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Archer Book Club: June 2023

Welcome to the Archer Book Club, or the ABC!

Selection Of The Month

From T. J. Klune's website: 

"Under the Whispering Door is a contemporary fantasy with TJ Klune's signature "quirk and charm" (PW) about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with.

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.

Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop's owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.

But Wallace isn't ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo's help, he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.

When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.

By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, this absorbing tale of grief and hope is told with TJ Klune's signature warmth, humor, and extraordinary empathy."

Zoom Meeting Information

Zoom information will be provided closer to the planned meeting: 12:00pm-1:00pm, June 21st, 2023.

Triggers and Challenging Content

Please be aware that the novel contains potentially triggering and challenging content including but not limited to:
  • Discussions of religion, faith, the supernatural, life after death, etc
  • Discussions of death, grief and loss
  • Discussions of self-harm and suicide
  • Discussions of illness and suffering
  • Depictions of violent death and murder
From the author: "This story explores life and love as well as loss and grief.  There are discussions of death in different forms - quiet, unexpected, and death by suicide.  Please read with care."
 
Please consider reaching out to university or community support groups if needed.

Discussion Points

Discussion questions will be similar but not limited to the following:
 

  • Wallace’s transformation as the story progressed was significant. In what ways did he change? What lead him to change?

  • Why/how was Wallace able to communicate with Cameron when no one else had? How did the truth of Cameron differ from the perception?

  • Why did the Manager make the choice he did at the end? Why did he make an exception now and never before?

  • In what ways was the tea shop itself important in the novel? Do you think another business would have served the same purposes?

  • There are so many fantastic characters in the book. Which one do you most relate to? What role does Apollo serve in the novel?


Discussion Questions Source

Further Reading and Materials