Healing after big changes, confronting the uncertainty of the future, and redefining oneself. These are some topics that “Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop” by Hwang Bo-reum discusses. Many reviewers and readers have described the book as slow-paced, warm, and healing. I feel similarly about it; let me explain why.
I spent this summer working full time on campus and going through treatment for depression. I also started to reconnect with some of my old passions, one of which was reading. During the school year, apart from classes or research, I barely had time to read books. Once I started the habit of reading again, I was looking for easy-to-digest narratives and things that would be relatable and more realistic. I was recommended “Hyunam-dong Bookshop” on a Facebook group and was willing to try it. It was a decision I did not regret.
The book tells the story of Yeongju, a middle-aged woman who opens a bookshop after quitting everything, even her marriage, to focus on her well-being and mental health. However, her story goes beyond just pursuing her dreams. Yeongju is trying to find happiness and security as she works to make her bookshop prosperous and tries not to repeat prior mistakes. Her progress is human and the story presents a realistic approach to growth. Yeongju’s story is far from romantic or cliché, and it might even feel like you are reading about a real person’s journey rather than a fictional character’s.
In addition to Yeongju’s story and growth, the book depicts the slow evolution of the characters around her, who are also trying to find their place in life. Some of them are Minjun (the bookshop’s barista who gave up on finding a standard company job), Seungwoo (Yeongjun’s favorite author, who starts to give writing seminars at the bookshop), Mincheol (a high school student who does not see value in life), and Jungsuh (a woman who quit her job and is trying to manage her emotions through knitting). These characters find the bookshop to be a refuge. The storyline does not leave any characters behind, giving each of them a proper closure by the time the book ends.
The book critically discusses some of the downfalls that have affected modern life, such as overworking, anxiety and depression, feeling a lack of purpose when everything does not go as expected, and fear of change. It includes common and relatable questions about existence and purpose, especially for those who have gone through traumatic and painful experiences. The characters in the book give one another counsel as they face similar issues or look for solutions when new problems arise. While the dialogue can feel preachy at times, the interactions within and the messages conveyed are presented slowly. This book also focuses on books, reading habits, and challenges; since the main character is a bookworm, it appeals to the reader and lover of books.
“Hyunam-dong Bookshop” is divided into several small chapters, each with a self-contained narrative that contributes to the overall story. These chapters, while adequately connected, prevent the reader from devouring the book and encourage them to take their time. This book could be read one chapter per day, which is a good option for busy college students like me or anyone else starting a habit of reading. However, this might not be the best fit for those who like to spend hours reading and getting tons of details at once, like in fantasy novels. The book also requires some knowledge of Korean culture to understand it better, such as beer culture, the complexity of Korean grammar (as if English wasn’t confusing enough already), and the social pressure on those who are not following the standards for living a “perfect” life, which is heavily emphasized in Korean culture. Despite the need for context, Hwang Bo-reum did quite a good job of writing her debut novel, and translator Shanna Tan deserves praise for appropriately adapting and translating some expressions and words into comprehensible English.
My final verdict? A solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. While it may not be a perfect book, it excels in its writing and ability to engage with topics that are very relevant to readers of our time. It's like a warm hot chocolate on a cold day or a refreshing lemonade on a summer afternoon. I highly recommend it to anyone needing a relaxing read after a long day of studying or working. The book's relatability made me feel understood, and I'm confident it will do the same for you. After all, reading can make us better people. As a passage in the book says, “To read is to see things from someone else's perspective, and that naturally leads you to stop and look out for other people, rather than chase after success in the rat race. If more people read, I think the world would become a better place.”
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.