The concept behind this novel is a really brilliant one. It's set in some sort of parallel world, a place we visit when we sleep. Once there, 'visitors' can purchase dreams from places like the department store of the title. The story follows Penny, a new shop assistant, as she learns about her new trade. It also features short examples of the lives of some of the dreamers and how the dreams they choose affect their lives.

It really is a great idea, and Lee creates a slightly surreal but close-to-reality world that feels very much like a dream might. I like the way she mixes mundane details with sudden clashing oddities, just like often happens when we are dreaming. Not everything about the 'dream world' quite makes sense, and a lot is left unexplained, but then perhaps that's to be expected since that's the nature of dreams.

The place the book falls down is the lack of any single plot. I kept waiting for the overall story arc to become apparent, but there isn't one. There are several very promising starts that I expected would turn into the main plot (and perhaps a few associated subplots). But none of them go anywhere. It's frustrating if you like a story to have a clear trajectory. The plot is literally that a young woman takes a job in a shop selling dreams, and then she works there until the novel ends. There's no tension, no mystery.

A second issue is the characters. Penny is unobjectionable, but I didn't feel strongly about her. Despite being at the centre of an entire novel, I didn't feel like I knew anything about or even that there was anything interesting to know. The other characters are all just a collection of traits, often caricatures, without any depth. The lack of plot wouldn't have mattered if I'd really loved the characters and just wanted to read about them going about their daily lives.

The writing is fine - not particularly special, but it's easy to read and flows well, and Lee certainly creates that slightly 'off' sense you get when dreaming. I found it a bit too keen on 'telling' rather than 'showing' - readers generally can read between lines without needing everything spelt out. However I'm mindful that it is a translation and sometimes it's simply not possible to retain the original character of a writing style in a different language.

If you enjoy fantasy and like 'world building' - particularly if you're not too hung up on plot - then I'd recommend the story. It's an easy and quick read and I can't fault the idea behind it. I just wish Lee had done something more spectacular in terms of finding a single, exciting, memorable story to set in her incredible world.

✨ 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ✨

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: DallerGut Dream Department Store
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Mi-ye Lee, translated by Sandy Joosun Lee
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5/5

“‘𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥.’
‘𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.’ 𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘥𝘴.
‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦.’
‘𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵?’
‘𝘛𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵, 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳.’”

🤍 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗵𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲
🌸 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹, 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
🤍 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱
🌸 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴

I absolutely adored this. It’s the kind of book I could read over and over again, finding out it’s the first in a duology has elevated my mood massively because I cannot get enough of DallerGut Dream Department Store and will they accept my application to work there?

This book is full of the deepest whimsy, but it’s fun too, captivating me in a way that I haven’t felt from a book in a while. Each chapter looks at different dreams including, trauma processing, seasonal dreams, dreams inspired by grief, dreams that provide inspiration, and quite literally an entire department store full of dreams. Each chapter contains a wonderful message like the quote at the beginning of this review, thanks to the exploration into sleep and dreams—emphasizing the importance for both—which is incredibly insightful.

The main character, Penny, comes across as a bit clueless and naive, but I feel this was done with intention as it helps the reader navigate the clever world building and systemic creations. The prose remains cheerful and comforting throughout the novel and this gorgeous book made for a quick read that works seamlessly to brighten a readers mood.

—Kayleigh🤍

I have never read a novel quite like this before. I have always loved books that delved into dreams and and the dream world and I loved the concept that the shop was a place where you could go in and buy whatever dream you wanted.

I loved the mystery element of trying to recover the stolen dream, I just wished that they elaborated a bit more on this idea and it was only a small portion of the book.

However, I did like reading about all the different customers and their dreams and how they were connected in different ways.

I can’t wait to pick up the next book already so I can hopefully get the answers to some of the questions that remain at the end of the book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an E-ARC of this book.

What a ride! I DEVOURED this book in one sitting! It's essentially Blockbusters but for dreams and I am here for it! It felt really trippy, but at the same time I felt like I was able to connect to all of the characters in one way or another. After working for so many years in retail myself, I loved the smaller details like the retail heirarchy and the quirkiness of all the workers. I cannot wait to read the sequel, and I hope it is translated soon!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this early copy of DallerGut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee. This was a inventive, at times weird take on dreams that brought many a smile to my face.

Slice of life realism with great writing. This was a good story, hard to describe, but felt like it needed more potential

The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Mi-Ye Lee is a whimsical and joyfully humorous look into the world of our dreams.

I loved the idea that are dreams are stories we buy from a department store after we fall asleep. It feels like the 2023 fantasy version of blockbuster. That this story is told from the POV of the retail workers in the store brings a flavor of customer service humor that bizarrely compliments the ethereal energy of the dreams. Giant furries that hand out PJ’s to nude sleepers, Leprechauns trying to transition out of the shoe business and into the dream business, celebrity/pop culture icon dream makers with wild names like Wawa Sleepland and Babynap Rockabye, what’s not to love?

The characters that work in the store are gold, playing on the different layers and styles of management to be found in retail, types of co-workers, and customers. Anyone who has ever worked in retail will be reading and thinking “YES!” Penny’s wide eyed innocence and earnest work ethic is the perfect straight faced delivery as she observes the dynamics of her new (and first) play of employment.

The heart of this story is the enigmatic Dallergut, owner of the department store. A sort of Willy Wonka figure who seems to behave erratically, but deep down moves with purpose and compassion.

Lee uses the dreams: the styles, the reasons people buy them, the glimpses of the customers waking lives, to delicately weave themes of grief, hope, inspiration, heartache, and beauty. Reading this book is like falling asleep and waking up refreshed, it is a gently meandering story that’s easy on the mind and filling for the soul.

This story is originally Korean and has a sequel, but this first novel here has just been translated into English for the first time. I sincerely hope they translate the second novel as well.

Such a light and whimsical book full with a fascinating premise and well-imagined setting and characters. I enjoyed this unique book a lot as it deals with the world of dreams, its meanings and how we humans deal with the various feelings brought about by dreams. I can understand why it was a bestseller in South Korea and other countries. I can't wait for the second book to be translated to English!

Thanks ever so much to @headlinebooks for sharing this title with me on @netgalley!

DallerGut Dream Department Store: The Dream You Ordered is Sold Out by Mi-Ye Lee, translated by Sandy Joosun Lee.

I don't think I've ever wanted to love a book more than this one (I mean, with such a beautiful cover, who wouldn't?) but oh my goodness, this wasn't good. I'm normally not the best judge of good writing and struggle to discern between good and bad authors, actors, etc, but every once in a while, you're faced with such obvious, ludicrous examples of poorly written works or poorly acted roles (Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter films, I'm looking at you... Daisy Ridley in The Last Jedi, I'm also looking at you), that you just have to hold your hands up and give into the crapness. I'm gutted to say that this is one such example and it breaks my heart.

The good stuff: the gorgeous COVER DESIGN. Someone give that designer a raise! Even if I wasn't able to find that exact version in Koryo Books, Koreatown, NYC, I was still delighted by its imaginative design. 10/10. The basic tenets of this whimsical world are also refreshing, to begin with. Aww, people walk around in pyjamas and can buy all sorts of dreams! Kooky artists come up with one-of-a-kind dreams and then sell them to the public as revered figures! Aww, Penny's interviewing for a job at the eponymous department store and she's nervous! Just like we all would be! I even thought the writing was charming and elegant during the first chapter...

...and then Penny becomes the most insufferably, aggressively boring person on the planet. 'Show, don' tell' goes out of the window as soon as she gets the job - nothing is left to the imagination, everything is unnecessarily clarified. For example, a character will say something that is very obviously deceiving or suspicious. As a reader, I like to think I can read between the lines, and so I understand what is being hinted at. BUT NO! We need to be helped through these trying times and so, every one of those instances is followed by mind-numbing statements such as 'Penny thought this didn't sound good' YEAH, NO SHIT. Sorry, this book made me so angry.

There are also no stakes. At all. No tension, no intrigue, no obvious resolution, no end goal, no pay-off. It's all so superficial and sickly sweet: imagine if someone wrote a novel about your first days and weeks in a brand new job. You'd cringe at the thought of having to read over your stupid mistakes, your naïve questions, your misplaced bright-eyed ingenuity... well, this is what this book felt like, though in real life, you would hope that you would gradually improve. Penny, however, does not. She is such a poorly constructed character, constantly veering between newby stupidity and out of the blue Mary Sue confidence (apologies for using that term, let me know if there's any weird incel-y connotations.) Contradicting your boss in front of other people in a meeting? Yeah, that'll go down well. And yet no one seems to care, everyone is happy, and even when she does mess something up, there are no repercussions. Sigh. Just because it's a made up world, it doesn't mean people cease being human!

Towards the end, I realised exactly what this reminded me of: Harry Potter. The faux eccentric characters, the forced whimsical elements... it's trying too hard. Frame the cover, disregard the rest.

1.5/5

Really quite trippy to read, I was never sure as this rumbled on if the story was a dream itself or just a total fantasy. Terry Pratchett fans may well enjoy the very imaginative take on dreams, as it is so creative. Sometimes the translation is a tiny bit jarring but it's a fascinating read - it just gave me very odd dreams!!

The DallerGut Dream Department Store is a shop where all the customers who visit are asleep. The customers buy dreams from ‘the Legendary Five’ dream-makers who are the most successful and are celebrities in their field. Four floors of dreams entice the customers. Each floor has a characterful manager, all presided over by the easy-going, eccentric, genius owner - DallerGut.

All the time whilst reading this book I had a strong feeling of ‘this is such a cute book’. But cute is a bit too flippant of a description. There were so many more layers to this book. It’s totally cute, but also clever, insightful, thoughtful, satisfying, sad, elevating, cheering and ultimately, completely satisfying!

A whimsical and lovely book about a store where dreams are sold. A relaxing read, and written in a striking voice. I will definitely recommend this to readers!

Only those who are asleep can enter the DallerGut Dream Department Store. Themed dreams are sold on various floors. The employees as well as the the owner, Dallergut, are all quirky characters.

Penny lands her dream job at the store. She quickly settles into her job and learns the ropes of being in the dream business. Dreams are advertised and those who are asleep, 'buy' the dreams. The dreams are created by renowned dream makers. The themes to these dreams are vast and the customers get to choose what they wish to dream about.

The real world is also seen through the eyes of the dreamers whilst they are awake. Their circumstances lead them to have their dreams and their dreams end up enriching their lives.

The content of this book is unique, brilliantly unusual and will keep you hooked.

Thank you, NetGalley for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

In a mysterious town hidden in our subconscious, there’s a whimsical store where all kinds of dreams are sold…

The story follows Penny, our protagonist who has a job interview at the DallerGut Dream Department Store. As Penny prepares for her new job, we are introduced to a host of characters that are regulars throughout the book. This eclectic cast of characters play a vital role in teaching us about the various dreams that can be bought at the store, and the deeper meanings that can be found in dreams. Each floor of the department store sells different kinds of dreams, such as dreams for animals, the elderly and those seeking adventure.

Each chapter of the book follows Penny as she learns about what it means to work in the dream business and how they influence the lives of their customers. I liked how each chapter taught you something different about the dream world and also about human behaviour.

This is the perfect read for autumn and winter. A cosy fantasy that is similar to slice-of-life anime. A fun, quirky story that depicts the human condition in a palatable way. Alongside Penny, we learn about what it means to dwell on the past and worry for the future, and how these can also be positive things. This book is perfect for those who want to read about the mundane things in life, finding inspiration, overcoming trauma, resilience, and having hope.

This book has similar vibes to Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Spirited Away, and Howl's Moving Castle.

I liked this book. It’s hard to describe what it’s about. A slice of life with just a little magical realism sprinkled in.

I think this is really sweet cosy fantasy novel with moments of Ghibli-esq elements. It was a really easy to visualise book and the world was fascinating to explore.