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kaneebli's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol and Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
yvo_about_books's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
Finished reading: June 15th 2024
"I think it’s more comfortable to live a life that you want instead of a life that would not disappoint them. Of course, it’s a pity that the closest people to you are the ones disappointed in you. But there’s no way to live your whole life according to your parents’ wishes."
WARNING: it's unpopular opinion time again!!
On paper, Welcome To The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop should have been a great fit for me. I love bookish stories, and the fact that this story is mainly set inside a bookshop and offers lots of bookish references alone should have been able to convince me. I was looking forward to more insight in Seoul life and how the bookshop influenced the characters in play... But somehow this story fell flat for me instead. I've seen this type of stories called 'healing fiction', and it might just be that this particular genre simply isn't for me. It might also be that my fickle reading mood has decided to show its face again, although it has been behaving lately... Either way, I ended up struggling considerably, and I actually contemplated DNFing more than once. There is no real plot to speak of, and no storyline to follow. Welcome To The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop reads more like a rambling journey with no clear path nor end goal, and to make things worse the pace is extremely slow. There were parts that were very repetitive, and as a result the story dragged considerably. I also felt like I never really got to know the main characters at all... I actually caught myself skimreading more than once and I kept stopping to do other things instead, which is never a good sign. I can't deny that I do like the idea behind this story and what it is trying to do, but the execution just wasn't a right fit for me. It's a shame, because I was really looking forward to this one! That said, don't give up on my account as most people do seem to enjoy their time with Welcome To The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Grief, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Gaslighting
bookbrig's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Quiet and cozy, this is like a lit fic found family? With lots of coffee details and really compelling characters. A bit abstract and slow at times, but very satisfying. I keep coming back to the characters over and over, even though there were a few times where I felt like the book was a little too slow while I was reading. This is a story that lingers, and the more I think about it the more I enjoy it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this is a comforting novel whose reading experience is akin to someone patting ur shoulders to give u strength while ranting and nodding in understanding abt how messed up the world is.
the setting and premise of ร้านหนังสือฮยูนัมดงยินดีต้อนรับ might be cliched, but hwang executes it well, filling it w/ diverse characters who are all going thru different difficult things yet naturally forming a community that supports one another . it's also insightful to learn more abt a bookstore - esp an independent, neighborhood one - is run. the novel's thematically dense yet quite accessible, delving into various topics like reading, dreams, happiness, work and work-life balance, all of which are increasingly relevant esp in the book's native south korea.
tho i have to say, bc the book's quite understated in its plot and mostly even pacing, some chapters and sections are more forgettable than others, and i wish the themes and issues that are explored were more show-not-tell instead of the current text dumps thru dialogue and convos. overall, however, this is a read that both comforts and rallies the reader, sth which i happen to need at the moment.
the setting and premise of ร้านหนังสือฮยูนัมดงยินดีต้อนรับ might be cliched, but hwang executes it well, filling it w/ diverse characters who are all going thru different difficult things yet naturally forming a community that supports one another . it's also insightful to learn more abt a bookstore - esp an independent, neighborhood one - is run. the novel's thematically dense yet quite accessible, delving into various topics like reading, dreams, happiness, work and work-life balance, all of which are increasingly relevant esp in the book's native south korea.
tho i have to say, bc the book's quite understated in its plot and mostly even pacing, some chapters and sections are more forgettable than others, and i wish the themes and issues that are explored were more show-not-tell instead of the current text dumps thru dialogue and convos. overall, however, this is a read that both comforts and rallies the reader, sth which i happen to need at the moment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
gillthequill's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think the author's note at the back of this book perfectly sums up the experience reading this book: it is a book about people, slowly, one step at a time, finding themselves and becoming better. And the comforting, cozy feeling that the realization of "this is good enough" is a valid one. It is a critique of society, critique of expectations society places on us, and challenges what exactly a "good life" is. I am glad I read this book and highly recommend anyone struggling to find their place in the world give it a shot. It left a warm feeling of hope in my chest and that in of itself is a powerful feeling.
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
sakisreads's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The feminine urge to quit my career and open my own bookshop has never been stronger 🫠
This book was truly delightful and a joy to read; I felt myself rooting for each and every character throughout. Although at around 50% it got a bit slower and slightly tiring to read, it picked up pace again shortly after and it was just LOVELY.
I noticed that this translation was blunt at times, but that I quite enjoyed the no-frills moment. Shanna Tan can translate from English into Chinese, Japanese and Korean - what a phenomenal person! 🥹
I’m giving this 4 out of 5 stars, thank you ✨
This book was truly delightful and a joy to read; I felt myself rooting for each and every character throughout. Although at around 50% it got a bit slower and slightly tiring to read, it picked up pace again shortly after and it was just LOVELY.
I noticed that this translation was blunt at times, but that I quite enjoyed the no-frills moment. Shanna Tan can translate from English into Chinese, Japanese and Korean - what a phenomenal person! 🥹
I’m giving this 4 out of 5 stars, thank you ✨
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship
yeoman014's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship
refrejarator's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was like a breath of fresh air. I've never come across a book that was actually comforting and inspiring at the same time until I read this one.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
Very very mild. Also mention of divorce which is important for the plot.anna_l's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
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