The Dallergut Dream Department Store

By- Miye Lee

     Another book I found at the library, a best seller from Korea. I enjoy getting books that are translated from other countries, they have a different view and style. With over 1 million copies sold it promises to be a great book.    

    The main character is Penny who is studying for an interview at the most prestigious department store. However, instead of selling products the store sells dreams to people as they sleep. Penny goes to her interview and is asked questions that she did not expect, they were not questions of what the most popular dreams were but of if dreams matter or not. She does well and is offered a job, on her first day she is told to go to all five floors and meet the manager and decide which floor she would like to work on. Each floor and manager have their own quirks and specialties, but none of them speak to her. However the first floor worker and owner are talking and Penny is listening, they are discussing possibly hiring somebody to help on the first floor. Penny said she would like to help and they agree. Penny learns a lot while working at the store, she is very observant and watches the owner sell things to customers that she would not expect. She meets different dream makers each one with their own style of dreams from nightmares that help dealing with trauma or Nicholas who makes specifically Christmas dreams. 

    I enjoyed this book very much there is good flow to the story. There is not much world building or character building however, I do not think the story needs it. The author gives us information as the main character Penny learns things, building the story and our understanding at the same time. The idea of buying dreams in a store is unique the author also does a good job to make it seem realistic, while showing toxic traits of society. 

    I would definitely recommend this book, good for bookworms and for people who only read occasionally. The book is on the shorter side not scaring away people who do not read often. The book will pull readers in, with a great story and subtext into the philosophical benefits to good sleep.