THE #1 KOREAN BESTSELLER WITH OVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD
For fans of magical realism and the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi comes this cozy fantasy debut.
What if there was a store that sold dreams? Which would you buy? And who might you become when you wake up?
In a mysterious town hidden in our collective subconscious there's a department store that sells dreams. Day and night, visitors both human and animal shuffle in to purchase their latest adventure. Each floor specializes in a specific type of dream: childhood memories, food dreams, ice skating, dreams of stardom. Flying dreams are almost always sold out. Some seek dreams of loved ones who have died.
For Penny, an enthusiastic new hire, working at Dallergut is the opportunity of a lifetime. As she uncovers the workings of this whimsical world, she bonds with a cast of unforgettable characters, including Dallergut, the flamboyant and wise owner, Babynap Rockabye, a famous dream designer, Maxim, a nightmare producer, and the many customers who dream to heal, dream to grow, and dream to flourish.
A captivating story that will leave a lingering magical feeling in readers' minds, this is the first book in a bestselling duology for anyone exhausted from the reality of their daily life.
'A charming foray into the land of sleep. This is an excellent choice for a gentle book club read.' ― Library Journal
'The writer who wrote about dreams is now achieving her dreams. A dream-like story has happened in the publishing world resulting in this becoming a bestseller after its initial e-book publication.' ― The Dong-A Ilbo
'The author who revolutionised the world of Korean fiction is also influencing and changing the broader realm of Korean literature now.' ― Maeil Business News Korea
'This book has the unique ability to evoke both tears and tranquility. A perfect read for moments of exhaustion and the yearning to escape reality, it possesses the power to mend weary hearts.' ― Insight Korea
'DallerGut Dream Department Store provides empathy and comfort to readers who have found it increasingly difficult to dream in the midst of the painful realities of life.' ― Opinion News
"A fantastical narrative."—CNN
“This delightful story transcends Penny’s experiences to be about so much more. A comforting story of dreams, lives, and the ways people process all that reality offers them.”—Kirkus
“Whimsical and sweet... All things are possible in Lee's captivating world."—Shelf Awareness
"A charming foray into the land of sleep. This is an excellent choice for a gentle book club read."—Library Journal STARRED review
"A page-turning bearhug of a novel that brings the elusive technicolor world of dream beautifully to life. Like all good fantasy fiction, Miye Lee smuggles in the big issues, too: the divide between rich and poor, the unrequited yearnings of the soul, and the aching pain of loss and bereavement. There’s a tenderness to the book, and the eponymous department store, in all its Wes-Anderson-like color and frippery, that envelopes the reader, making them long to stay there forever."—Alex Howard, author of The Ghost Cat
"The author who revolutionized the world of Korean fiction is also influencing and changing the broader realm of Korean literature now."—Maeil Business News Korea
"A strong plot and intriguing storyline."—Top Class
"A magic book that captivates anyone who reads it. This book is exceptionally rare and precious, as it combines the allure of fantasy novel with popularity."—Readers News
"The Dallergut Dream Department Store resonates with and comforts those who don't even dare to dream and find themselves exhausted by the harsh realities of life."—Opinion News
"This book has the unique ability to evoke both tears and tranquility. A perfect read for moments of exhaustion and the yearning to escape reality, it possesses the power to mend weary hearts."—Insight
About the Author
MIYE LEE was born in Busan in 1990. After graduating from the Busan National University School of Materials Science and Engineering, she worked as a semiconductor engineer at Samsung Electronics. Her debut novel, The Dallergut Dream Department Store, was published entirely funded through a crowdfunding service in Korea in 2020 and has since drawn many enthusiastic responses and favorable reviews.
SANDY JOOSUN LEE is a translator and interpreter based in Seoul. Her translations include Won-pyung Sohn’s Almond (HarperVia, 2020). She also works in animation, translating and developing animated content, which includes The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021) and Star Wars: Visions (2023).
