Marigold Mind Laundry

By Jungeun Yun and Jungeun Yun

Book Overview

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

In this enchanting tale--a blockbuster bestseller in Korea--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.

Born with mysterious powers she does not know how to control, young Jieun accidentally causes her family to vanish. She vows to live a million lives in search of them.

Finally, one night, she brings the Marigold Mind Laundry into existence. Its service: to remove the deepest pain from our hearts. Jieun listens while customers share their unhappy memories. As they speak, she transfers their sadness onto T-shirts as stains. After a spin in the washing machine, the stains become flower petals that soar into the air, and Jieun's customers find solace.

Five wounded souls come to Jieun for help: a frustrated young filmmaker, a spiraling social media influencer, a mother betrayed by her husband, a woman jilted by her lover, and a talented photographer who hides in the safety of a mundane job. As Jieun listens to each of their stories, she learns that the will to heal is not a rare gift, but a power we all possess--if only we are open to it.

Joyous and inspiring, The Marigold Mind Laundry offers wonderment and comfort as it teaches us to tap into the magic that lives within us all.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0593733932
• ISBN13: 9780593733936
• Release Date: October 2024
• Publisher: Dial Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Flat and superficial Korean healing fiction, just not my thing

2.5 - I have mixed feelings towards this book. The premise is interesting, and as it’s written for Korean audiences, time is not wasted explaining normal cultural expressions. There are minor things lost in translation, but they don’t seem significant. It deals a lot with depression, the importance of a positive mind set, the harmfulness of self isolation, how helping others can be easier than helping ourselves, and how it can be a struggle to grant oneself the right to be happy. However, I am not a fan of episodic healing fiction. Third person omniscient point of view does work well for some stories, but in this book it lacks seamlessness between characters and has a superficial feel. The lessons may have been meaningful, but they feel rushed and a bit heavy handed, as if short bursts of reasoning could be curative to those struggling mentally. While later the book indicates these mentally restorative effects are more due to the magic tea and the action of opening up to others, I feel it unintentionally glosses over how serious suicidal ideation can be. My medical background and experiences with close friends and family who suffer from chronic depression had me balk a bit at some of the book’s messaging. I felt the author confused at times depression and severe medical depression, but for an Korean audience that struggles with one of the highest suicide rates in the world, I feel it tries to provide hope that tomorrow can be better. The book has some bright points, but overall, didacticism isn’t a style of storytelling that appeals me. It felt a bit repetitive, heavy on overly explained symbolism, with flat characters. But it still earned (2.5) 3 stars because I see the intention of the book, and appreciate the cultural aspects of it, even if I didn’t personally appreciate its execution.

This Was OK

After reading The Dallergut Dream Department Store and loving it, I just assumed I would really connect to Marigold Mind Laundry but it didn’t hit the same. And that’s fully on me for placing the success of one author onto another, for sure. It could have something to do with something being lost in translation too. Please still give this book a go, don’t let my meh-ness dissuade you! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.