Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop
Ratings58
Average rating4.2
WATERSTONES BEST FICTION BOOKS OF 2023 PICK WOMEN & HOME NOVEMBER BOOK OF THE MONTH iPaper TOP FICTION PICK 'An absolutely charming novel that all bookworms will adore' Red 'A balm for the soul and a glorious love letter to books and reading' iPaper There was only one thing on her mind. 'I must start a bookshop.'
Yeongju did everything she was supposed to, go to university, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart.
Burned out, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop. In a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married coffee roaster, and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju - they all have disappointments in their past.
The Hyunam-dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live. A heart-warming story about finding comfort and acceptance in your life – and the healing power of books.
'Delightful, reflective and heart-warming' Woman's Weekly 'Profound and healing ... a beautiful story at its heart' Woman & Home 'An incredibly exciting debut novel. At once gentle and invigorating. I devoured it' Sarah Crossan, author of Here is the Beehive Reader Reviews: 'Love love love this book! Cosy, heart warming, wholesome...Will be recommending this to everyone. It makes me smile when I think about it!' 'Such a beautiful book, I adored the story and characters, The writing style was gorgeous. 100% recommend.' 'A love letter to books, bookshops and all who love them' 'Such a warm and cosy read! Was completely here for it...and the appreciation for books was magical' 'A heart-warming cosy read that makes you think about how important it is to be happy, and that we can all find a place to call 'home'.'
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A light, almost melancholic read about life and where it leads us. Is it okay to do what you want in life? Is it okay to not want to be part of the rat race and live at your own pace?
Follow the lives of the employees of Hyunam-Dong bookshop as they struggle with the rat race and their decision to leave it, which brings together people from different walks of life but who have all asked the same question - is it worth it?
Relationships are masterfully woven without excess romance or spice, but just the slow, gentle appreciation that one person can have for another. The acknowledgement that who we are today might not be who we are tomorrow, and changing our lives is not always a bad thing.
This was a great cosy read that left me questioning my decisions in life, and made me more motivated to get to where I actually want to be, instead of where I think I should be.
3.5. Meandering and slow building, but in the end warming and quietly wholesome. Topical messages for the contemporary South Korean zeitgeist of escaping the capitalist ratrace and emancipation from older norms of traditional marriage.
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