#lee miye

[smokefalls]

Love starts when you recognize your feelings.

Lee Miye, The Dallergut Dream Department Store (translated by Sandy Joosun Lee)

[catedwrites]

Inspired by The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Mi Ye Lee

[nhanam]

rate xốp 1 sao vì dám rate khách 1 sao 🙄

[smokefalls]

Inspiration is a convenient word. It suggests that grand ideas might come out of nowhere, emerging across a blank slate. But in fact, a great idea hinges on how much time you spend agonizing over it, and that’s what makes all the difference: whether you spent enough time searching for the answer or not. 

Lee Miye, The Dallergut Dream Department Store (translated by Sandy Joosun Lee)

[smokefalls]

To accept your life as it is and be grateful. It’s easier said than done. But if you can do it, I believe you’ll realize that happiness is just around the corner.

Lee Miye, The Dallergut Dream Department Store (translated by Sandy Joosun Lee)

[smokefalls]

Title: The Dallergut Dream Department Store Author: Lee Miye Translator: Sandy Joosun Lee Publication Year of Translation: 2024 Publisher: Hanover Square Press Genre: fiction, magic realism

When I first heard about this novel, I was rather intrigued by the premise: a department store where you can purchase dreams? I figured there would be more to it than that, but I was taken to the idea and looked forward to picking it up. Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed by the overall execution of the novel. There was very little plot (if at all), and Lee seemed more keen on crafting a novel that was more driven by “vibes” than anything. While I’m not one to entirely hate books that aren’t as clear about what direction they’re going, I do want to go somewhere… and that just doesn’t happen in this novel. In addition to the near-absent plot, the characters were incredibly flat and underdeveloped. I think the lack of character development was what really disappointed me, because if there isn’t going to be much of a plot, at least do something interesting with the characters, especially the protagonist (Penny). I didn’t even like or dislike Penny, because there just wasn’t much to her character for me to hold onto.

There were passing moments when something interesting came up, whether it be the type of dream that was discussed or a character actually had something worthwhile to say, but none of these ever panned out in a way that left an impression on me. Furthermore, I felt that there were instances when the author was a little too flippant about serious matters that could have been addressed with more time and grace.

Overall, I think this novel might appeal to some who are looking for something that fits the “feel good” vibe (and there have been a fair number of contemporary works by Japanese and Korean authors that encompass this). However, I feel that no amount of coziness that this novel exudes can hide the fact that there’s a lot left to be desired.

Content Warning: death, grief, references to suicidal thoughts and ableism

[smokefalls]

People praised the dream, claiming it allowed them to experience true freedom. But it got me thinking about my own freedom. I can walk, run and fly in a dream unencumbered, but when I wake up to reality, I can’t do any of those things without support. Yet the whales roaming the ocean are not free on land, and the eagles soaring through the sky are not free in the ocean. Freedom comes in different shapes and forms; every living thing is granted limited freedom.

Lee Miye, The Dallergut Dream Department Store (translated by Sandy Joosun Lee)

[smokefalls]

I don’t think humans are some self-driving car, racing toward a finish line. We need to own our lives, start the engine ourselves and sometimes put on the brakes.

Lee Miye, The Dallergut Dream Department Store (translated by Sandy Joosun Lee)