Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop: The heart-warming Korean sensation Paperback – 4 July 2024

I have decided to amend my initial review. Like many people, I am curious about the Far East. This story, set in South Korea, certainly provides interesting insights.South Korea really appears to be a very difficult country for graduates to find jobs. And a difficult country for workers at whichever point they are in their careers. They have to go through hoops despite these countries seemingly being bound by the tenets of politeness and courtesy, it would seem that managers in many companies have little or no respect for their staff.It makes me glad I graduated in the 1970sand went through civilized recruitment andinterview processes. And equally glad to have worked for decent companies.There are genuinely interesting characters,rather than token characters. Many of the characters display or 'emote' a certain world weariness, which in my opinion is to felt across the world nowadays, in 2024, not just in South Korea.There is some pretentious navel-gazing, at times, I feel, and the editor's pen should have crossed out 1 or 2 segments. (Ironic really: a lot of time is spent, in the latter stages of the story, on the art of editing.)I would not say that this is a cosy story.Rather, it is a non-threatening environment (the bookshop) which allows ideas andconcerns to unfold. To be resolved. Or not.If there is a 2nd book, as a follow-up, I am very likely to buy it. A lot of food for thought.

This story is heartwarming and comforting, a perfect escape from a busy life. Following protagonists who have found themselves at odds with their anticipated path in life; academic success and securing a 'good job' or marital happiness, this book paints a portrait of the every-day moments of triumph on the recovery from rock bottom.The situation of the story and the characters feel comfortably familiar, whilst you follow the main character on her attempt to complete something I'm sure many book readers dream of - opening her own independent book shop.I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a comfort read that examines the important relationships surround the societal expectation of success Vs success recognised on a personal level. A comfortable and engaging read without once being boring.

Though it was two days late, my book came in a perfect condition.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters and the bookshop really came to life for me and I would definitely recommend.

Simple and slow storyline but it makes me reflect on my own life. We often thought that life would get a lot easier once we did the first button properly, but what if there's no hole in the first place?

There’s something incredibly gentle and grounding about Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop. It’s not a fast-paced story, and that’s exactly why it stayed with me.The writing style is soft, thoughtful, and often reflective - like a slow walk through a quiet street where every window has a story. The characters aren’t flashy or overly dramatic, but they feel real. I found myself relating to the way they processed grief, change, and uncertainty.This book is especially good for anyone going through a life transition, or just needing a reminder that it’s okay to slow down. It gave me the same feeling I get when I visit a cosy independent bookshop - calm, nostalgic, and quietly hopeful.If you love books like Before the Coffee Gets Cold or The Cat Who Saved Books, you’ll feel right at home here. I finished it with a cup of tea just to add to the vibe.Would definitely recommend for fans of character-driven stories and emotional resets.

Good character drawing, and an excellent portrayal of Korean society.....but I found it hard going from 70% of the way through. Worth a try thought.

This is such a comforting and relaxing read that I think would resonate with so many different readers. Rather than having a storyline plot the book is more like a series of anecdotes and moments to learn from so you can dip in and out of the story really easily. However, at the same time I found it hard to put down because I just loved the characters so much. The characters are all intertwined and you end up feeling really invested in all of them. They grow and evolve with you as you're reading the book. I would highly recommend for a cosy, heart-warming read and I feel I learnt a bit more about myself from reading this book too!