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Marigold #1
Dove si riparano i ricordi
Cosa faresti se fosse possibile cancellare il tuo ricordo più doloroso?
Dalla cima della collina che sovrasta un piccolo paese della Corea spunta una casa isolata. Da fuori non ha nulla di insolito, ma al suo interno c’è una lavanderia speciale, in cui è possibile lavar via anche le macchie che portiamo sul cuore. Ji-eun, la proprietaria, è lì ad aspettare con una teiera fumante. Fa accomodare chiunque entri e gli pone la stessa domanda: hai un ricordo doloroso che vuoi cancellare? Perché lei ha il potere di farlo, bisogna solo avere il coraggio di dar voce a quella sensazione, quel sentimento che non si possono proprio dimenticare. Così Jae-ha ricorda la propria infanzia, in cui spesso si è sentito abbandonato; mentre Yeon-hee rivive una relazione che l’ha fatta soffrire. Ji-eun li ascolta con attenzione, e poi accade l’inaspettato: Jae-ha e Yeon-hee comprendono che non basta eliminare i brutti ricordi per ritrovare la felicità. Le cicatrici che quelle esperienze hanno lasciato fanno parte di loro. Ma, con il tempo, da quelle cicatrici potrebbero sbocciare dei fiori. Così Jae-ha realizza che i genitori avevano buone intenzioni e Yeon-hee torna a credere nella magia dell’amore. La stessa Ji-eun capisce che deve smettere di nascondersi in un passato che non può cambiare. Tutti escono dal negozio più forti, sereni e consapevoli. Perché a volte guarire significa accettare il dolore. Significa amarsi nonostante gli errori commessi. Bisogna sorridere anche quando gli abiti che portiamo sono macchiati, perché possono essere la tavolozza più bella del mondo.
Il primo fenomeno editoriale che arriva dalla Corea. Finalmente esce in anteprima in Italia. Mezzo milione di copie vendute, sempre al primo posto delle classifiche. Un libro rifugio a cui affidare il cuore. Ognuno ha la magia di realizzare quello che vuole. Non bisogna dubitarne, bisogna crederci.
Dalla cima della collina che sovrasta un piccolo paese della Corea spunta una casa isolata. Da fuori non ha nulla di insolito, ma al suo interno c’è una lavanderia speciale, in cui è possibile lavar via anche le macchie che portiamo sul cuore. Ji-eun, la proprietaria, è lì ad aspettare con una teiera fumante. Fa accomodare chiunque entri e gli pone la stessa domanda: hai un ricordo doloroso che vuoi cancellare? Perché lei ha il potere di farlo, bisogna solo avere il coraggio di dar voce a quella sensazione, quel sentimento che non si possono proprio dimenticare. Così Jae-ha ricorda la propria infanzia, in cui spesso si è sentito abbandonato; mentre Yeon-hee rivive una relazione che l’ha fatta soffrire. Ji-eun li ascolta con attenzione, e poi accade l’inaspettato: Jae-ha e Yeon-hee comprendono che non basta eliminare i brutti ricordi per ritrovare la felicità. Le cicatrici che quelle esperienze hanno lasciato fanno parte di loro. Ma, con il tempo, da quelle cicatrici potrebbero sbocciare dei fiori. Così Jae-ha realizza che i genitori avevano buone intenzioni e Yeon-hee torna a credere nella magia dell’amore. La stessa Ji-eun capisce che deve smettere di nascondersi in un passato che non può cambiare. Tutti escono dal negozio più forti, sereni e consapevoli. Perché a volte guarire significa accettare il dolore. Significa amarsi nonostante gli errori commessi. Bisogna sorridere anche quando gli abiti che portiamo sono macchiati, perché possono essere la tavolozza più bella del mondo.
Il primo fenomeno editoriale che arriva dalla Corea. Finalmente esce in anteprima in Italia. Mezzo milione di copie vendute, sempre al primo posto delle classifiche. Un libro rifugio a cui affidare il cuore. Ognuno ha la magia di realizzare quello che vuole. Non bisogna dubitarne, bisogna crederci.
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2023
801 people are currently reading
23940 people want to read
About the author
Yun Jung-eun
8 books96 followersYun Jung-eun is the author of more than ten books, including Live the Way You Want, Even If I Don't Know How to Be an Adult and To Travel or to Love. She believes that writing is self-reflection, a close examination of emotions; to write is to connect.
Yun hosts the podcast The Path of Books with Jungeun Yun. Her debut novel, Marigold Mind Laundry, has been a top-five bestseller in Korea, and is now available in English translation. She lives in Korea.
Associated Names:
* 윤정은 (Korean)
* Yun Jung-eun (English)
Yun hosts the podcast The Path of Books with Jungeun Yun. Her debut novel, Marigold Mind Laundry, has been a top-five bestseller in Korea, and is now available in English translation. She lives in Korea.
Associated Names:
* 윤정은 (Korean)
* Yun Jung-eun (English)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,574 reviews
November 21, 2024
not gonna lie i was confused as f*ckkk for a couple chapters but i still enjoyed it! very cutesy but heart breaking fae book
October 5, 2024
Before I started writing this review I had to go check things out and see why so many people are giving it three stars when I intend to give it the full five! I loved it and thought it was unusual and delightful. However it seems there is a lot of fiction currently being produced with this self healing theme - I just had not met any yet!
Anyway I really enjoyed this one. I was grabbed at the start by the magical realism, loved the characters especially Jieun, and could feel the atmosphere of the culture all around them. The importance of sharing food with friends was everywhere. The magic of the petals was inspired. The world building was brilliant. I guess it was a touch sentimental, maybe a little too sweet occasionally but I was too busy enjoying the characters to mind any of that.
Five solid stars and I will be looking for more by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Anyway I really enjoyed this one. I was grabbed at the start by the magical realism, loved the characters especially Jieun, and could feel the atmosphere of the culture all around them. The importance of sharing food with friends was everywhere. The magic of the petals was inspired. The world building was brilliant. I guess it was a touch sentimental, maybe a little too sweet occasionally but I was too busy enjoying the characters to mind any of that.
Five solid stars and I will be looking for more by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 24, 2024
3,5/5
September 28, 2024
Fiction meant to soothe readers and offer them a chance to retreat, however briefly, into a comforting space is a growing feature of South Korea’s literary landscape. Dubbed “K-healing” it’s a genre that’s rapidly catching on. There are increasing numbers of similar Japanese novels; and K-healing narratives are taking off with followers of translated fiction in the U.S. and U.K. A massive hit in South Korea, Jungeun Yun’s debut novel’s a prime example of this kind of “healing fiction.” Fans of the genre will recognise elements of other titles in this one: from the diverse cast of characters to the space that brings them together – often a book shop or a coffee house - here a launderette; and the guide-like yet flawed protagonist.
Jungeun Yun’s story is a blend of fantasy and reality centred on a woman known only as Jieun. Jieun was born in a mystical town bordering on the human world, as she grew, she developed special abilities. But these gifts led to her parents’ disappearance, she’s spent several lifetimes searching and grieving for them. Now Jieun may be nearing the end of her existence. She finds herself in a town called Marigold where she decides to put down roots and find a way to use her powers for good, particularly her ability to erase traumatic memories and emotions.
Jieun constructs a magical launderette inviting visitors to take part in a ritual designed to wash away their troubles: stalled careers; failed relationships. Her clients range from a former celeb influencer mired in scandal and pursued by anti-fans to a lonely deliveryman who’s never recovered from childhood bullying. Through her work, Jieun gradually forms bonds within the town. But she comes to realise these connections work both ways, slowly enabling her to come to terms with her own pain and feelings of loss.
In Korean culture marigolds stand for happiness that will definitely come, one of Jungeun Yun’s key themes. Alongside this is an emphasis on withstanding and overcoming adversity partly inspired by the author’s favourite line from poet Paul Valery, “The wind blows, I must live.” Although it has a whimsical, webtoon quality, the novel does incorporate more serious, sombre material; drawing on issues in Korean society from school bullying to challenges faced by single mothers. But, first and foremost, it’s a celebration of found family.
It’s a well-crafted piece, a decent example of what’s known in the trade as “upmarket fiction” suspended between literary and commercial. Overall, it’s very readable. I found the worldbuilding fascinating, and many of the characters sympathetic. But sometimes the “cosy” and “heartwarming” aspects were a little hard to take, tipping too much towards sentimental and syrupy for my personal taste. Jungeun Yun has a background in writing self-help books and that could be a tad obvious at times too - this is packed with homilies and stirring exhortations to treat each moment as precious. But for readers who can cope with all that, then this is well worth trying. Translated by Shanna Tan.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Doubleday
Rating: 2.5 rounded up
Jungeun Yun’s story is a blend of fantasy and reality centred on a woman known only as Jieun. Jieun was born in a mystical town bordering on the human world, as she grew, she developed special abilities. But these gifts led to her parents’ disappearance, she’s spent several lifetimes searching and grieving for them. Now Jieun may be nearing the end of her existence. She finds herself in a town called Marigold where she decides to put down roots and find a way to use her powers for good, particularly her ability to erase traumatic memories and emotions.
Jieun constructs a magical launderette inviting visitors to take part in a ritual designed to wash away their troubles: stalled careers; failed relationships. Her clients range from a former celeb influencer mired in scandal and pursued by anti-fans to a lonely deliveryman who’s never recovered from childhood bullying. Through her work, Jieun gradually forms bonds within the town. But she comes to realise these connections work both ways, slowly enabling her to come to terms with her own pain and feelings of loss.
In Korean culture marigolds stand for happiness that will definitely come, one of Jungeun Yun’s key themes. Alongside this is an emphasis on withstanding and overcoming adversity partly inspired by the author’s favourite line from poet Paul Valery, “The wind blows, I must live.” Although it has a whimsical, webtoon quality, the novel does incorporate more serious, sombre material; drawing on issues in Korean society from school bullying to challenges faced by single mothers. But, first and foremost, it’s a celebration of found family.
It’s a well-crafted piece, a decent example of what’s known in the trade as “upmarket fiction” suspended between literary and commercial. Overall, it’s very readable. I found the worldbuilding fascinating, and many of the characters sympathetic. But sometimes the “cosy” and “heartwarming” aspects were a little hard to take, tipping too much towards sentimental and syrupy for my personal taste. Jungeun Yun has a background in writing self-help books and that could be a tad obvious at times too - this is packed with homilies and stirring exhortations to treat each moment as precious. But for readers who can cope with all that, then this is well worth trying. Translated by Shanna Tan.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Doubleday
Rating: 2.5 rounded up
June 18, 2024
Bałem się, że mi się nie spodoba, ale to było urocze i… urzekające!
June 11, 2024
„Pralnia serc Marigold” to książka rozczulająca, ale nie infantylnymi rozwiązaniami, a autentycznym pięknem oraz wrażliwością. Wśród wielu komfortowych wschodnioazjatyckich książek wyróżnia się właśnie tą autentycznością i szczerymi emocjami.
To książka, która będzie idealnym wyborem dla miłośników „Kameliowego Sklepu Papierniczego”, ponieważ łączy je subtelność, a zarazem nostalgiczny charakter. Znajdziecie w nich zarówno ukojenie, jak i wiele emocji, które oddziałują nawet długo po zakończeniu lektury. Klimat niewielkiego górskiego miasteczka, nieco osobliwy, dostaje całej historii nieco magii oraz wyjątkowości. Ciepła powieść, której każdy z nas czasami potrzebuje.
To książka, która będzie idealnym wyborem dla miłośników „Kameliowego Sklepu Papierniczego”, ponieważ łączy je subtelność, a zarazem nostalgiczny charakter. Znajdziecie w nich zarówno ukojenie, jak i wiele emocji, które oddziałują nawet długo po zakończeniu lektury. Klimat niewielkiego górskiego miasteczka, nieco osobliwy, dostaje całej historii nieco magii oraz wyjątkowości. Ciepła powieść, której każdy z nas czasami potrzebuje.
July 7, 2024
dużo mądrych rzeczy tu padło, ale nie zostanie ze mną na dłużej…
ocena: 3,5.
ocena: 3,5.
August 20, 2024
Jakubie z przyszłości, daję Ci oficjalnego bana na czytanie cozy azjatyckich książek. Bo to się po prostu ostatnio zawsze kończy fiaskiem.
Mój wydawniczy umysł każe mi od razu doszukiwać się tutaj przesytu rynkowego, zbyt dużej ilości łudząco podobnych historii, ale z drugiej strony, literacka strona też się odzywa i niestety, dostrzega tutaj szalenie kiepską literaturę. W tym przyjemniutkim anturażu można odnaleźć kilka poruszających i skłaniających do przemyśleń fragmentów, ale cała reszta jest do bólu powtarzalna i sztampowa. Na dodatek, całość po prostu wyjęta z notesu jakiegoś kiepskiego filozofa. Już patrzeć nie mogłem na te kolejne patetyczne zdania o tym, jak wiele zrozumiała nasza bohaterka. I w taki sposób tworzy się ot taka wydmuszka, kompletnie oderwana od rzeczywistości, której ja po prostu nie kupuję. Totalnie rozumiem problemy, z jakimi mierzyć się mogli Ci bohaterowie, ale zupełnie nie wierzę w to, że jedna rozmowa i ta magiczna usługa pomogłyby im zmienić swoje życia o 180 stopni. No takie to wszystko na ślinę lepione.
Może i ładne, ale ja już nie chcę czytać tego typu książek i przynajmniej cieszę się, że ta lektura mi to dobitnie uświadomiła. Widzę też, że ten trend powoli się skrywa i umiera cicho szlochając i wiecie co? Dobrze. Po prostu dobrze, bo te komfortowe historie, które mają zaleczyć nasze zbłąkane i poszukujące łatwych treści powojenne i popandemiczne serca, powoli zaczną ustępować miejsca jakiemuś innemu trendowi czytelniczemu. Cholera wie, co to będzie, ale błagam, jak zobaczę kolejną magiczną budę z żarciem, w której kebab może odmienić życie (i układ trawienny), to chyba wylecę za granicę do kraju, w którym nikt nie umie ani czytać, ani pisać.
Mój wydawniczy umysł każe mi od razu doszukiwać się tutaj przesytu rynkowego, zbyt dużej ilości łudząco podobnych historii, ale z drugiej strony, literacka strona też się odzywa i niestety, dostrzega tutaj szalenie kiepską literaturę. W tym przyjemniutkim anturażu można odnaleźć kilka poruszających i skłaniających do przemyśleń fragmentów, ale cała reszta jest do bólu powtarzalna i sztampowa. Na dodatek, całość po prostu wyjęta z notesu jakiegoś kiepskiego filozofa. Już patrzeć nie mogłem na te kolejne patetyczne zdania o tym, jak wiele zrozumiała nasza bohaterka. I w taki sposób tworzy się ot taka wydmuszka, kompletnie oderwana od rzeczywistości, której ja po prostu nie kupuję. Totalnie rozumiem problemy, z jakimi mierzyć się mogli Ci bohaterowie, ale zupełnie nie wierzę w to, że jedna rozmowa i ta magiczna usługa pomogłyby im zmienić swoje życia o 180 stopni. No takie to wszystko na ślinę lepione.
Może i ładne, ale ja już nie chcę czytać tego typu książek i przynajmniej cieszę się, że ta lektura mi to dobitnie uświadomiła. Widzę też, że ten trend powoli się skrywa i umiera cicho szlochając i wiecie co? Dobrze. Po prostu dobrze, bo te komfortowe historie, które mają zaleczyć nasze zbłąkane i poszukujące łatwych treści powojenne i popandemiczne serca, powoli zaczną ustępować miejsca jakiemuś innemu trendowi czytelniczemu. Cholera wie, co to będzie, ale błagam, jak zobaczę kolejną magiczną budę z żarciem, w której kebab może odmienić życie (i układ trawienny), to chyba wylecę za granicę do kraju, w którym nikt nie umie ani czytać, ani pisać.
June 1, 2024
2.75 ⭐️
Mam z tym tytułem problem. I nie chodzi tutaj o to, że oczekiwałam płaczu w trakcie czytania, ale jego również się nie doczekałam.
Gdybym nie zmusiła się do skończenia porzuciłabym ją po 100 stronach. Realizm magiczny tak chaotyczny, że musiałam czytać stronę kilka razy. Luki w ekspozycji tworzące błędy logiczne. Kwestie dialogowe bohaterów napisane tak papierowo, że AI zrobiłoby to lepiej.
Ta książka zapewni wam skarbnicę cytatów o życiu i tak jak przy końcu były one adekwatne do emocjonalnych historii bohaterów tak na początku czułam się jakbym czytała randomowe cytaty motywacyjne rodem z Pinteresta.
Jeśli nie lubicie głównej bohaterki i macie wrażenie, że jest jej tam za mało to przeczytajcie do końca, bo okazuje się, że jest to uzasadnione.
Mam z tym tytułem problem. I nie chodzi tutaj o to, że oczekiwałam płaczu w trakcie czytania, ale jego również się nie doczekałam.
Gdybym nie zmusiła się do skończenia porzuciłabym ją po 100 stronach. Realizm magiczny tak chaotyczny, że musiałam czytać stronę kilka razy. Luki w ekspozycji tworzące błędy logiczne. Kwestie dialogowe bohaterów napisane tak papierowo, że AI zrobiłoby to lepiej.
Ta książka zapewni wam skarbnicę cytatów o życiu i tak jak przy końcu były one adekwatne do emocjonalnych historii bohaterów tak na początku czułam się jakbym czytała randomowe cytaty motywacyjne rodem z Pinteresta.
Jeśli nie lubicie głównej bohaterki i macie wrażenie, że jest jej tam za mało to przeczytajcie do końca, bo okazuje się, że jest to uzasadnione.
May 12, 2025
En ocaciones (más de lo que me gustaría) este libro se sentía como uno de autoayuda disfrazado de ficción fantástica, and that's not my tea!!!! Hubo demasiado que no funcionó para mi.
Well, you win some you lose some.
Estaba muy emocionado por este, dado que la healing fiction sea ha ido convirtiendo poco a poco en mi safe space, pero dios que triste que acabe este libro AGRADECIDO de ya no tener que leerlo.
Tuve muchos problemas con este, casi todos respecto a la ejecución de la propia historia.
1), Los elementos fantásticos dejaron de importar, porque más hacia la segunda mitad del libro la autora decidió quitarles el foco. No funciona, especialmente si ya habias pasado 100 paginas explicando el porque estos elementos eran relevantes.
2), Como mencioné arriba, este libro se leia como autoayuda. Se pierde demasiado nuance si tienes las lecciones de manera tan explicita: "si quieres dejar de ser triste haz esto. si quieres ser feliz haz esto." Hay que confiar más en los lectores!
y 3), De la nada se introduce un romance que nada que ver???
Triste de que no me haya gustado porque le traia muchuas, muchas ganas, pero al menos ya se que elementos no me gustan en este tipo de historias.
Well, you win some you lose some.
Estaba muy emocionado por este, dado que la healing fiction sea ha ido convirtiendo poco a poco en mi safe space, pero dios que triste que acabe este libro AGRADECIDO de ya no tener que leerlo.
Tuve muchos problemas con este, casi todos respecto a la ejecución de la propia historia.
1), Los elementos fantásticos dejaron de importar, porque más hacia la segunda mitad del libro la autora decidió quitarles el foco. No funciona, especialmente si ya habias pasado 100 paginas explicando el porque estos elementos eran relevantes.
2), Como mencioné arriba, este libro se leia como autoayuda. Se pierde demasiado nuance si tienes las lecciones de manera tan explicita: "si quieres dejar de ser triste haz esto. si quieres ser feliz haz esto." Hay que confiar más en los lectores!
y 3), De la nada se introduce un romance que nada que ver???
Triste de que no me haya gustado porque le traia muchuas, muchas ganas, pero al menos ya se que elementos no me gustan en este tipo de historias.
September 4, 2024
This book, a bestseller in Korea, offers a series of reflections on how to not let unhappy memories or uncomfortable feelings ruin your life. These are delivered in a cozy and magical way. The pain or wrinkles in your heart or mind are manifested on a T-shirt, which then gets washed at the Marigold Mind Laundry, where you can choose to have one of your unhappy memories erased, or just have your feelings ironed out.
So why did this cute and whimsical idea not end up working work for me?
To begin with, I have no idea if some of this can be due to translation issues or what, but the writing was very simple while the details of the story itself were often confusing. The history of the woman who runs the laundry and her magical abilities are brought up in convoluted ways, introducing new powers in a way that implies you were supposed to already know of them (most people in the special village have a power and develop it in childhood, but some don’t get one at all, but sometimes you get two powers, but should you train these chosen ones or keep the fact of their magic secret from them, and then apparently they, or maybe only one of them, it’s not clear, will live life after life and can never die and traverse time and space—-it’s a lot, and it’s not introduced in a way that’s very clear.)
Sometimes there is dialogue from a character who wasn’t even present in a scene before then, and that is the first indication that they’re all of a sudden there. We learn a lot about the emotions of the various characters who make use of the laundry without ever getting any in depth characterization. I found myself side-eyeing the lessons themselves at times, like when the laundry lady is saddened to see one character always trying to hide his sadness behind smiles and tells him it’s okay to feel the negative emotions as well as the positive ones, but then advises the next customer, “Smiling even when you’re sad tricks the brain into thinking you’re happy, give it a try”.
This book definitely has a nice premise, but the execution didn’t work for me.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the eARC.
So why did this cute and whimsical idea not end up working work for me?
To begin with, I have no idea if some of this can be due to translation issues or what, but the writing was very simple while the details of the story itself were often confusing. The history of the woman who runs the laundry and her magical abilities are brought up in convoluted ways, introducing new powers in a way that implies you were supposed to already know of them (most people in the special village have a power and develop it in childhood, but some don’t get one at all, but sometimes you get two powers, but should you train these chosen ones or keep the fact of their magic secret from them, and then apparently they, or maybe only one of them, it’s not clear, will live life after life and can never die and traverse time and space—-it’s a lot, and it’s not introduced in a way that’s very clear.)
Sometimes there is dialogue from a character who wasn’t even present in a scene before then, and that is the first indication that they’re all of a sudden there. We learn a lot about the emotions of the various characters who make use of the laundry without ever getting any in depth characterization. I found myself side-eyeing the lessons themselves at times, like when the laundry lady is saddened to see one character always trying to hide his sadness behind smiles and tells him it’s okay to feel the negative emotions as well as the positive ones, but then advises the next customer, “Smiling even when you’re sad tricks the brain into thinking you’re happy, give it a try”.
This book definitely has a nice premise, but the execution didn’t work for me.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the eARC.
June 29, 2024
Running the mind laundry had made Jieun realize one thing – today is the most special gift. No matter how many regrets you have, yesterday has passed, and tomorrow is the future that has yet to come, so what we should do is to be in the moment, to live our life today. Perhaps the present is the magic given to us.
Marigold Mind Laundry is Shanna Tan's translation of 메리골드 마음 세탁소 by 윤정은 (Jungeun Yun).
I try to read every fiction novel or story collection translated each year from Korean into English. This includes the brilliant 한강 (Han Kang), the innovative literary fiction of 황정은 (Hwang Jung-eun) and 배수아 (Bae Suah), the political polemic of writers like 황석영 (Hwang Sok-yong), and a growing amount of science-fiction, a particularly Korean take on the genre.
But a trend over the last 18 months or so has been increasing volumes of translations, one which started I think with the from-the-Japanese, which are aiming for whimsical charm. The titles alone of recent translations tell their own story - DallerGut Dream Department Store; Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop; The Healing Season of Pottery, this Marigold Mind Laundry, and (yes, two laundrettes in the same month) Yeonnam-Dong's Smiley Laundromat.
And Marigold Mind Laundry is I'm afraid the epitome of that trend. The rather thin plot has a young woman from a special forest community develop two magical powers (most only have one) - she can both comfort and heal the pain in others and make things come true by dreaming about them. Unfortunately she dreams her parents into vanishing, and then lives many lives over more than a thousand years (although the world doesn't seem to change much) in search of them.
She eventually ends up in one life where, reflecting on how she has managed trauma in the past, she establishes a magical laundry for the mind, one where people can come to have painful memories washed away.
In her past lives, on days when she’d shared in the pain of others, Jieun would return home to do her laundry and contemplate their stories. She would add the detergent and scrub until the tub was brimming with foamy bubbles. As she rinsed her clothes, any dust and dirt would be washed off together with the bubbles and soap. Then she’d give the clothes a good shake down before hanging them up, all the while thinking how great it would be if sadness and pain could be washed away as thoroughly. Gazing at the washing as it dripped water onto the ground, she felt as though the sludge of negativity in the world were drying out too.
지난 시절에 누군가의 슬픔을 듣고 위로를 건넨 날이면 지은은 집으로 돌아와 그들의 이야기를 떠올리며 빨래를 했다. 조물조물, 세제를 넣고 빨래를 주무르고 하얀 거품을 바라봤다. 빨래를 물에 헹궈낼수록 거품과 함께 옷에 묻은 먼지와 때들도 물에 흘러 내려갔다. 빨래가 끝나면 그들의 슬픔과 아픔도 깨끗이 지워지길 바라며 빨랫감을 탈탈 털어 널었다. 빨래를 걸어두고 물이 뚝뚝 떨어지는 장면을 멍하니 보고 있으면, 세상의 모든 감정의 찌꺼기들도 같이 말라가는 기분이 들었다.
And of course this leads to her to begin her own self-healing:
She was learning that every moment in life was precious and full of love. Whether it was yesterday, filled with regret; today, learning how to love herself; or tomorrow, where time might start ticking for her again. No, even if she could never break free and was destined to be stuck in the cycle of rebirths, every single moment of her life was of her own choosing and hence, she should be happy. She choked up at that thought. She pressed a palm against her chest, feeling the warmth spread.
There were days when she wished she couldn’t feel. Then she wouldn’t be in pain, nor would she be sad. If only she could wipe away the dust in her heart before putting it back into her chest, if only she could get rid of the pain and sadness. Because it wasn’t possible to remove her own heart, was this why she was born with the special power to comfort and heal the pain in others?
Or perhaps she could put emotions on pause when it seemed like the day was going to be a sad one, and to start feeling again only on happy days. But then, would she still be able to feel the pain of others?
Really not my thing, sorry.
Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the ARC.
Marigold Mind Laundry is Shanna Tan's translation of 메리골드 마음 세탁소 by 윤정은 (Jungeun Yun).
I try to read every fiction novel or story collection translated each year from Korean into English. This includes the brilliant 한강 (Han Kang), the innovative literary fiction of 황정은 (Hwang Jung-eun) and 배수아 (Bae Suah), the political polemic of writers like 황석영 (Hwang Sok-yong), and a growing amount of science-fiction, a particularly Korean take on the genre.
But a trend over the last 18 months or so has been increasing volumes of translations, one which started I think with the from-the-Japanese, which are aiming for whimsical charm. The titles alone of recent translations tell their own story - DallerGut Dream Department Store; Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop; The Healing Season of Pottery, this Marigold Mind Laundry, and (yes, two laundrettes in the same month) Yeonnam-Dong's Smiley Laundromat.
And Marigold Mind Laundry is I'm afraid the epitome of that trend. The rather thin plot has a young woman from a special forest community develop two magical powers (most only have one) - she can both comfort and heal the pain in others and make things come true by dreaming about them. Unfortunately she dreams her parents into vanishing, and then lives many lives over more than a thousand years (although the world doesn't seem to change much) in search of them.
She eventually ends up in one life where, reflecting on how she has managed trauma in the past, she establishes a magical laundry for the mind, one where people can come to have painful memories washed away.
In her past lives, on days when she’d shared in the pain of others, Jieun would return home to do her laundry and contemplate their stories. She would add the detergent and scrub until the tub was brimming with foamy bubbles. As she rinsed her clothes, any dust and dirt would be washed off together with the bubbles and soap. Then she’d give the clothes a good shake down before hanging them up, all the while thinking how great it would be if sadness and pain could be washed away as thoroughly. Gazing at the washing as it dripped water onto the ground, she felt as though the sludge of negativity in the world were drying out too.
지난 시절에 누군가의 슬픔을 듣고 위로를 건넨 날이면 지은은 집으로 돌아와 그들의 이야기를 떠올리며 빨래를 했다. 조물조물, 세제를 넣고 빨래를 주무르고 하얀 거품을 바라봤다. 빨래를 물에 헹궈낼수록 거품과 함께 옷에 묻은 먼지와 때들도 물에 흘러 내려갔다. 빨래가 끝나면 그들의 슬픔과 아픔도 깨끗이 지워지길 바라며 빨랫감을 탈탈 털어 널었다. 빨래를 걸어두고 물이 뚝뚝 떨어지는 장면을 멍하니 보고 있으면, 세상의 모든 감정의 찌꺼기들도 같이 말라가는 기분이 들었다.
And of course this leads to her to begin her own self-healing:
She was learning that every moment in life was precious and full of love. Whether it was yesterday, filled with regret; today, learning how to love herself; or tomorrow, where time might start ticking for her again. No, even if she could never break free and was destined to be stuck in the cycle of rebirths, every single moment of her life was of her own choosing and hence, she should be happy. She choked up at that thought. She pressed a palm against her chest, feeling the warmth spread.
There were days when she wished she couldn’t feel. Then she wouldn’t be in pain, nor would she be sad. If only she could wipe away the dust in her heart before putting it back into her chest, if only she could get rid of the pain and sadness. Because it wasn’t possible to remove her own heart, was this why she was born with the special power to comfort and heal the pain in others?
Or perhaps she could put emotions on pause when it seemed like the day was going to be a sad one, and to start feeling again only on happy days. But then, would she still be able to feel the pain of others?
Really not my thing, sorry.
Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the ARC.
August 16, 2024
Çok güzeldi çoook🥹❤️🩹
Yazar ânı yaşamak, aile, mutluluk, mutsuzluk, aşk, pişmanlık, umut, kan bağı olmadan aile olmak gibi konuları o kadar güzel işlemiş ki 200 sayfanın her sayfası dolu doluydu🥹🫶🏻 Yeri geldi üzüldüm yeri geldi umutlandım yeri geldi kitaptaki karakterlerle mutlu oldum🥹 Jieun’ı çok sevdim🥹 Keşke Jieun bana da çay yapıp beni dinleyebilseydi🥹 Bunun olmasını çok isterdim🥹 Diğer insanlara acılarını unutturarak yardım ederken kendi yaşadıklarını düşünmesi; hayat, ailesi ve kendisi hakkındaki sorgulamaları, içsel yolculuğu o kadar güzeldi ki… Çamaşırhaneye gelenlerle sohbetleri, onlara sorduğu sorular, kendisine sorduğu sorular o kadar kalbime dokundu ki… Kitabın içinde olmak isterdim, Jieun’ın yanında olmak isterdim🥹🫶🏻
Hem kendinizden hem hayattan bir şeyler bulabileceğiniz, kendinizi sorgulayacağınız hatta kendinizi göreceğiniz yerler vardı. Ben kitabı çok sevdim, yüreğime bu kadar dokunmasını, kendi sorunlarıma, düşüncelerime benzer şeyler bulabileceğimi düşünmemiştim 🥹❤️🩹 Genelde hangi tür kitapları okuyorsunuz bilmiyorum ama bu kitaba şans vermenizi çok isterim. Mutlaka kendinizden, hayatınızdan, çevrenizden bir şeyler bulabileceğiniz bir kitap. Tavsiye ediyorum❤️🩹 Çevirisi de çok güzeldi🫶🏻 İyi çeviri okumayı özlemiştim ilaç gibi geldi❤️🩹 2.kitabı sabırsızlıkla bekliyorum🤓
Yazar ânı yaşamak, aile, mutluluk, mutsuzluk, aşk, pişmanlık, umut, kan bağı olmadan aile olmak gibi konuları o kadar güzel işlemiş ki 200 sayfanın her sayfası dolu doluydu🥹🫶🏻 Yeri geldi üzüldüm yeri geldi umutlandım yeri geldi kitaptaki karakterlerle mutlu oldum🥹 Jieun’ı çok sevdim🥹 Keşke Jieun bana da çay yapıp beni dinleyebilseydi🥹 Bunun olmasını çok isterdim🥹 Diğer insanlara acılarını unutturarak yardım ederken kendi yaşadıklarını düşünmesi; hayat, ailesi ve kendisi hakkındaki sorgulamaları, içsel yolculuğu o kadar güzeldi ki… Çamaşırhaneye gelenlerle sohbetleri, onlara sorduğu sorular, kendisine sorduğu sorular o kadar kalbime dokundu ki… Kitabın içinde olmak isterdim, Jieun’ın yanında olmak isterdim🥹🫶🏻
Hem kendinizden hem hayattan bir şeyler bulabileceğiniz, kendinizi sorgulayacağınız hatta kendinizi göreceğiniz yerler vardı. Ben kitabı çok sevdim, yüreğime bu kadar dokunmasını, kendi sorunlarıma, düşüncelerime benzer şeyler bulabileceğimi düşünmemiştim 🥹❤️🩹 Genelde hangi tür kitapları okuyorsunuz bilmiyorum ama bu kitaba şans vermenizi çok isterim. Mutlaka kendinizden, hayatınızdan, çevrenizden bir şeyler bulabileceğiniz bir kitap. Tavsiye ediyorum❤️🩹 Çevirisi de çok güzeldi🫶🏻 İyi çeviri okumayı özlemiştim ilaç gibi geldi❤️🩹 2.kitabı sabırsızlıkla bekliyorum🤓
May 14, 2025
Marigold Mind Laundry - Jungeun Yun
3،5/5⭐️
"لا توجد كلمات يمكنها حقًا مواساة شخص يتألم من الداخل."
"في الحياة، لا شيء يدوم إلى الأبد. لا الظلمة ولا النور".
"كانت تخطط لرحلة في هذه الحياة دون أن تترك أي شيء أو أي شخص ورائها.."
"كان "جاي ها" يحب مراقبة عيون الناس. كان من السهل الكذب بالكلمات، لكن العيون دائمًا ما تنطق بالحقيقة. مثل أن يقول أحدهم "أحبك"، لكن نظراته كانت باردة. أو "أنا متعب جدًا"، لكن يمكنك أن ترى كم كان يحب الحياة. أو عندما يقول أحدهم "صدّقني" لكن لا تظهر في عينيه ذرة من الحقيقة..."
~
...
في هذه الرواية؛ تقدم سيدة غامضة وصاحبة مغسلة سحرية خدماتها في إزالة أعمق الآلام من العقول والقلوب.
رواية دافئة وتبدأ بداية جميلة وفكرتها رائعة لكنها تفقد شيئًا من زخمها خلال الطريق وتغدو عادية و لا ترقى لبدايتها وفكرتها...
3،5/5⭐️
"لا توجد كلمات يمكنها حقًا مواساة شخص يتألم من الداخل."
"في الحياة، لا شيء يدوم إلى الأبد. لا الظلمة ولا النور".
"كانت تخطط لرحلة في هذه الحياة دون أن تترك أي شيء أو أي شخص ورائها.."
"كان "جاي ها" يحب مراقبة عيون الناس. كان من السهل الكذب بالكلمات، لكن العيون دائمًا ما تنطق بالحقيقة. مثل أن يقول أحدهم "أحبك"، لكن نظراته كانت باردة. أو "أنا متعب جدًا"، لكن يمكنك أن ترى كم كان يحب الحياة. أو عندما يقول أحدهم "صدّقني" لكن لا تظهر في عينيه ذرة من الحقيقة..."
~
...
في هذه الرواية؛ تقدم سيدة غامضة وصاحبة مغسلة سحرية خدماتها في إزالة أعمق الآلام من العقول والقلوب.
رواية دافئة وتبدأ بداية جميلة وفكرتها رائعة لكنها تفقد شيئًا من زخمها خلال الطريق وتغدو عادية و لا ترقى لبدايتها وفكرتها...
October 8, 2024
An attempt to be a self-help novel like Haig's The Midnight Library, but with the wholesomeness and magical realism of Before the Coffee Gets Cold. The result is one of the clingiest books I've ever read, with many lines clearly designed to be used as motivational phone backgrounds.
June 16, 2024
Wow, literatura z Azji Wschodniej, gdzie stawia się na zdrowie psychiczne oraz szczęście jednostki, nie powinności względem rodziny i tradycje? Najlepsze zaskoczenie! A nie jedyne w tej powieści!
Ogólnie — przyjemne i fajne. Jak zwykle mam dość kołderek z Korei/Japonii, tak akurat ta była warta poznania.
Ogólnie — przyjemne i fajne. Jak zwykle mam dość kołderek z Korei/Japonii, tak akurat ta była warta poznania.
July 9, 2024
Niby nie odkrywa niczego niesamowitego, jadnak przypomina o tym co ważne. 🥹
February 16, 2025
Me da rabia, pero no me ha gustado nada. No he conectado con la historia, ni con la protagonista. Una lástima, la verdad.
February 14, 2025
3, 5 ⭐
Una novela corta que trasmite paz, buenas vibras y que al llegar al final te deja con el corazón tibio. La literatura asiática quizá es la más representativa del género feel-good, con historias que parecen simples, pero que encierran tantos sentimientos.
Si visitas el pueblito de Marigold, a la orilla del mar, es posible que te encuentres de repente con una lavandería muy especial y tengas la enorme fortuna de cruzar tu camino con Jieun y su magia. Si te ofrece una taza de té de consuelo, acéptala con una sonrisa y cuéntale de tus tristezas... puede que, en ese lugar, consigas borrar para siempre el dolor que habita en tu alma.
Una novela corta que trasmite paz, buenas vibras y que al llegar al final te deja con el corazón tibio. La literatura asiática quizá es la más representativa del género feel-good, con historias que parecen simples, pero que encierran tantos sentimientos.
Si visitas el pueblito de Marigold, a la orilla del mar, es posible que te encuentres de repente con una lavandería muy especial y tengas la enorme fortuna de cruzar tu camino con Jieun y su magia. Si te ofrece una taza de té de consuelo, acéptala con una sonrisa y cuéntale de tus tristezas... puede que, en ese lugar, consigas borrar para siempre el dolor que habita en tu alma.
December 3, 2024
Kalian pernah terbayangkan tak nak hapuskan memori kenangan silam yang pahit? Pasti ada antara kita yang memang taknak ingat langsung akan kenangan pahit yang cukup melukakan. Ada pula, kenangan pahit itu perlu disimpan sebagai kenangan kerana itulah satu-satunya kenangan yang mendewasakan kita.
Dobi Hati Marigold adalah sebuah novel fantasy-realism yang mengisahkan perjalanan seorang wanita yang bernama Ji-Eun. Ji-Eun bekerja di sebuah dobi ciptaan imaginasinya, yang kini menjadi kenyataan. Dobi ini bukanlah untuk mencuci pakaian tetapi mencuci noda di hati manusia. Bagaimana dobi ini berfungsi?
Manusia yang diselubungi kesedihan akan datang ke Dobi Hati. Mereka akan dipakaikan sehelai baju putih dan diminta untuk mengingat semua kenangan pahit yang ingin dipadam. Maka, kenangan-kenangan itu sekelip mata akan muncul di atas baju tersebut. Pelanggan akan tanggalkan baju putih yang kini bertukar noda hitam dan akan dibasuh. Apabila sampai di ampaian, perasaan terasa ringan dan lega.
Dalam hari-harinya menjalankan operasi Dobi Hati ini, Ji-Eun mencari makna dalam hidup. Ada orang terpaksa menyembunyikan kesedihan di sebalik senyuman untuk terus hidup. Kadang-kadang juga, kesedihan adalah kekuatan untuk terus hidup. Tiada kehidupan yang tiada masalah.
Gaya penulisan Yun Jung-Eun begitu juga terjemahan ini, sangat sampai dan penuh dengan refleksi diri. Dobi Hati Marigold menerima pelbagai jenis pelanggan dan kisah mereka, erti keberanian untuk menghadapi masa lalu dan yang pada akhirnya membantu diri Ji-Eun memahami kehidupan dan hubungan antara manusia.
Dobi Hati Marigold ini menggunakan latar tempat dobi sebagai metafora untuk membersihkan fikiran dan hati dari beban yang menyelubungi diri dan perasaan, bukan sahaja sekadar membersihkan baju yang kotor.
Setiap karakter yang hadir dalam Dobi Hati ini memberikan perspektif baru bagaimana mereka menghadapi luka masa lalu dan apa harapan mereka.
Kemampuan penulis mendalami emosi manusia cukup dengan cara yang sederhana namun berikan impak pada pembaca. Bagi yang mencari dan sukakan genre ‘slice of life’ dan makna hidup dalam hal-hal kecil sehari-harian, buku ni adalah pilihan yang tepat. Bacaan ringan yang dipenuhi magis dan realiti kehidupan.
Tahniah atas usaha terjemahan yang lancar Rozailina Zai dan usaha untuk menerbitkan naskhah million copiesss The Biblio Press
Dobi Hati Marigold adalah sebuah novel fantasy-realism yang mengisahkan perjalanan seorang wanita yang bernama Ji-Eun. Ji-Eun bekerja di sebuah dobi ciptaan imaginasinya, yang kini menjadi kenyataan. Dobi ini bukanlah untuk mencuci pakaian tetapi mencuci noda di hati manusia. Bagaimana dobi ini berfungsi?
Manusia yang diselubungi kesedihan akan datang ke Dobi Hati. Mereka akan dipakaikan sehelai baju putih dan diminta untuk mengingat semua kenangan pahit yang ingin dipadam. Maka, kenangan-kenangan itu sekelip mata akan muncul di atas baju tersebut. Pelanggan akan tanggalkan baju putih yang kini bertukar noda hitam dan akan dibasuh. Apabila sampai di ampaian, perasaan terasa ringan dan lega.
Dalam hari-harinya menjalankan operasi Dobi Hati ini, Ji-Eun mencari makna dalam hidup. Ada orang terpaksa menyembunyikan kesedihan di sebalik senyuman untuk terus hidup. Kadang-kadang juga, kesedihan adalah kekuatan untuk terus hidup. Tiada kehidupan yang tiada masalah.
Gaya penulisan Yun Jung-Eun begitu juga terjemahan ini, sangat sampai dan penuh dengan refleksi diri. Dobi Hati Marigold menerima pelbagai jenis pelanggan dan kisah mereka, erti keberanian untuk menghadapi masa lalu dan yang pada akhirnya membantu diri Ji-Eun memahami kehidupan dan hubungan antara manusia.
Dobi Hati Marigold ini menggunakan latar tempat dobi sebagai metafora untuk membersihkan fikiran dan hati dari beban yang menyelubungi diri dan perasaan, bukan sahaja sekadar membersihkan baju yang kotor.
Setiap karakter yang hadir dalam Dobi Hati ini memberikan perspektif baru bagaimana mereka menghadapi luka masa lalu dan apa harapan mereka.
Kemampuan penulis mendalami emosi manusia cukup dengan cara yang sederhana namun berikan impak pada pembaca. Bagi yang mencari dan sukakan genre ‘slice of life’ dan makna hidup dalam hal-hal kecil sehari-harian, buku ni adalah pilihan yang tepat. Bacaan ringan yang dipenuhi magis dan realiti kehidupan.
Tahniah atas usaha terjemahan yang lancar Rozailina Zai dan usaha untuk menerbitkan naskhah million copiesss The Biblio Press
May 13, 2024
“Günümüz Asya edebiyatı genelde hangi konular üzerine, dili nasıl?” diye sorsa yeni başlamak isteyen biri, bu kitabı bir prototip olarak gösterebilirim diye düşünüyorum (Kendi okuduklarım içinde tabii). Sıcak bir kitaptı, şöyle kendi halinizde, keyifli bir hafta sonu geçirmek isterseniz güzel bir seçim. Sevda Kul’un çevirisi zaten su gibi akıyor, altını çizdiğim cümleler de oldu. Aslında bildiğimiz nasihatler, pek farklı şeyler değil ama kendi terapistimle konuşuyormuşum gibi geldi, onun da çok benzer şeyler söylediğini fark ettim. Kapak fotoğrafı nedeniyle Hotel del Luna dizisini aklıma getirmişti kitap. Belki bir gün bunun da dizisi çekilir 🌙☀️
PS. Böyle bir çamaşırhaneyi ben müşteri olarak kullansam mutlu olur muydum, vallahi olurdum bence ya 🤭
PS 2: Çağdaş Asya edebiyatının artık farklı bir yöne evrilmesi gerektiğini düşünüyorum. Sadece Kore değil son dönem popüler Japon edebiyatında da bu böyle. Birbirinin çok benzeri konular, birbirinin çok benzeri bir dil. Edebi bir zenginlik bulamıyorum açıkcası. Bence daha iyisini yapabilirsiniz Asyalı dostlarım.
PS 3: Çeviride unnie, oppa gibi kültürel ifadelerin olduğu gibi bırakılıp çevirmen notlarıyla açıklanması tercihini çok yerinde buldum.
PS. Böyle bir çamaşırhaneyi ben müşteri olarak kullansam mutlu olur muydum, vallahi olurdum bence ya 🤭
PS 2: Çağdaş Asya edebiyatının artık farklı bir yöne evrilmesi gerektiğini düşünüyorum. Sadece Kore değil son dönem popüler Japon edebiyatında da bu böyle. Birbirinin çok benzeri konular, birbirinin çok benzeri bir dil. Edebi bir zenginlik bulamıyorum açıkcası. Bence daha iyisini yapabilirsiniz Asyalı dostlarım.
PS 3: Çeviride unnie, oppa gibi kültürel ifadelerin olduğu gibi bırakılıp çevirmen notlarıyla açıklanması tercihini çok yerinde buldum.
2024
October 9, 2025Women in Translation TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press
June 10, 2025
Marigold Mind Laundry is the first novel by best-selling Korean author, Jung-eun Yun. It was translated by Shanna Tan. The woman who calls herself Jieun arrives in the village of Marigold and finds it so lovely that she sets up a mind laundry where most encounters with customers go something like this: drink the soothing tea, put on the white T-shirt, think of the memories causing you pain, or the wrinkles you want ironed out of them, wash those memory stains out of the T-shirt, hang it up to dry. And the fee? Pay it forward to someone else having a hard time.
Jieun is not at all what she seems, having come from a peaceful place where the villagers possess wonderful powers. Naive of her own, unusually double, powers, she dreamt her parents dead, was overcome with grief, and got stuck in a relentless cycle of rebirths, in a body that would never become old. Her ability to empathise and heal, she has used many times, but has forgotten what she overheard her parents saying: that she needs to hone this power before tapping into her power to make dreams come true. Might this one be her final life?
Thirty-three-year-old Yoo Jaeha and his best friend since they were very young, Lee Yeonhee happen to witness the laundry building manifest itself from nothing, and are her first customers. Jaeha wants to lose the memories of childhood loneliness, wishing for a life reset. Yeonhee wants to remove the painful memories of her two-timing boyfriend, but not the love they shared before that.
Eunbyul is a twenty-three-year-old Instagram influencer whose promotions have backfired. After her latest suicide attempt, she finds herself in Marigold, where Jieun’s soothing tea makes her amenable to the idea of erasing her influencer memories, while her advice on making genuine friends falls on fertile ground.
Jaeha’s close friend, Hae-in, orphaned at an early age but influenced by his mother’s photography and his father’s music, strikes Jieun as a good listener. He’s not asking for anything to be erased, but rather offering her his support. She does tell him “Capture it with your eyes and keep it in your heart. True beauty can’t be preserved within a frame. Pictures are lovely, but if it’s a moment to be cherished forever, you won’t want to miss anything. Be present – wholly, unreservedly – and remember it with your heart.”
Jaeha begged Jieun to allow his mother, Ms Yeonja to visit. Her difficult childhood and single motherhood have given her a singular talent: “Because of my life experiences, I can better empathize with what others are going through” and asks only that Jieun smooth out the creases and make the memories less painful to recall”.
Bullied during his childhood, deliveryman Kim Yeonghui has become obsessive about punctuality, wearing two watches which he constantly consults. His request: “wipe away the part of me that thinks everything is my fault, that I’m only at peace if I’m being validated by others, and the obsession I have with time because of my family” and he muses “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could forecast the weather in our lives too?”
Of his talent for poetry, he observes “what really hits me is how you can always rewrite if you make a mistake. It’s easy, especially when I use a pencil. I can just erase it or cross it out. It’ll leave some marks, for sure, but they’re proof that I’ve given thought to something, and I like that” which Jieun believes has parallels in life.
Jieun herself sees that “Whenever she got the slightest taste of a happy, ordinary life, she’d flee to her next life. I don’t deserve happiness yet, she reminded herself” but comes to realise that while “She’d thought she was the one healing others, but in fact, they were also comforting her and becoming part of her life, too.”
While there is plenty of wisdom and insight about life in this little volume, it is probably best read in small doses as otherwise the overdose of life advice will lead to sentimentality fatigue. Of the many Asian magical realism self-healing books currently about, this one doesn’t stand out.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Random House UK.
Jieun is not at all what she seems, having come from a peaceful place where the villagers possess wonderful powers. Naive of her own, unusually double, powers, she dreamt her parents dead, was overcome with grief, and got stuck in a relentless cycle of rebirths, in a body that would never become old. Her ability to empathise and heal, she has used many times, but has forgotten what she overheard her parents saying: that she needs to hone this power before tapping into her power to make dreams come true. Might this one be her final life?
Thirty-three-year-old Yoo Jaeha and his best friend since they were very young, Lee Yeonhee happen to witness the laundry building manifest itself from nothing, and are her first customers. Jaeha wants to lose the memories of childhood loneliness, wishing for a life reset. Yeonhee wants to remove the painful memories of her two-timing boyfriend, but not the love they shared before that.
Eunbyul is a twenty-three-year-old Instagram influencer whose promotions have backfired. After her latest suicide attempt, she finds herself in Marigold, where Jieun’s soothing tea makes her amenable to the idea of erasing her influencer memories, while her advice on making genuine friends falls on fertile ground.
Jaeha’s close friend, Hae-in, orphaned at an early age but influenced by his mother’s photography and his father’s music, strikes Jieun as a good listener. He’s not asking for anything to be erased, but rather offering her his support. She does tell him “Capture it with your eyes and keep it in your heart. True beauty can’t be preserved within a frame. Pictures are lovely, but if it’s a moment to be cherished forever, you won’t want to miss anything. Be present – wholly, unreservedly – and remember it with your heart.”
Jaeha begged Jieun to allow his mother, Ms Yeonja to visit. Her difficult childhood and single motherhood have given her a singular talent: “Because of my life experiences, I can better empathize with what others are going through” and asks only that Jieun smooth out the creases and make the memories less painful to recall”.
Bullied during his childhood, deliveryman Kim Yeonghui has become obsessive about punctuality, wearing two watches which he constantly consults. His request: “wipe away the part of me that thinks everything is my fault, that I’m only at peace if I’m being validated by others, and the obsession I have with time because of my family” and he muses “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could forecast the weather in our lives too?”
Of his talent for poetry, he observes “what really hits me is how you can always rewrite if you make a mistake. It’s easy, especially when I use a pencil. I can just erase it or cross it out. It’ll leave some marks, for sure, but they’re proof that I’ve given thought to something, and I like that” which Jieun believes has parallels in life.
Jieun herself sees that “Whenever she got the slightest taste of a happy, ordinary life, she’d flee to her next life. I don’t deserve happiness yet, she reminded herself” but comes to realise that while “She’d thought she was the one healing others, but in fact, they were also comforting her and becoming part of her life, too.”
While there is plenty of wisdom and insight about life in this little volume, it is probably best read in small doses as otherwise the overdose of life advice will lead to sentimentality fatigue. Of the many Asian magical realism self-healing books currently about, this one doesn’t stand out.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Random House UK.
December 17, 2024
Definitely for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold! Lots of endearing stories— some I connected with and some not so much. REALLY cool concept—it was just missing something for me. However there were a lot of lines that really hit me in my heart! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
April 6, 2024
(2,5⭐️ na verdade)
o livro é bonitinho mas me passou a mesma sensação de estar ouvindo um coach me dando um discurso motivador e dizendo pra acreditar no meu potencial KKKKKK. é cheio de frases que uma conta do facebook postaria ou que alguém botaria nos storys
mas os personagens são com certeza interessantes, senti que eu era a psicóloga e eles eram meus pacientes, até porque a proposta dessa lavanderia é parecida com o processo da terapia, apesar de que na vida real a terapia é bem mais dolorosa kkkkk
no geral achei fraquinho, nao teve tanto impacto em mim. se eu tivesse lido com 14 anos ia mudar minha vida
o livro é bonitinho mas me passou a mesma sensação de estar ouvindo um coach me dando um discurso motivador e dizendo pra acreditar no meu potencial KKKKKK. é cheio de frases que uma conta do facebook postaria ou que alguém botaria nos storys
mas os personagens são com certeza interessantes, senti que eu era a psicóloga e eles eram meus pacientes, até porque a proposta dessa lavanderia é parecida com o processo da terapia, apesar de que na vida real a terapia é bem mais dolorosa kkkkk
no geral achei fraquinho, nao teve tanto impacto em mim. se eu tivesse lido com 14 anos ia mudar minha vida
March 7, 2024
Normalmente non amo questo tipo di letture ma, devo dire, questo libro mi ha piacevolmente sorpresa!
Credo che la sinossi non gli renda giustizia e probabilmente se mi fossi limitata a quella non lo avrei letto. Ho trovato molte riflessioni e spunti interessanti e la lettura è scorrevole e mai noiosa. Lo consiglio per chiunque stia cercando una lettura leggera, confortante ma non troppo banale o superficiale 🌸
Credo che la sinossi non gli renda giustizia e probabilmente se mi fossi limitata a quella non lo avrei letto. Ho trovato molte riflessioni e spunti interessanti e la lettura è scorrevole e mai noiosa. Lo consiglio per chiunque stia cercando una lettura leggera, confortante ma non troppo banale o superficiale 🌸
July 6, 2024
,,Przeżyła, bo nie potrafiła umrzeć. Teraz, gdy doszła tak daleko, naprawdę zachciało jej się żyć”.
Magiczna zdolność, reinkarnacja, klimatyczne miasteczko i w końcu nietypowa pralnia, zmywająca plamy z ludzkich serc, a do tego poruszające, boleśnie prawdziwe historie z ich żyć - to wszystko składa się na ,,Pralnię serc Marigold”.
Z początku książka ta oczarowała mnie swoim klimatem i łagodnym stylem, a koncept i bohaterowie skradli moją uwagę. Z czasem jednak przytłoczyła mnie ilość filozoficznych i motywacyjnych cytatów, a sama pozycja zaczęła mnie nudzić 😕 Momentami też nie do końca wiedziałem, co się dzieje - przeskoki w akcji są mocno intuicyjne, a ja chyba tej intuicji nie mam.
Być może problem jest po części we mnie - to kolejna przepełniona codziennością, spokojna książka i zaczynam rozumieć, że tego typu historie może niekoniecznie są dla mnie. Cieszę się jednak, że sięgnęłom po nie, spróbowałom czegoś nowego, nawet, jeśli nie skradło mi serca.
Myślę, że ta książka spodobałaby mi się bardziej, gdyby zaoferowała mi coś nowego, jednak od dawna utożsamiam się z zawartymi w niej wartościami i przemyśleniami, więc nie była dla mnie odkrywcza. Była za to przyjemna, klimatyczna i komfortowa.
To lektura idealna na jesień, długi wieczór pod kocem i z herbatą w dłoni. Nie można odmówić jej wagi i sądzę, że jeśli ktoś lubi takie lekko filozoficzne, a jednak przyziemne książki, zakocha się w ,,Pralni serc Marigold”.
⭐️2.75
Magiczna zdolność, reinkarnacja, klimatyczne miasteczko i w końcu nietypowa pralnia, zmywająca plamy z ludzkich serc, a do tego poruszające, boleśnie prawdziwe historie z ich żyć - to wszystko składa się na ,,Pralnię serc Marigold”.
Z początku książka ta oczarowała mnie swoim klimatem i łagodnym stylem, a koncept i bohaterowie skradli moją uwagę. Z czasem jednak przytłoczyła mnie ilość filozoficznych i motywacyjnych cytatów, a sama pozycja zaczęła mnie nudzić 😕 Momentami też nie do końca wiedziałem, co się dzieje - przeskoki w akcji są mocno intuicyjne, a ja chyba tej intuicji nie mam.
Być może problem jest po części we mnie - to kolejna przepełniona codziennością, spokojna książka i zaczynam rozumieć, że tego typu historie może niekoniecznie są dla mnie. Cieszę się jednak, że sięgnęłom po nie, spróbowałom czegoś nowego, nawet, jeśli nie skradło mi serca.
Myślę, że ta książka spodobałaby mi się bardziej, gdyby zaoferowała mi coś nowego, jednak od dawna utożsamiam się z zawartymi w niej wartościami i przemyśleniami, więc nie była dla mnie odkrywcza. Była za to przyjemna, klimatyczna i komfortowa.
To lektura idealna na jesień, długi wieczór pod kocem i z herbatą w dłoni. Nie można odmówić jej wagi i sądzę, że jeśli ktoś lubi takie lekko filozoficzne, a jednak przyziemne książki, zakocha się w ,,Pralni serc Marigold”.
⭐️2.75
September 28, 2024
There was lots of great advice in this book. It really made one think about what is really important in life and letting things go. Jieun has magic and has accidentally lost her parents. In her quest to find her parents she lives many lives and this last one she is determined to help others let go of their pain by washing their stains (troubles) away. Each person she meets has had troubles in their life and you feel for each character. I'll be honest that I did find the names confusing and I was a little lost at times. The book is translated and there were things l had never heard of before like some of the food. The story was interesting in parts but I felt more like I was reading a philosophy book or self help than a fiction story. It was more about the lesson than the actual story. There was also a loose thread at the end that I wish had been resolved. Overall, not a bad story but I did have trouble staying focused at times.
Thank you to Dial Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Thank you to Dial Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
March 22, 2025
Una suerte de fantasía o realismo mágico que empieza raro y termina muy abrupta para mi gusto.
Pros:
- Reflexiones lindas que te dejan pensando y se sientes como lectura comfort
- Ambientación linda
- Buen ritmo, se lee rápido
Contras:
- Conflicto inicial sin resolución
- No se me hizo fácil empatiza con la protagonista
- Final con gusto a poco
Pros:
- Reflexiones lindas que te dejan pensando y se sientes como lectura comfort
- Ambientación linda
- Buen ritmo, se lee rápido
Contras:
- Conflicto inicial sin resolución
- No se me hizo fácil empatiza con la protagonista
- Final con gusto a poco
November 12, 2024
Maybe it was just the translation, but this reads like an AI wrote it…
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