This is exactly the sort of book I love but I never know how to explain them or review them

I sat down about 3 hours ago, put the audiobook on, and I haven't moved. I've just been doing some data entry stuff and been sucked into this Dream Department Store. Wonderful.

This book started as a story of a girl getting her dream job at the Dream Department Store on the front desk. Whilst there she learns about the different departments and the types of dreams they tailor, with the customers coming in to make their purchases depending on their needs for the night.

What seems like an innocuous following of a girl’s new job and learning the ropes becomes a series of interconnecting stories that show how dreams can help us with the past to reach a better place for our future endeavours. Whether that is a nightmare to help work through trauma or simply to meet up with a crush for a drink to work through our feelings.

I have as much love for this as I do The Secrets of the Namiya General Store, and I can say that it has cemented itself for now as my favourite read so far this year. This feels like it is a book that caters to a specific type of reader though, so it definitely won’t be for everyone, but it is catered for someone like me.

Dallergut Dream Department Store is a very whimsical book that instantly drew me in. It really shows the power of dreams and how they can impact lives. I enjoyed the idea of a store where you go to buy your dreams and pay in the emotions they make you feel.

It was fun to learn about the different people involved in making dreams. We have the sellers, the dream makers and those who give out clothes to the dreamers! The dream makers were very interesting and each have their own style. I liked the fact that they had awards kind of like the Oscars. The sellers have the job of finding the right dreams for the people and sometimes refusing if it doesn't fit.

Each chapter was it's own little story. It's very much a slice of life with nothing huge really happening but it was fun and nice. There was some very good quotes and it was pretty uplifting.

Author Mi-ye Lee has created cozy, imaginative story about a department store that exists in our collective unconscious, and is the purveyor of dreams. One can only enter the store when asleep, and customers' responses to their dreams create Wonder, Flutter, and other important components that help a dream store continue to operate. The Dallergut Dream Department Store has a solid reputation, and is constantly busy offering a variety of dreams created by celebrated dream designers to humans and animals around the world.

Penny is the store's new hire, and counts herself as tremendously lucky to be one of its staff. She meets each floor's managers, who all have distinctive personalities. Each of the five floors offers their customers a specialized experience for their dream, such as ice skating, stardom, food, childhood memories, encounters with loved ones who have died, and flight, though flight is almost always sold out.

Over the course of this quiet story, Penny gets to know her benevolent boss Mr. Dallergut better, meets celebrity dream designers, and learns more about how the dream department store operates, and why it is so popular with dreamers. We also meet specific clients, seeking something from their lives, whether stardom or managing grief, that the Dallergut dreams satisfy. Interestingly, Mr. Dallergut also brings on a nightmare designer, which he instinctively knows will help some clients in their emotional growth.

This is an unusual and sweet story. It is not plot heavy, and the characters are quirky and gentle, which made this charming book a wonderfully soothing experience.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Headline for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Wonderfully whimsical story about dreaming, from their conception to their influence on the waking world. The reader follows Penny on her new employment at the Dallergut Dream Department Store, the most famous shop that sells every kind of dream possible to their sleepy customers. There's everything from prime dreams, designed by superstar dream developers, to short nap dreams and those aimed at your furry pets.

There's no solid conclusions, no plot even as such, and no dramatic tension or peril for thr characters. It's just people helping people, often involving giant furry talking animals who cover up naked sleepers, to have nice dreams. And sometimes that's all you want in a novel.

A delightful, whimsical tale, following Penny and her life working at the DallerGut Dream Department Store. It's hard to sum up really - some magic realism, quirky characters, themes of love, loss, hope and fear. I would love to see this as a two or three part mini-series on tv!

This is a wonderful, warming and wholesome novel imagining a world in which sleeping people shop for dreams at DallerGut Dream Department Store. We follow our protagonist as she secures a coveted position on the staff at the store, at the front desk no less,

We meet a myriad of weird and brilliant characters, combining fantasy with reality seamlessly to create a believable and paradaisaical utopia. As a reader, you'll wish you could visit this magical place in your own slumber. A beautifully written novel, I will be recommending this highly.

What a dream of a book! The lovely premise is a somewhat secret dimension that we visit when we’re about to fall asleep and our subconscious self chooses dreams from several department stores.
The most prestigious of these being Dallergut… think the Harrod’s of bedtime stories.

Penny is a new recruit to the store and we see it all through her eyes.
The eccentric cast of characters who staff the store, and the many dream designers who are like the pop stars of the town, famous as they are for their Dream creations.
I loved the attention to details, like the Noctilucas, giant cat-like creatures whose job it is to run around town with robes and pyjamas for costumers who turn up in various states of undress (they arrive in their sleep after all!)
We follow a year in the life of the store and get to know the world of the store and the wonderful Mr Dallergut himself.
A lovely quick read translated from Korean, I read this in just two sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it.

This absolute fever dream of a novel has sold over a million copies in South Korea and is hugely beloved in its home country: now available in translation for the first time, it follows Penny, a new hire at the eponymous department store which, simply put, supplies sleepers with dreams. This is Penny’s dream (ha) job and she quickly settles in, gets to know her colleagues and tries to establish the mysterious chains of command between the fantastical creatures which run the different departments in the building. Very soon Penny gets to meet with the dream makers themselves, much respected artisans who craft dreams to solve problems, create romance or unlock secrets.

It gradually becomes clear that the department store exists in a dream world, where sleepers arrive before they start dreaming to select their night’s adventure or be given helpful hints by those who work in the store – sometimes the dreamers arrive unsuitably attired, and have to be given pyjamas or nightgowns to wear. We’re also treated to the results of the dreams out in the real world, where people suddenly remember forgotten facts or fall in love with new acquaintances. Heavy on delightful “magical admin”, the book sees dreamers pay for their experiences with much-sought-after emotions, which can then be used to craft ever more complex nighttime imaginings. The whole experience of spending time in this world is charmingly cosy and whimsical, and makes this the perfect wintery read for those who love fantasy adventures or Studio Ghibli-style animated films - and what’s even better is that there’s a second book in the series.

Featured in the January 24 issue of Cambridge Edition magazine – digital version linked below

DallerGut Dream Department Store is a fun and whimsical experience that I enjoyed from start to finish. The world is so unique and intersting, and I love the concept of being able to purchase certain types of dreams. It sounds like a great job, I can understand why working in this store is such a coveted opportunity.
The only reason I deducted one star was because I found the cast of characters needed a little bit more distinction. I didn't really connect with them as much as I wanted to. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I am looking forward to the sequel. Thank you for the copy!

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

Unfortunately, I was unable to download this book before it was archived and so am leaving this as a review/explanation as I didn't know what else to do after finding a few books I had managed to miss in a section of my account entitled Not Active: Archived, Not Downloaded; so I thought it best to clear it up. I have already bought a copy and will leave a review on places like Amazon, Goodreads, Waterstones, etc, once I've completed it and formed my thoughts on it. Apologies for any inconvenience and thank you for the opportunity.

While people sleep- there is a place you can go to (maybe not consciously) where you can buy a dream in a store- and you can find the perfect one for you!
Our protagonist, sells these dream- and every day at the job she realises how important and special her role is and the importance of this place. The role of dreams is to help people work through emotions and trauma or relive beautiful sensations and live on.

A quick contemporary tale with lots of wise moments and beautiful explorations of what dreams are and how they can help us evolve and change, even when we are not aware of it. Funny, sad and happy at the same time. I truly enjoyed this- a quick read that gives you comfort. Dreams are not just dreams!

This is a translated novel that I would best describe as speculative fiction, it has much the same charm as a lot of the East Asian literature I have read, in the vein of magical realism, which I often really enjoy. However the one thing I cannot look past and ended up inhibiting my reading experience for this book was the translation. An almost impossible task for many I would assume would be to take the charm of an immensely popular book and translate it to keep that charm in another language, particularly in this case when the languages sentence structure and rhythm is so different. This was unfortunately clunky and confusing in the writing itself, something I am ultimately very dissapointed about as there are a few rare moments where I could see the original intent shining through. I simply couldnt get immersed in the story and I found myself skimming towards the end which was a real shame. I have little doubt that this is a great book and I am more than anything, sad that I cannot experience it the way it was intended. Perhaps on audiobook this would be a better read, that cozy, short, escapism, I was craving, however in print it really is overwhelmingly jarring for me.

This ended up being one of my best reads of 2023, it was a full on whimsical read that managed to remind me of Enid Blyton's Magic Farway Tree while also containing all the aspects of the Japanese/Korean books I've enjoyed over the past few years.
Having a run of insomnia and bad dreams makes me wish that this was real!

A fun, heartwarming story with a wholesome cast.

South Korean writer Lee Miye carves a deceptively simple story about the selfless love of parents who are ready to do anything so that children can have a better future. About how many simple things that would cost us nothing, we do not talk and do not do for loved ones before it is too late. About flying in a dream and in reality.

Yes, that if you want to succeed, you need to get enough sleep - after all.

If you're looking for something warm and fuzzy with low stakes, this is for you!

Such a fun little read, with the cosiest and quirkiest storyline that follows a select few, as they go about their business working at Dallergut's Dream Department Store, where you guessed it... dreams of all kinds, are sold. 💤

The story is a bit on the slower side, following the same group of individuals means smaller stakes, but the ideas are clever and big adventures do have there place within these pages - Penny, our female lead, fulfills her dream whilst selling dreams and the dreams themselves bring joy and wisdom to those who seek them. I'm definitely intrigued to see what turn the second book takes as the first has been a wonderful introduction to Korean literature. 🌈✨

Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc of this book. It has been an incredible experience.

The book has an interesting wonderful setting: a dreams-shop. Every being can come and buy dreams when they fall asleep and they pay with the emotions they have when they wake up. Incredible idea!

The story ia cosy and beautiful. There is not a lot of action, you are basically following different people chosing the perfect dream for them. The owner and some employees from the store are the main characters. You don't learn much about them, the story focuses on dreams and emotions.

It is a unique book that I highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this! It was very cosy and comforting, and I really love the concept of being able to control and choose our dreams. The characters I think felt a little underdeveloped - even the main character, Penny, we know barely anything about her or her background, and it made it difficult to connect to her; I felt more connected to the side characters such as those who we meet as they come into the store looking for the perfect dream. In particular, there were a couple of dreams in the last chapter that were very emotional and touching, and had me tearing up. I hope that in the next book we get to learn more about Penny, and also about DallerGut himself, and that we get to see some more world expansion!

I've really been enjoying reading some more Korean literature recently, and this really intrigued me! I'd never heard of anything remotely like the premise of this novel before - a worker at a department store revolving around the selling of dreams for a better night's sleep? It sounded incredible, and it was really refreshing to read such an original story as this. However, I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing, and whether that's a translation thing or not, I'm not sure. It felt quite rudimentary at times, which was disappointing considering the world-building that this book could've contained. I also found that the plot lost my interest towards the end, which wasn't great considering how short the book actually was! I just didn't love the way in which a whole host of secondary characters were introduced all at the same time and we were just expected to care about them immediately.