DallerGut Dream Department Store

FOYLES TRANSLATED BOOK OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER 2023

The first book of Miye Lee's whimsical and moving duology, translated from the Korean language by Sandy Joosun Lee.

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 the store 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.

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 Dallergut Dream Department Store published entirely funded through a crowdfunding service in Korea in 2020 and has since drawn many enthusiastic responses and favourable reviews.

About the Translator

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).

Reviews

"These days I'm reading a book called DallerGut Dream Department Store and when they talk about the dream department store I can see it in my head. I imagine I'm shopping there as I read." —Wonwoo, member of the K-Pop group Seventeen

"The writer of this novel must be brilliant, because this world was so creative. You need to read this too!" —Yugyeom, member of the K-Pop group Got7

"A charming foray into the land of sleep. This is an excellent choice for a gentle book club read." ―Library Journal

"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

Dimensions: 12.9 x 2.5 x 19.7 cm