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Yeonnam-dong's Smiley Laundromat

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Yeonnam-dong's Smiley Laundromat

By: Kim Jiyun, Shanna Tan - translator
Narrated by: Winson Ting
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About this listen

*THE HEARTWARMING KOREAN BESTSELLER*

*A new book from Shanna Tan, translator of Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop*

Situated at the heart of a rapidly gentrifying district of Seoul, the Yeonnam-dong Smiley Laundromat is a place where the extraordinary stories of ordinary residents unfold.

It is already a haven of tranquility and reflection for locals, but when someone leaves a notebook behind, the laundromat becomes a place that brings people together. One by one, customers start jotting down candid diary entries, opening their hearts and inviting acts of kindness from neighbours who were once just faces in the crowd.

But there is more to the diary than first appears, and before long the laundromat's regulars are teaming up to solve a mystery and help the notebook's former owner find peace.

A heartwarming, healing debut that instantly captured the hearts of Korean readers, this is a novel about the preciousness of human relationships and the power of solidarity in a world that is increasingly cold, fast-paced and virtual.

Translated from the Korean by Shanna Tan

©2024 Kim Jiyun, Shanna Tan (P)2024 Quercus Editions Limited Asian City Life Family Life Genre Fiction Urban World Literature Heartfelt
All stars
Most relevant
I got teary eyed , a lot of things to learn about life and time. It makes you realised the importance of family

Amazing book

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Good stories that gears connected and also interesting to hear about South Korean way of thinking and culture plus the areas in Seoul.

Really enjoyable listen

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I was impressed by how quickly I was pulled into the tales of these different people. When the first part about Old Dong ended I was a bit disappointed because I wanted to continue with his story. But then I was quickly invested in the next one and, of course, we came back to all the characters as their stories collided. The whole thing was very uplifting and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A lovely change from my normal read

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I really appreciated the chapters The Umbrella in particular.

Some chapters can seem a little sappy and in other a little dramatic, but this story is told well!

Poignant and honest.

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