Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop

By: Hwang Bo-reum, Shanna Tan - translator

Narrated by: Rosa Escoda

Length: 8 hrs

Publisher's summary

WATERSTONES BEST FICTION BOOKS OF 2023 PICK

WOMAN & HOME NOVEMBER BOOK OF THE MONTH

iPaper TOP FICTION PICK

There was only one thing on her mind. 'I must start a bookshop.'

Yeongju did everything she was supposed to, go to university, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart. Burned out, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop. In a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married coffee roaster, and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju - they all have disappointments in their past. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live.

A heart-warming story about finding comfort and acceptance in your life – and the healing power of books.

©2023 Hwang Bo-reum and Shanna Tan (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

'An incredibly exciting debut novel. At once gentle and invigorating. I devoured it' Sarah Crossan, author of Here is the Beehive

'An absolutely charming novel that all bookworms will adore' Red

'A balm for the soul and a glorious love letter to books and reading' iPaper

Lovely story with interesting characters

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a feel-good book but also manages to introduce depth to the characters within the context of Korean society. The narrator was great as well. I would highly recommend.

A charming tale for book-lovers and more

If you like books which make you feel comfortable and comforted that you are not alone in the world as you strive to live an authentic life - even if it means living on the fringes of what is considered normal - then this is the book for you. A book about books and writing, the challenges of running an independent bookshops, and life in South Korea, I truly appreciated how this book encouraged readers to find meaning from one's present experience and the discovery of one's own inner compass rather than from mainstream societal values and conventional ambitions for the future. To anyone who has felt left out in life or as if they have spent their lives marching to a different drum, this is a wonderful book to let you know that it is ok to feel marginalized, to go against the grain of society, and to find a way to live life on your own terms. A lovely translation read with quiet elegance, I really enjoyed being transported into the calm, quiet world of Hyunam-dong bookshop with its host of quirky characters. Thank you.

cozy contemplations on life

if you liked the elegance of the hedgehog, this books for you! loved this. Very cozy contemplations on how we live and what living well looks like, told through the microcosm of the book shop its workers and patron’s.

Mixed feelings

Mixed feelings, but not in a bad way lol.
I was telling a friend about this book, how it felt like talking to an old friend, how it was heartwarming, and relatable, gosh it’s so relatable it hurts sometimes, and also how I had trouble sleeping thinking about the topics and situations the story casually brought up. The narrator was espetacular, great pace, great tune, loved it, loved it.
I also picked up several of the book recommendations in the story to put on my reading list haha, and I got specifically interested in Korean authors.

Amazing Story that kept me invested the whole way through!!!

Loved the characters and their relatability. Love the perspective of life the author portrays and honestly am going to try and implement some in my life. The performance by the voice over was amazing as well!

Better than anticipated

I went in to this expecting a nice, cozy read. what I got was the comfort and encouragement that I do not struggle alone and that, struggle though we might, there is hope. we can't know the future, but letting go of expectation and having the courage to experiment with what fulfills us makes the process easier - and perhaps slowly gets us closer to the elusive balance and happiness we may work so hard to find. I loved the commentary on how that journey looks different for everyone - and that's OK. not feeling aligned or not having all the answers isn't a death sentence and not following the prescribed path doesn't doom us to a meager and miserable life. this is all articulated so well and made so easily digestible through the characters and atmosphere of the book. add to that, a like mind for anyone who is passionate about reading. thanks for a lovely read, Hwang Bo-Reum - I look forward to the next one!