Based on the premise of Marigold Mind Laundry, I knew that I'd be reading a bittersweet story about lessons in life. And in that sense, I loved this book. There are a lot of quoteable moments about living in the present and accepting that our past has shaped us, but doesn't need to determine our future. Yet overall, this book was frustrating to read. I know enough Korean that when a Korean word was used as a translation, I knew what the translator's intent was. It was jarring though, and in general, I didn't enjoy the translation.
Take this quote:
"By choosing to be happy, even when the days are full of thunderstorms, the gentle moonlight in our hearts can still bring about peace."

It's pretty, It's also nestled in a paragraph with a lot of general life statements about happiness, and I didn't know whether to appreciate the insight or be frustrated that I was getting preached at to be happy.

3 stars-- Overall, I liked it! Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an e-arc of this book. Marigold Mind Laundry was published in Oct 2024- On a fun side note, marigolds in Korea are especially celebrated in Oct and symbolizes a better future, a prominent theme in the book. :)

Words cannot describe how much I loved this story. The journey that Jieun went on and the lives she touched was very heartwarming. In the beginning I had no idea where the story would go after Jieun made her family disappear and spent decades trying to find her way back to them. My heart was slowly breaking for her cause wandering without those you call family leads to a very bleak existence, and for her there was no end in sight. When she decided to use her powers to help people and open the laundry mat, I loved the imagery and descriptions. For wach of the 5 people that made their way to Jieun not only did they find a way back to a happier version of themselves, they were leading Jieun back to herself as well. There were so many life lessons to be taken away from each person as they went on the journey of exploring their pasts that lead them to where they were. This was so much more than a fantasy book and I enjoyed every second of it.

I have noticed the emergence of many cozy, whimsical stories with Korean and Japanese authors, so when Marigold Mind Laundry appeared on my NetGalley dashboard, I was intrigued. I haven’t read a lot of translated books, so this is new territory for me.

Unfortunately, my interest waned around page three. The writing is overly simplistic, the revelations hollow. Perhaps the prose is lost in translation…? The only reason I’m rating 2 stars instead of 1 is because I like the premise, and this season is all about coziness and ease.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book had some great aphorisms, but I also thought it wasn't anything too unique. I wish the stories went deeper with each character, as I felt like it barely went past the surface.

Notable lines:

"It's the same with the blemishes on our heart. Once we acknowledge their presence, they're no longer stains but growth rings. Don't be afraid of life. No one knows for sure whether we'll live to see a certain day, so why think too far ahead about an unformed future? Don't fret over what lies ahead. Be present in the moment and when tomorrow comes, it'll be a brand-new day-yet another today. That's good enough."

"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 summon death . . ."

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

Thank you for the eARC! I was beyond confused for the first few chapters and it was difficult to get into the story for me. However, I was eventually able to invest myself into the sweet story. A very fast read, meant to be comforting, was not quite what I expected. I enjoyed this unique book and am always happy to broaden my reading horizons. Unfortunately, I think it may turn off some readers by how confusing the initial bits are.

I absolutely love fables and fantasy stories so I was really looking forward to this one! Overall, this was a good read. It was heartfelt, sweet, and fantastical, but at times, I felt somewhat confused with things and maybe this is due to translation or just me not being able to actively picture certain aspects. But either way, it didn’t detract from the overall arch of the story. This was a really heart-warming story that had me thinking so much.

I wanted to love Marigold Mind Laundry. The premise—a magical laundromat that transforms pain into healing flower petals—felt unique and full of promise. A story about memory, healing, and self-discovery should have been the perfect mix of enchanting and thought-provoking. Unfortunately, this one fell flat for me.

While I appreciated the message at the novel's heart—how healing is a journey we all have the power to undertake, the execution didn’t live up to its potential. The writing felt overly simplistic, and I struggled to connect with the characters and their emotional arcs. The five customers who came to Jieun for healing were meant to represent different facets of human pain, but their stories lacked depth, leaving me wanting more nuance and insight.

That said, the imagery of the Marigold Mind Laundry itself was beautiful. Turning pain into petals was a lovely metaphor, and I think this book could resonate with readers who enjoy lighter, fable-like storytelling. However, it missed the emotional impact I was hoping for.

I admire the ambition behind the story, but it ultimately didn’t work for me. I rated this one ⭐⭐ because while it had a compelling concept, the execution didn’t quite deliver.

Very cosy and highwarming whilst also being quirky. Really enjoyed it but wasn't a favourite. Will read more from this author.

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.