Marigold Mind Laundry is a delightfully strange and compelling read. From the first page, the author pulls you into Marigold’s curious world—however, I couldn’t help but feel that the story’s surreal, atmospheric quality could be explored even better as a graphic novel. The vivid, imaginative elements lend themselves beautifully to a visual format, which could deepen the story’s impact.

The Marigold Mind Laundry is a laundry that washes away pain. It is a shortish cosy read where each chapter is loosely connected to the others. The translation is good. That is, it felt like reading a piece of original text and not like reading a clunky translation that lost the charm of the original work.

I liked the overall comforting message of the book, but also felt as if I had read something similar before. There have been a lot of cosy Asian books on the market lately and I get the feeling that if you have read one, you have read them all. This is an exaggeration, each book has it's unique appeal, yet the overall feeling is one of saturation. I might need to take a step back from the genre for some time.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

First, thank you netgalley for this eARC. The review was long overdue as I can't let myself finish this book. I cane across this book just when I needed it. I do have a lot of highlights and annotations on this book. I even recommended it to my friend even though I'm still reading it. Anyways, here is my review.

"The Marigold Mind Laundry" is a thought-provoking novel that explores theme of memory. The story revolves around a facility called The Marigold Mind Laundry, where people go to have their minds "laundered," erasing painful memories and emotions. It is well-paced and presents an intriguing premise that raises ethical questions about the role of memory in shaping who we are. The characters are engaging, and the writing is accessible, making it an easy read for those interested in speculative fiction. While the world-building could be more detailed, the central concept and the emotional weight of the story make it a compelling and enjoyable read.

Before I started writing this review I had to go check things out and see why so many people are giving it three stars when I intend to give it the full five! I loved it and thought it was unusual and delightful. However it seems there is a lot of fiction currently being produced with this self healing theme - I just had not met any yet!

Anyway I really enjoyed this one. I was grabbed at the start by the magical realism, loved the characters especially Jieun, and could feel the atmosphere of the culture all around them. The importance of sharing food with friends was everywhere. The magic of the petals was inspired. The world building was brilliant. I guess it was a touch sentimental, maybe a little too sweet occasionally but I was too busy enjoying the characters to mind any of that.

Five solid stars and I will be looking for more by this author.

✨🫧🧺✨ Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun, Translated by Shanna Tan ✨🧺🫧✨

Oh my gosh…my heart is so full!!! I sat down last night to start Marigold Mind Laundry and read it in one sitting. I cannot begin to describe how beautiful this book is. It’s full of magic, wonder, friendship, hope, love, loss and everything in between. Fantastically heartfelt, Marigold Mind Laundry feels like a warm hug and reminds the reader to appreciate the beauty that is all around us. Truly a phenomenal read that is now one of my all time favorites. Keeping my fingers crossed for an English Translation of book 2, Marigold Mind Photo Studio!

Thank you so much CPBT & Dial Press for sending me a copy! 🫧

This was a warm read but with some darker threads as Jieun finds herself cursed and experiencing many lives, as she tries to find her parents and struggles with her purpose in the world and her magic. The writing is very sedate, in the sense that we don't experience much of Jieun's emotions whilst she's experiencing what would be very traumatic circumstances. I found it difficult to connect the beginning of the book to the end, it seemed a little like one unfinished story was told, and turned into a different one. That being said I did enjoy dipping into the other characters lives and experiences, which have led them to Jieun's Mind Laundry. The found family vibe was also really sweet, and it was great to see these people from different backgrounds coming together and finding contentment in their lives.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

I loved the concept of 'Marigold Mind Laundry', and from the blurb it sounded like exactly my kind of read. A magical laundromat where people go to erase their painful memories and wash away their troubles, how enchanting.
Sadly it was not for me. I don't know if it was the timing of when I picked it up, or the reading mood I was in. There's also been a lot of Asian literature in translation released in the last few months with similar elements and atmosphere - the healing and cosy kind of reads sprinkled with magic.
I'd still highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed The Welcome to Hyunam-Dong Bookshop, The Lantern of Lost Memories and The Kamogawa Food Detectives.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"We remove stains from the heart and mind, and erase your painful memories. If it makes you happier, we can also iron out any creases, and get rid of unwanted blotches. We remove all types of stains. Welcome to the Marigold Mind Laundry."

I love this bright, colourful cover! Marigold Mind Laundry is a positive, light read with healing themes. I do love translated fiction and I'm enjoying seeing more novels being translated from Korean into English.

I loved the concept of the Mind Laundry and meeting different people and hearing their stories. However, I had high expectations of this novel and it didn't quite hit the mark for me. There were some great quotes, but I generally found it a bit clichéd.

Jieun lives in a Laundry on top of a hill in a village called Marigold. She has the ability to take people's pain and wash it out of their life if they want to get rid of it.
She has lived a long time and is tired. Through helping other people she learns that she needs to look forward and enjoy life not look back at what she has missed.
A nice little book from Korea.

Thank you NetGalley and Doubleday books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

“We will wash away your pain and iron away any creases in your heart.”

Young Jieun accidentally misuses her powers, causing her beloved family to vanish. She lives a million restless lives in search of them, and in the village of Marigold on top of a hill, she conjures up her Mind Laundry.

Five wounded souls find themselves in this mysterious place, and Jieun cleanses painful experiences from their hearts, transferring them into stains on a T-shirt and turning them into dazzling red petals.

Korean translated fiction. magical realism, emotional and reflective prose, found family - a truly gorgeous novel sharing the stories of five wounded souls and our main character Jieun.

The concept of the Mind Laundry makes my heart ACHE - I’m genuinely yearning for this place to exist. This imagination and style of magical realism is why I have come to love this genre so much.

Each character was complex and had their own unique history and pain that they wanted to wash away. It was a pleasure to see them on their journey and how some were able to find family.

The writing was so beautiful and there were so many beautiful quotes (if sometimes a little repetitive).

This was a really wonderful read and I would definitely recommend it if you’re after something to get you thinking.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝘆 • 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘂𝗻 𝗬𝘂𝗻 • 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗻
★★★.𝟳𝟱

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁
- Translated literary fiction
- Healing prose
- Magical realism
- Found family

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
This was such a wholesome, refreshing, and healing work of fiction. In this book, we are introduced to Jieun, who opens a magical launderette that can wash away a persons most painful memories.

The concept makes my heart ache and the finished product is simply lovely. The characters in the book grow like flowers away from their trauma and embrace themselves fully, finding new hobbies, relationships and careers to fuel their wellbeing.

A two was shed whilst reading this.

𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀
“𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘯.”

“𝘚𝘰, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴, 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬. 𝘉𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴. 𝘐𝘵’𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘙𝘦𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘦. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘰.”

‘𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺?’ 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘢. ‘𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵’𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦.

Have you ever read of a place that you wish was real? I need the Marigold Mind Laundry to be real so I can go and just I cam just wash the stains of my heart and life away. I need to get rid of the bad memories so I would definitely visit it!

This was such an emotional but beautiful story. Jieun is an amazing character who while searching for her parents takes the time to help others. It is helping others that reminds her to live and to make lasting friendships. I liked getting to know her character and also watching her come to terms with a lot of things.

We get to meet a range of characters in this one and each has their own problems and things they would like to solve or forget. I liked how unique each character was and their own journeys to self discovery.

Overall a moving story with magical realism and reflection at its core. I definitely recommend picking this one up!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“It’s nothing. Just that when I see you keeping still and facing the sunset, it feels like you’re going to be sucked into the twilight.”

The Marigold Mind Laundry explores the concept of “laundering” the mind, with its focus on emotional and mental well-being. Jieun urges visitors of the laundry to think of whatever they wish to forget, and watch the negative memories and feelings manifest as stains or creases on a white shirt, to be washed away.

This book urges you to consider emotions more deeply, particularly the impact of negative feelings on both yourself and others, and reminds you that the people you surround yourself with can change the course of your life. It teaches you that things are not all black and white; there are layers and depth to life. You do not need to be all happy or all sad, you can be both, or one, or none.
This is a lesson in letting go of just enough to keep going, whilst reminding us that all memories, good or bad, make us who we are.

Jieun has lived many lives across many worlds before she arrived in Marigold. She has spent many of her previous lives searching for the family she lost and blaming herself for that loss. But in this life, Jieun decides to pause and help others erase some of the pain they feel because she knows what it’s like to feel that. From the earnest desire to comfort and heal, she creates the Marigold Mind Laundry. Here, visitors can come along, share the pain they feel in their heart and Jieun will cleanse away that pain, offer comfort and help them heal.

We meet some of these visitors who will become her close friends and we see a change take place in Jieun too. In helping others, can she also find understanding and peace herself?

This book is another lovely, heartwarming read we often associate with Korean fiction: looking at life, what it means to be human, to make mistakes, to feel low and lost, to feel love and pain. How that shapes us and whether being able to erase past pains would make us happier or if we need them to make us who we are. Is it worth worrying about the past and / or the future? Because one we cannot change and the other is not yet here… What about what others think of us? Is that important or should we follow our heart? These big questions are approached in such a tender way in this story that you will find yourself pause whilst reading it and ponder those truths. I actually found it quite reassuring and comforting at times and would highly recommend this book.

Fiction meant to soothe readers and offer them a chance to retreat, however briefly, into a comforting space is a growing feature of South Korea’s literary landscape. Dubbed “K-healing” it’s a genre that’s rapidly catching on. There are increasing numbers of similar Japanese novels; and K-healing narratives are taking off with followers of translated fiction in the U.S. and U.K. A massive hit in South Korea, Jungeun Yun’s debut novel’s a prime example of this kind of “healing fiction.” Fans of the genre will recognise elements of other titles in this one: from the diverse cast of characters to the space that brings them together – often a book shop or a coffee house - here a launderette; and the guide-like yet flawed protagonist.

Jungeun Yun’s story is a blend of fantasy and reality centred on a woman known only as Jieun. Jieun was born in a magical town bordering on the human world, as she grew, she developed special abilities. But these gifts led to her parents’ disappearance, she’s spent several lifetimes searching and grieving for them. Now Jieun may be nearing the end of her existence. She finds herself in a town called Marigold where she decides to put down roots and find a way to use her powers for good, particularly her ability to erase traumatic memories and emotions.

Jieun constructs a magical launderette inviting visitors to take part in a ritual designed to wash away their troubles: stalled careers; failed relationships. Her clients range from a former celeb influencer mired in scandal and pursued by anti-fans to a lonely deliveryman who’s never recovered from childhood bullying. Through her work, Jieun gradually forms bonds within the town. But she comes to realise these connections work both ways, slowly enabling her to come to terms with her own pain and feelings of loss.

In Korean culture marigolds stand for happiness that will definitely come, one of Jungeun Yun’s key themes. Alongside this is an emphasis on withstanding and overcoming adversity partly inspired by the author’s favourite line from poet Paul Valery, “The wind blows, I must live.” Although it has a whimsical, webtoon quality, the novel does incorporate more serious, sombre material; drawing on issues in Korean society from school bullying to challenges faced by single mothers. But, first and foremost, it’s a celebration of found family.

It’s a well-crafted piece, a decent example of what’s known in the trade as “upmarket fiction” suspended between literary and commercial. Overall, it’s very readable. I found the worldbuilding fascinating, and many of the characters sympathetic. But sometimes the “cosy” and “heart-warming” aspects were a little hard to take, tipping too much towards sentimental and syrupy for my personal taste. Jungeun Yun has a background in writing self-help books and that could be a tad obvious at times too - this is packed with homilies and stirring exhortations to treat each moment as precious. But for readers who can cope with all that, then this is well worth trying. Translated by Shanna Tan.

This story will soothe you, give you hope, provide calm from your chaotic mind with a touch of warmth, friendship and the simple joys of sharing food, conversation and laughs.

📚 Marigold Mind Laundry 📚
🔮 Fantasy
📖 248 pages
📖 13 chapters
✅ Positive, reflective narrative
✖️ Left wanting more
✖️ Might recommend
🔄 Might read again
⭐ Rating: 3/5

Thank you, Random House UK, for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Marigold Mind Laundry had many elements I typically enjoy in translated fiction, particularly its overall positive and reflective narrative. However, I struggled to connect with the characters.

My main issue stemmed from the overly detailed backstory explaining the magic system and the origins of the mind laundry. I prefer a gradual unveiling of how things work, allowing mystery and discovery to unfold as the plot progresses. Unfortunately, having everything laid out before the story really began dulled my engagement and made it harder to invest in the characters.

That said, the writing was a delight, with its thoughtful perspective on life. I appreciated how it explored the idea that we can't just erase bad moments; they are necessary to help us recognize and appreciate the good.

Perhaps this is a case of "right book, wrong time." I might revisit it in the future with a fresh perspective, and my feelings may evolve.

⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for this arc.
The idea of a magical laundromat that can cleanse hearts was an intriguing one, but the start of the story felt rushed. It felt like the author could’ve spent more time setting up Jieun’s journey by giving more focus to her parents’ story first. I haven’t finished this book because I just couldn’t connect with the writing style. Having said that, I do see how stories such as this have become popular among the readers (of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, for example). These are the kind of books that may give you answers you can’t find in real life, and they will always find the right audience.

In the few Korean translations I have read and in many KDramas too, I have found a hint of magic. A place or an object that heals, mends broken hearts, and even changes fate. I have fallen in love with that magic, with that comfort it provides me.

Marigold Mind Laundry is the latest addition to all things Korean that I love. Jieun is at the centre of this book. She is granted the power to heal and to make dreams come true. When she accidentally loses her parents, she binds herself in a cycle of million rebirths, trying to find them. During one such time, she finds herself in Marigold where she creates a laundry to soothe people’s pain. While comforting some lovely people here, she also learns to smile and live once more.

I loved this book. The characters are loveable and relatable. Their pain made me cry and I could smile when they were soothed. I found comfort in knowing that memories are what make us what we are but it’s okay to let go of pain if it stops you from moving forward. All the Korean words, that are now as familiar as our first language, spread through the book made me really happy. I could live in this town of possible and make the characters my friends. It does get philosophical but that’s part of the story.

In short, this should be on your list if you are a fan of healing fiction. Or if you also love that Korean magic feeling.🫰

I must first disclose that I couldn't bring myself to finish this book. The main reason is that this is another (!!!) book in the now mindnumbing genre of an author stuffing tearjerking stories into a meta narrative with some aspect of magical realism. There are just too many, of which I actually read Goodnight Tokyo, The Full Moon Coffee Shop, We'll Prescribe You a Cat, and, of course, Before the Coffee Gets Cold, and its frivolous sequels.

Honestly - all these books are the same book, there is nothing meaningful to distinguish between them, and the fact that this meaningless writing keeps getting published makes me start losing faith in contemporary literature and modern publishing.

If you are a reader who enjoyed the books I mention above, you might indeed enjoy this one too. However, I can't personally recommend it to anyone.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.