “The one who will help you cross.”

Mei escorts him to Charon's Crossing Tea Room and Treats (the whimsical building pictured on the cover) and introduces Wallace to Hugo, the proprietor. Any references to Greek mythology end here, unfortunately. It's just the name Hugo gave to his tea shop.

The rest of the story is Wallace's redemption. He starts out as the worst person in the world and gradually becomes a better person. 

I rated this book three and a half stars because of the entertaining story. There's an unexpected and very sweet queer love story. The chapter concerning a self-proclaimed psychic named Desdemona had me laughing uncontrollably. I took away stars because it took too long to redeem Wallace, and the story dragged quite a bit as result. In addition, the Greek mythology aspect was hinted at but not explored.