Author(s): Hwang Bo-reum

Novel | Korea | Translated fiction

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.

'An incredibly exciting debut novel. At once gentle and invigorating. I devoured it' Sarah Crossan

Review: Profound and healing ... a beautiful story at its heart * Book of the Month, Woman & Home *
An incredibly exciting debut novel. At once gentle and invigorating. I devoured it -- Sarah Crossan, author of Here is the Beehive
This was a word of mouth Korean sensation when it was first published and now translated into English it isn't hard to see why. This novel is both a balm for the soul and a glorious love letter to books and reading * Top Fiction Pick, iPaper *
A story that embraces its sentimentality * Observer *
Quirky... It's a tale about community and finding comfort in the small things * Monocle *
A real love letter to reading... wonderful * Good Housekeeping *
Delightful, reflective and heart-warming ... we challenge you not to fall in love with it * Woman's Weekly *
All readers who love books about books will fall in love with this charming story * Prima *
This is a love letter to bookshops and to the people who find solace among their shelves ... An absolutely charming novel that all bookworms will adore * Red *
Reader Reviews:
'Love love love this book! Cosy, heart warming, wholesome...Will be recommending this to everyone. It makes me smile when I think about it!'
'Such a beautiful book, I adored the story and characters, The writing style was gorgeous. 100% recommend.'
'A love letter to books, bookshops and all who love them'
'Such a warm and cosy read! Was completely here for it...and the appreciation for books was magical'
'A heart-warming cosy read that makes you think about how important it is to be happy, and that we can all find a place to call 'home'.'

Author Biography: HWANG BO-REUM studied Computer Science and worked as a software engineer in Seoul, before leaving to become a writer. She is the author of several essay collections; I Read Every Day, I Tried Kickboxing for the First Time and This Distance is Perfect. Welcome to The Hyunam-dong Bookshop is her first novel, and was a bestseller in South Korea. SHANNA TAN is a Singaporean translator working from Korean, Chinese and Japanese into English. She was selected for two emerging literary translator mentorships in 2022, where she was mentored by Anton Hur and Julia Sanches. Her prose translations have appeared in The Southern Review, The Common, Azalea: Journal of Korean Literature & Culture and more.