I really enjoy being able to try out translated works, and I enjoyed this cozy, magical realism story about being able to wash out the stains from someone’s heart. As a therapist, I really loved the analogy for healing and the important role of family and friends. I did feel it was a bit repetitive repetitive towards the end and slightly self help preachy

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.

The Marigold Mind Laundry is a delightfully cozy fantasy set in a neighborhood in Korea with a very special visitor. If you had the opportunity to wash away a bad memory or experience, would you want to? The diverse characters each make their own choices and find happiness in their own way.

A story about finding happiness although I didn’t understand some of the story due to cultural differences I enjoyed this book and its simple premise that happiness is needed in one’s life even if you have to struggle a bit to get it.

This book is so whimsical and beautiful. I love the idea behind the mind laundry and the cast of characters a reader can meet along the way. The magic is believable and well-explained and the ending was satisfying. Highly recommend to anyone who likes a dash of whimsy in their books.

This is an unusual book in a different style than I am used to. But it has charm and a lot to think about. An old soul (centuries) continues to live life after life, always searching for the family and the life she caused to vanish.
When she builds The Marigold Mind Laundry in her imagination and then brings it to life, people begin to come to her for help with their own regrets and sorrows. Since her very existence is magical, its no surprise that with her magic, she is able to help people lost in pain by transferring their pain to a tee shirt that she is then able to wash clean.
Along the way, you will meet five such seekers who come to the Marigold Mind Laundry. Each story is different but each one is helped. Eventually Jieun must confront her own pain. This is not exactly a parable. It’s not exactly a traditional tale and it's not a “fairy tale.” It is a charming tale that invites the reader to consider how we change when we allow someone to help.
Different, but interesting.

Marigold Mind Laundry is a translated piece of cozy, speculative Korean fiction. I think the translation is wonderful and does a great job of maintaining the author's style of prose. I think it's a cozy and healing book—the idea of a laundromat that washes away pain is just gorgeous.

Having said that, I do think that many of these cozy, speculative books hit the same beats and follow the same arc. They are—obviously—similar in themes, but even voice and the conclusions that are drawn make it so that if you read one, it feels like you've read most, if not all of them. Having said that, I would recommend this book if you've not delved into the genre yet because I do think it is wonderful and I think that it's a good introduction to the genre. Each chapter is episodic in style, creating linked chapters that don't closely follow one another. If you're a fan of this genre, I'd suggest reading this as well.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Marigold Mind Laundry follows mysterious Laundry owner Jieun as she uses her power to soothe the emotional ills of a variety of customers.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I think I was hoping for something more akin to Before the Coffee Gets Cold, with its more self-contained vignettes, than a book which centers so much on the mystical character. There was a lot here to love in terms of the cozy, heartwarming vibes, and I did ultimately enjoy Jieun's emotional journey over the course of the book. I'd love to see more of Yun's work, particularly if they venture into any other concepts as unique as a magical launderette.

This book was a fun read and reminded me of the other fiction coming out of Japan and Korea lately that focus on seeing, and experiencing, something out of the ordinary, but in an ordinary setting. It brings back the magic that comes with the simple things in life, when we just stop and focus on it.

This was such a sweet, inspirational book. The story of a magical laundromat where you can go to forget your unwanted memories.
I absolutely loved this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: "The enigmatic owner of a magical laundromat that erases people’s painful memories must learn to find her own peace before she can truly help others."

Review: Asian literature must be protected at all cost. This book is precious. Cozy, like a warm drink or a tight hug. Best to go in blind.

Perfect for lovers of A Psalm for the Wild Built.

#MarigoldMindLaundry #NetGalley

Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun was a fun, cozy and magical story that I really enjoyed reading.
A story of found family and magic.
This was a wonderfully written story.
Charming and unique. The characters are well developed and intriguing.
I found this to be highly entertaining.

Thank You NetGalley and The Dial Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I tried my best to like this one. I just found that it’s not my cup of tea. I appreciate the review copy, though.

If you could erase a memory that was holding you back, would you. This was a lovely book talking about how some things in a persons life can consume them in such a way that it stops them from living their fullest life. Throughout the book, I was thinking of my own past and thinking if I had the opportunity to remove those sadder moments, would I. It made me think deep even though the book is not dark. It goes through multiple people and tells their story of how they came to be where they are, and how the mind laundry could help them. It’s an easy to read book but still asks some bigger questions to make you think.

If you could erase any one pain/misery from your life, would you and what would it be?

This is the question this short novel asks its readers. For all you who love a good, cozy, translated work of fiction with some magical realism that pulls a little on the heart strings… add this one to the list!

It held many beautiful words of encouragement regarding life, pain, joy, courage, love, and self-worth. Some parts of the characters’ stories hit me while some of the magical realism may seem out there (hence the genre) but it does give the reader comfort and things to think on. I enjoyed seeing Jieun begin to let her walls down and let people in; the beautiful irony of her being the one to help others when ultimately they bring healing and life back to her.

Thank you so much Netgalley and The Dial Press / Random House publishers for the advanced reader copy!

I really wanted to like this one! The premise sounded so interesting and touching. Unfortunately, I mostly just felt confused. The writing style didn't work for me; feeling like it was both sparse and flowery at the same time. It made it very difficult to connect with the story.

This one really makes you think! It’s quite a beautiful story about how our bad memories can be washed from our hearts. Jieun starts a mind laundry. She listens to people and puts their painful memories on a t-shirt. These shirts then go in a washing machine so the stains turn into flower petals giving peace to their owners.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There were parts of this story that were a bit sappy and some I didn't understand but, I overall it was a very charming story about finding happiness despite our hardships in life. Good for the day you're looking for a light read with some magic tossed in. 3.5 stars.

This was an introspective read that reflects on the power of memory, and how sometimes even bad experiences can lead to something wonderful. The prose can be a bit dense at times, but once you get into the story you're swept away into the magic of it all. I think the strength of the book lies in the characters as you learn more about their backstories and motivations, as it encourages you to find your own power and enjoy the life you have.

Thank you for the ARC!

Magical realism can be a real hit or miss for me but I wanted to give this a try. The first two chapters with the actual background just goes by so fast, I actually had to read the book description again to understand that the main character kills her parents by mistake due to the different nature of her powers. I’m not sure if that was intentional or a translation issue.

The rest of the book features visitors to the laundry and their stories and lessons they learn - which was nice but a little too didactic at times.

Overall, it’s a cozy read.

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.