Confused the hell out of me, but a sweet and heart wrenching story none the less. Plus, look at that cover!

Title: A Heartwarming and Enchanting Tale

Review: "Marigold Mind Laundry" by Jungeun Yun is a beautifully written and imaginative story that captivated me from the very beginning. The concept of a magical laundromat that erases painful memories is both unique and thought-provoking. The characters are well-developed and their individual stories are touching and relatable. Jungeun Yun's writing is poetic and filled with emotional depth, making it easy to connect with the characters and their journeys.

The translation by Shannan Tan is excellent, capturing the essence of the original text while making it accessible to a wider audience. The book's themes of healing, hope, and the power of memories are conveyed with sensitivity and grace. I highly recommend "Marigold Mind Laundry" to anyone looking for a heartwarming and inspiring read.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book!

I am always looking to add books in translation to my to be read pile so I was delighted to find the Marigold Mind Laundry. I really liked the five stories of the people who share their troubles with Jieun, and how her own journey intersects with theirs. Magical realism can be hit or miss for me, and while this wasn't my favourite of the genre, I was glad I read it.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC copy of this book!

How can I begin to describe how much I liked this book? I guess I'll start with the feelings it made me feel. I had a lot of nostalgia and happiness throughout the book, but I also felt like my heart and mind were struggling to understand my own feelings as I considered my own life compared to what was being talked about in the book.

This book is filled with positivity and motivation to keep living when you are not sure if you're living the right way. It kind of acts as a mental guide for the person who is going through a difficult time or trying to overcome a past memory that hurt them. I feel like it's specially good for people who are struggling in life even a little bit but people who are content with their lives can also enjoy it.

My favorite aspect about this book is how the magical realism blends with the characters and makes them work smoothly in favor of the story. I think magical realism has that awkward line or paragraph where characters realize something "not-normal-or-possible" is happening, but in this story that is not the case (or at least I didn't find it.)

Overall, I enjoyed the book a lot. The only reason why I gave it 4 stars was because it took me a bit to get into the story, but that might be my personal reading style and struggles that affected it.

I loved this book and was enthralled with the writing. I loved the character study. Would read more from the author!

I liked the idea of the story more than the execution. There’s an amount of whimsy and coziness I really enjoyed. My main complaint is that it’s a somewhat shallow dive, I didn’t feel like I really got to know any of the characters particularly well. If we’re going for mostly vibes, I like to understand the characters better than this.

"Perhaps the only thing we never have to work for is the morning, which comes around to greet us every day."

Thank you to NetGalley, Jungeun Yun and Random House for the E-ARC!

When a young Jieun finds out she has magic powers, she inadvertently makes her parents suddenly disappear and makes it so she can live for thousands of years without growing old. Now, in one of her many lives lived, Jieun finds herself in a small city by the sea. Here, she opens up the Marigold Mind Laundry, a place where she can help people wash away their past pains by either helping them remove some weight from their shoulders, or making them forget instances of pain altogether.

I really enjoyed this story, the writing / translation giving it a very magical feeling. Throughout the book, you get to explore Jieun as she discovers more about herself and her past, while meeting new characters in almost every chapter.

The stories shared by the additional characters in this book were really well written, and helps remind you that everyone goes through tough times in their lives, even when it may not seem like it. Whether someone is outwardly friendly, shy, or always smiling, that doesn't always indicate their true feelings. The book emphasizes many times that even though sometimes life seems filled with darkness, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

I would highly recommend this book be picked up, but please make sure if you do, you're in a proper state of mind for it, as it does deal with some heavy topics.

Thank you Random House for the ARC! I really enjoyed this novel. *Marigold Mind Laundry* is a cozy, healing tale about Jieun, a young woman with mysterious powers who runs a magical laundromat that can wash away people’s painful memories. As she helps her customers—a filmmaker, an influencer, a betrayed mother, a heartbroken lover, and a hidden artist—she transfers their sadness into stains that bloom into flower petals, symbolizing renewal. Through her interactions, Jieun learns that healing is a power we all carry within us. This gentle, enchanting story offers a sense of warmth and hope, making it a perfect, comforting read.

(Actual: 4.25⭐) I love translated literature so much, but why do they always have to break my heart in such a beautifully crushing way (❁´◡`❁) I loved MARIGOLD MIND LAUNDRY; I love stories like this a lot, actually. As someone who has battled with depression over the course of many years, I would be lying if I said I've never thought about what it would be like to erase the trauma(s) that still plague me. I know, deep down, that doing so could potentially change who I am on a fundamental level - and I've learned to genuinely love and accept the woman I am today - but.... still. The wonder is always there. I think this book reallllly straddles the fine line between being a whimsical/"cutesy" magical realism shenanigans type of story versus a far more somber, bittersweet one about love, loneliness, and the lengths we sometimes must go in order to learn how to honestly let go and heal. I will say that the beginning of MML was slightly clunky and confusing for me, and this fact may deter others from pushing through.... but please do! Because once it really gets going into the individual stories/arcs of the people who stop by the laundry mat, I was *IN* and really enjoyed it (even if some parts did hit perhaps a bit too close to home). Some of the ~life lessons~ did feel a bit heavy-handed, but that may also be a translation issue in order to ensure the author's intent was properly conveyed, so I really didn't mind. I further appreciated all of the many cultural references littered throughout and am glad those were retained in full, even if I did have to look up the importance of some of them, I'm always happy to learn something new! Overall I found MML to be a lovely, if not bittersweet, story and would definitely recommend it out to others who enjoy translated lit and/or are looking for something unique to read!

This was originally published in Korea. Jieun is alone in life but soon creates a found family of a handful of people who all need her laundry service. Jieun does not wash just clothes; she washes pain from hearts. This book is slow and lyrical and offers a lot of inspiring thoughts. Parts of it are hard to follow since it is translated but the hope of love and peace shines through.

For lovers of "Before the Coffee Gets Cold", this is definitely for you. Imagine being able to forget any memory that broke your heart and soul simply by washing it away. This was so close to a five star read for me, but the idea that the main character holds the magic and is trying to find her family feels like it could've been a separate story line form the laundromat. I loved the characters and their individuals stories. The idea of a laundromat for memories is equally as adorable as it is fascinating. Highly recommend! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC opportunity!

I enjoyed this book, although I kept wishing for more details and explanations on Jieun's background and why she felt so drawn to this particular place/time etc. It seemed to end on an unresolved note.

Beautifully written with nice stories. The translation may have been a little off as it felt a bit too formal and stilted at times. Lots of mindfulness and stoicism ideas throughout the book though. The idea of the mind laundry is intriguing and worked well.

Welcome to the Marigold Mind Laundry, where we wash away the stains from your heart.

🪄We remove stains from the heart and mind,
🪄And erase your painful memories.
If it makes you happier,
🪄We can also iron out any creases,
And get rid of unwanted blotches
🪄We remove all types of stains.
Welcome to the Marigold Mind Laundry.

🌟Yours sincerely,
🪄The Owner

This book Marigold Mind Laundry by jungeun yun translated by Shannan Tan Is an interesting read where Jieun has the power to empathize with people ,she can erase and iron  the painful memories of people and listen to them like a friend.

jaeha(frustrated young filmmaker) ,yeonhee(woman jilted by her lover), Eunbyul ( spiraling social media influencer) ,Hae in (A talented photographer),yeonja( a mother betrayed by her husband) ,uncle yeonghui (A man with a good heart) they all come to Marigold Mind Laundry and wants to erase out the memory but also teaches Jieun and everyone that power to heal is within us.

"When winter descends on our hearts  the reason we can endure it is because of the hope that this season ,too,will pass .Hope - it can breathe life into us .or dummon death. What keeps us alive is the hope that spring will come around again ,bringing with it the blazing summer followed by the cool autumn.if we can't keep the faith ,how are we to endure life?"

This book is a perfect and must read for everyone ,it's a heart touching and a comfort read for everyone who enjoys  magic,korean food and friends
I didn't feel like I'm reading it but it feels like I'm watching them by sitting at ajumma's snack shop and enjoying kimbap (i haven't eaten this snack but enjoying watching in kdramas😉)

“Perhaps the start and end to everything is these unfathomable things called feelings.”

The Marigold Min Laundry by Jungeun Yun.
5/5 ⭐
🫧 R E V I E W 🫧
This book felt like a warm hug. One thing I love about Asian literature is how it always leaves me thinking.

This story is for the people who like character driven books. Whenever a new character’s point of view started it was like reading through a photo album. The descriptions were so visual and poetic, it not only felt like I was inside the book but also as if all the elements of the book were outside of it surrounding me.

In this book we follow multiple stories, connected by Jieun who was born with the power to heal and wish grant, who during her adolescence mistakenly made her parents disappear.

Driven by grief (and shock) her power grants her the avility to live thousands of lives in the hope of finding her parents in one of them.

One day, as she wakes up in a new life, she decides to open of a laundromat, but not the typical one, her laundromat will clean and iron other people’s feelings, wahing away all the sadness and feelings if they wish to part with them.

That’s when all the stories start to intertwine with each other, as people come to her laundromat looking to wash away the bad memories.

It’s a story about growing up, grief, letting go and how to navigate life and dreams. Is a book that may not be for everyone and a story that will come to you just when you need it.

This book made me feel the same nostalgy as The invisible life of Addie La Rue with the subtle magic of books like Family Lore and The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina, I recommed it if you have read any of those books, you might find a new favourite like I just did.

Thanks to @coloredpagesbt , @thedialpress and @yunjewrite for gifting me a copy in exchange of a honest review.

3.5 Stars
One Liner: Soothing

When a young Jieun accidentally makes her family vanish, she is determined to find them no matter how long it takes. Yet, the process takes a toll on her. One night, she creates the Marigold Mind Laundry, where people can convert their painful memories into stains on clothes and wash them away. It’s a chance to find some peace and happiness as Jieun helps them by listening to their stories. Somewhere along the way, Jieun realizes there are some lessons she too needs to learn!
The story comes in the third-person POV of multiple characters.

My Thoughts:
It certainly helps to have the right expectations when starting a book. With the current GR rating at ~3.4 stars, picking this up after two 2-star books was a gamble. However, I needed something soothing, mellow, and gentle.
In a way, the book is a bit similar to The Full Moon Coffee Shop. While I liked that one better, this did the job and eased my mind.
There are many sayings in the book; too many of them, in fact, and all of them make this read like self-help. However, the magic realism and the undercurrent melancholy prevent it from becoming a boring book.
The POV jumps are sometimes awkward, so I had to reread a sentence at a few places to follow the thoughts. Also, some dialogues are weird. Not sure if it’s due to translation or if the original was similarly written.
The episodic style (yet with a bit of interconnectedness) ensures the narrative changes often. The overarching plot doesn’t have much progress, though there are many subtle hints (which I couldn’t always decipher). Every change in the episode/ story is clearly marked with the relevant character’s name and a B&W illustration (this was a surprise).
While the book was almost 4 stars up to 85% or so, the last bit didn’t appeal much. I did guess two elements correctly but somehow the shift felt too abrupt. Though I like that the approach is realistic for the overarching plot, the other aspects lost the charm due to sudden change. Still, it does end on a hopeful note.
The found family theme is quite strong in the second half and sustains until the last page, which is a bonus.

To summarize, The Marigold Mind Laundry is a mood read that almost borders on self-help philosophical musings. While it won’t work for everyone, sometimes this is exactly what you might need.
Thank you, Jordan Forney, NetGalley, and Random House (The Dial Press), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I have some mixed feelings about this book. It reads more like poetry than a traditional story, with a lot of vivid imagery and poetic phrasing. While I can appreciate the beauty in that style, it’s not really in my usual comfort zone when it comes to reading.

I did enjoy the life lesson woven into the narrative—that part resonated with me. But the way it was written made it harder to connect with. There was a lot of unnecessary wording that, for me, bogged down the message.

Overall, while it’s not my preferred style, I can see how others might appreciate it for its poetic nature. If you enjoy lyrical writing and abstract storytelling, this could be a good fit.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Random House Publishing Group - Random House | The Dial Press and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cool concept and story, but something just felt disjointed for me. I felt like I couldn't quite sink into it. Could totally be a "me" problem!

This book reminded me of The Full Moon Coffee Shop! It has that same cozy mystery/magical realism vibe! I highly recommend it!

When I began reading Marigold Mind Laundry, I expected a cozy and inspiring story similar to books such as The Full Moon Coffee Shop. In fact, the book did follow a similar formula, in having a series of characters visit the Mind Laundry to heal from various traumas and regrets. However, I felt that most of the character’s stories were lacking depth, and the writing style in general was rather detached.

The book began with a prologue which wasn’t the easiest of reads, where a girl who comes to be known as Jieun discovers that she has the magical powers to both heal people and have wishes come true. The same night that she learns this, she accidentally wishes her parents away, and has to live a million lives trying to find them again. I’m not sure if this prologue felt so strange and disjointed due to the translation or the original writing, but it felt like I was reading the outline of a prologue rather than fully flushed out writing, and I didn’t fully understand the town of magical powers because it was explained rather poorly. However, perhaps that was intentional because the town was dream-like and surreal. I’m not sure, but it just didn’t work for me.

As I continued reading, the book became easier to read, but I just wasn’t really impressed with any of the characters. Jieun’s idea was to use her potentially last life to help others heal by opening a laundry mat which cleansed the soul. The book followed a series of characters who visited the laundry mat and needed events erased from their lives. It felt like the author tried to think of a diverse set of characters, but it just fell a bit flat, and each character’s introduction just felt rushed.

Toward the end of the book, there was a lot of self-reflection on Jieun’s part. She comes to the conclusion that she needs to live life for the present to be happy instead of being so obsessed over the past, and it’s a sweet premise, but does go on for quite a while. There’s also some sweet reflection on what it means to create a family from friends. For reader’s that enjoy reflection and reminders to live life to the fullest and help others, I think this could be a pleasant book to read. Personally, I’ve just read too many similar books, and while the book had potential, it ended up a bit too formulaic and basic for me.