For our first Book Salon of 2024, we will read the delightfully whimsical Korean bestseller DallerGut Dream Department Store by Mi-Ye Lee.

About the book (publisher's description):

In a mysterious town that lies hidden in our collective subconscious, there’s a quaint little store where all kinds of dreams are sold… 

Day and night, visitors both human and animal from all over the world shuffle sleepily in their pyjamas, lining up to purchase their latest adventure. Each floor in the department store sells a special kind of dream, including nostalgic dreams about your childhood, trips you’ve taken, and delicious food you’ve eaten, as well as nightmares and more mysterious dreams. 

In DallerGut Dream Department Store, we meet Penny an enthusiastic new hire; DallerGut, the flamboyant owner of the department store; Mrs. Weather, Penny’s reliable confidante; Vigo Myers, an employee in the mystery department as well as a cast of curious, funny and strange clientele who regularly visit the store. 

When one of the most coveted and expensive forms of dream payment gets stolen during Penny’s first week, we follow along with her as she tries to uncover the workings of this wonderfully whimsical world.

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.

Reviews: The Dong-A Ilbo, Sparkly Pretty Bright, The Lunar Treehouse

This event is for Asia Society Members only. How to become a member?

Attendance is free. We appreciate if you let us know that you'll be attending in the Book Salon WhatsApp group chat or via mail to [email protected].

You can fin the book at Orell Füssli, BuchHaus, and Bider & Tanner.

About Asia Society Book Salon

In the Asia Society Switzerland Book Salon, we open a direct window into Asian lives. Histories, discourses, and cultures make up the textures of novels. Together we read and discuss fiction from or about Asia in an informal setting to intentionally change our perspectives as a practice in curiosity, openness, and empathy. We meet four times a year – in person in Zurich, if possible. For more information about upcoming meetings and books to read, please join the WhatsApp group or contact us at [email protected].