Book Review - The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee

[@scbsdvjhvsdbdvs]

as an avid reader of Korean literature, i think this book is an excellent gateway to Korean literature as a first-time reader. a lot of Korean literature can be a hit or miss as a lot of (fiction) authors tend to focus on similar topics, creating different stories that somehow are all still connected by what is being discussed. this includes familial relationships, generational trauma and healing, societal inequalities, loneliness, etc. a lot of these themes also appear in Dallergut, but in such a cozy, light-hearted way which i loved! this is probably the best book by a Korean author that i have read so far, so it was really interesting to hear your opinions :) thank you for the review!

[@CoffeeBooksandRain]

I am so glad I picked it up. I was drawn in by the cover art and the title but the story itself was so worth the read. I have another coming soon I can't wait to share called the Marigold Mind Laundry which feels like it may resonate with a similar audience.

[@NoShyira]

Actually yeah, now that you mention it, the summary really didn't do the best job of the book. I read it a few weeks ago and it (along with 9 perfect strangers) was my highlight of July. The translation kind of read like a teenager was writing fanfic and it was kind of cringe as a result. I gave it 4.75 because other than that though, I loved it so much that the writing didn't bother me as much as it normally would.

[@coconutmilch2351]

I think it’s still magical realism because the realm of dreams is supposedly a real realm. Like the customers are all real people and the dream realm has real consequences for them. It’s like monsters inc if monsters inc is magical realism but idk lol

[@CoffeeBooksandRain]

I can see your thought process on this. The monsters under the bed (or inside the closets cold be real) in a dreamlike state. Thus the dream department store could be walking the line of the magical realism... definitely food for thought. I just ran across a book which feel similar in nature I am going to review for the channel called the Marigold Mind Laundry. I hope you'll tune in!