If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy fantasy, then I can’t recommend DallerGut Dream Department Store enough. Given the book is about dreams, it doesn’t get any cozier than this.
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but the whole reason I picked up the book is because of its cover. It’s colourful, inviting and jumps off the shelf. I figured if I didn’t like the book, at least I would have something that looked nice. But luckily, I really enjoyed this book.
The story follows Penny and her first year working as a sales assistant at the DallerGut Dream Department Store. Penny lives in another realm where the people of our world visit in our sleep but rarely remember. There, we can visit the store where Penny works and purchase a dream to experience while we sleep. We then give up a fraction of the emotion we experience when we wake up as payment for that dream.
Lee creates a charming world with equally charming characters and portrays her in-depth thoughts and theories about dreams throughout the book. This novel is a like a series of interlinking short stories about the staff helping customers, the dreams the customers purchase, and how these dreams help the customers make sense of their lives. DallerGut, the owner of the department store, teaches Penny about the unique craft of selling dreams, and often tries to sell the dreams the customer needs rather than what the customer wants. There is a more noble cause to the department store than just making a profit and this is shown in many ways throughout.
Penny is a likable character and it’s very easy to want things to go her way. She acts as a good audience stand-in as you learn more about the store and the dreams they sell as she gains more experience working in the department store. I also find her very relatable, particularly to those in their early or mid-twenties as they start out in their first job. She must navigate learning the ropes and dealing with the different types of managers she works with.
This book was originally published in Korean but is translated into English by Sandy Joosun Lee. I enjoyed the translation and while I didn’t read this book in its original language, I felt the overall feeling of the book remained intact and the translation enhanced the story rather than just retell it in a different language. The translation gives the book a unique narrative style which I enjoyed.
Whilst this book is mostly feel-good and heartwarming, there is a chapter about loss, however, I think Lee deals with this well and I still felt positive by the end.
This book is a nice book to read before bed. It’s one of those books that can help you unwind after a busy day but is by no means boring. I found the book intriguing and enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.
If cozy fantasy is your thing, then this book is not to be missed.
MARK KIELTY 