Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop is a warm and compassionately written slice-of-life love letter to booktores and literature written by Hwang Bo-Reum. Written in Korean and released in 2022, this English Language translation from Bloomsbury is 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.
This is such an appealing and inviting book. MC Yeongju is burnt out and sheds her old life and searches for new meaning and seeks to build a more contemplative life as a bookseller in a residential neighborhood outside the metro area. It's touching and fulfilling to see her build herself back up book by book.
This is 100% character driven; there's not a plot with a beginning-middle-end. As such, western readers might find the pacing unusually slow and meandering. There isn't a clear denouement, it's a series of small daily vignettes.
The translation work by Shanna Tan is seamless, and it doesn't read as if it were translated (except that the pacing and vibe are definitely not western in style or feel).
Four stars. A contemplative read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reviewed by annieb123 on
Reading updates
- 17 March, 2024: Started reading
- 17 March, 2024: Finished reading
- 17 March, 2024: Reviewed