Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop

Reviews

This buoyant, charming novel celebrates books as a source of growth and connection, and as a gentle antidote to the pressures of modern life. Hwang Bo-reum has created a quirky comfort read that invites readers into the heart of this sweet bookstore . . . a delightful place to be! Already a bestseller in Korea, this quiet debut novel poses big questions about what it means to be successful and lead a fulfilling life. A worthy entry into the ever-growing constellation of fiction about the power of books, reading, and community. The prolonged philosophical considerations of reading, community, happiness, and the meaning of work offer moments of reflection and observation. Bo-Reum pleasantly evokes the feeling of spending an afternoon in a favorite bookstore. A snapshot of life in a quiet corner of Seoul examines how reading can help give voice to emotions, worries, and dreams. A story that embraces its sentimentality. Delightful, reflective and heart-warming . . . we challenge you not to fall in love with it. A real love letter to reading . . . wonderful. A slice-of-life tale with appealing characters. Their stories explore aspects of Korean culture … the messages about happiness and not wasting time in unsuitable and meaningless endeavors are uplifting and provide a cozy read. I may have found my ideal bookshop book when I read Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop. What sets Hyunam-Dong apart is how much it reveals about getting a store up and running … By the end of Hyunam-Dong, [Yeongju] has encountered enough surprises to figure out that bookshops — and love — rarely go by the book. Already a run-away hit in its original Korean, this gentle, philosophical novel is a balm for book lovers, for the burnt-out, and for anyone seeking change or community. It reminded me of all the reasons bookstores are my favorite ‘third-place’ and also my favorite way to get to know a place. This is a heartwarming story that everyone should read in their quiet moments. A wonderfully cozy novel . . . It is wonderfully true-to-life and a very charming, intimate reading experience. Hwang Bo-reum's graceful, meditative debut novel, translated by Shanna Tan, introduces readers to an engaging cast of lost souls seeking answers to the central questions of their lives: What does it mean to live a contented life in a competitive culture? And can we achieve contentment if our decisions make others unhappy? … A meditation on bookstores and the communities they foster, as well as an aspirational story of finding purpose when you think you might be ready to give up. [This] debut novel is a comfortable book about books … Bound to be a book club favorite. Ever have a dream where you chuck your life and start over as the owner of a small bookstore? Of course you have. Live out that fantasy with this hit Korean novel available in English for the first time. This will be great when you really need a feel-good read. The book reads like a well-thought, free-flowing conversation … I absolutely loved Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop. Something is life-affirming about the story and its characters that will stay with me, in my heart and thoughts. It is the kind of book that will feel new and exciting every time you read it. [This book] suggests that finding daily satisfaction is itself a serious job … Hwang explores how a person might choose to counter workism without rejecting work entirely, and how a meaningful life might be built by applying oneself to even the most pleasurable pastimes. What is perhaps most surprising about Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is the way in which Hwang Bo-reum juxtaposes the coziness of a favorite bookstore with the creative and financial stress situated just below the surface. It’s a warm read, to be sure, but it comes by that warmth honestly. With its slice-of-life chapters and lovable cast of characters, Hwang Bo-reum’s Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is the key to starting your healing journey … [It is] equal parts cute and thought-provoking, and who doesn’t need some healing fiction in their life? The book is a cup of hot tea on a rainy day … [It] is observational, approachable, and makes you feel as if you’re reading an account of real people versus a wild book of fiction. It’s clear the writer loves books, and as a fellow book lover, the book felt like coming home. Via her thoughts on literature, Yeongju gives voice to the author’s message about the redemptive power of reading. Yeongju’s definition of a good book could be a description of Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop itself: ‘[L]iterary novels with social commentary . . . When authors delve deep into their understanding of life to touch the hearts of readers, helping them to navigate life, isn’t that what a good book should be?’ Expand reviews