The Dallergut Dream Department Store

I don’t know about you, but dreams fascinate me. We all have them, but do we ever really figure out what’s kicking around in our unconscious minds after we fall asleep?

Meet the Dallergut Dream Department Store - a place where sleepyheads visit to purchase the various dreams they have each night. In this place, nightclothes are perfectly acceptable attire, as you won’t remember having visited anyways! Five floors of dreams are available to peruse and buy as the employees, led by Mr. Dallergut, assist shoppers to find the one just right for them. Only when a dream has been experienced is payment expected in the form of whatever emotional reaction it’s evoked, be it “flutter”, “calm”, or the like, which is bottled and deposited at the bank.

In this place, dreammakers are revered in the way popular musicians or movie directors are, with five big names being held in the highest esteem: Kick Slumber, Yasnoozz Otra, Wawa Sleepland, Doje, and Babynap Rockabye. Their dreams are the most highly sought after, along with those of Saint Nicholas, whose December sales are always the highest! For example, you might be able to purchase dreams like: “Crossing the Pacific Ocean as a Killer Whale” by Kick Slumber or “Floating in Space Gazing Down on Earth” by Wawa Sleepland or “Teatime with a Historical Figure” by Doje. The possibilities are nearly endless.

Do you want to dream about your crush? Meeting a celebrity? Being the hero that saves the day? Living someone else’s life? Flying? Perhaps you’re needing inspiration for a creative project, or maybe a bad dream will help you deal with a past trauma. Dreams, both good and bad, have their purpose for those willing to experience them.

In Miye Lee’s #1 Korean bestselling debut novel, made possible through crowdfunding, she explores the topic with rich imagination through the eyes of the Dallergut Dream Department Store’s newest employee, Penny - a bright, enthusiastic young woman whose eagerness to learn and serve have quickly put her in a prominent position at the front desk with Dallergut and long-time employee Weather. Joined by floor managers Speedo, Vigo, Mogberry, and Motail, there are no unlikable characters or serious conflict, which was such a welcome breath of fresh air!

This cozy fantasy mixed with magical realism is charming, creative, surprisingly insightful and the kind of story that would beautifully lend itself to being visualized on the big screen someday. That would be my dream! 

Translated by Sandy Joosun Lee and narrated beautifully by Shannon Tyo, it’s a quick 6 ½ hour listen, and even shorter if you listen on 1.75 speed as I did. If you want a short escape from reality that just might feel like having a cozy dream, this is a sweet story to consider!

★★★ ½ (rounded to 4)

Thanks to my library and Libby for the Kindle copy and audio to enjoy.