Lee Mi-ye’s “The Dallergut Dream-Making District” takes readers on a captivating return journey to the whimsical world first introduced in “The Dallergut Dream Department Store.” This sequel expands the magical universe where dreams are commodities to be bought and sold, delving deeper into the mechanics of dream-making while exploring themes of memory, purpose, and human connection.
One year after joining the Dallergut Dream Department Store, our protagonist Penny has officially become a full-fledged employee of the dream industry. Her newfound status grants her access to the mysterious Company District, where dream production studios operate and raw dream materials are tested. What follows is a journey that transforms her understanding of dreams and their impact on people’s lives.
Expanding the Dream Universe
The strength of this sequel lies in how it builds upon the foundation laid in the first book. While “The Dallergut Dream Department Store” introduced us to the concept of a shop selling dreams and the colorful cast working there, “The Dallergut Dream-Making District” pulls back the curtain to reveal the industrial side of dreammaking.
Lee’s world-building shines as she introduces readers to:
The Company District: A hub of dream production studios accessible only by commuter train over the Dizzying Downhill
The Civil Complaint Centre: Where dissatisfied dreamers file grievances about their dreams
The Test Centre: Where dreammakers experiment with sensory components like touch, sight, and sound
The Noctiluca Laundry: A hidden sanctuary for lethargic dreamers who need respite
Each location is rendered with imagination and care, creating a seamless extension of the dream world established in the first book. The detailed descriptions of the various “ingredients” that go into dreams—from emotion powders to background chunks—make this fantasy world feel tactile and real.
Character Growth Amid Dreams
What elevates this sequel is how the characters continue to develop in meaningful ways:
Penny’s journey from novice to confident professional is handled with nuance. Her determination to reconnect with lost regular customers showcases her growth beyond mere salesmanship toward genuine empathy. Her interactions with Customer No. 792 (a blind man who fears losing his ability to see in dreams) and Customer No. 1 (a former lucid dreamer who can no longer remember her dreams) are particularly poignant.
Supporting characters receive deeper exploration as well:
Myers reveals vulnerability beneath his stoic exterior through his long-held connection to Customer No. 1
Weather demonstrates leadership during the Pyjama Festival planning
Maxim emerges from his father Atlas’s shadow to find his own purpose
Nicholas (Santa Claus) shows complexity as he grapples with his off-season purpose
The relationships between these characters feel organic and lived-in, making the dream department store community all the more engaging.
Thematic Depth: Memory, Purpose, and Connection
Where the first book established the magical premise, this sequel dives into more profound thematic territory:
The Power of Memory
The novel’s exploration of memory is its most compelling aspect. Through the Pyjama Festival’s “Memories” theme, Lee examines how memories shape identity and provide meaning. The cave of Atlas (descendant of the Second Disciple) containing crystallized memories illuminates this beautifully—showing how memories can both heal and trap us.
The novel asks: What do we choose to remember? Which memories define us? How do memories connect us to others? These questions resonate throughout multiple storylines, from the blind man’s fear of losing visual memories to the complex relationship between the Three Disciples of the Time God.
Finding Purpose in Different Seasons
Another striking theme is how characters navigate periods of transition and lethargy. The customers discovered at the Noctiluca Laundry—the retired woman questioning her purpose after raising children and the young man discouraged by repeated failures—mirror universal human experiences.
Lee writes about these struggles with compassion and insight, suggesting that periods of rest and reflection are necessary rather than wasteful. The message that “everyone has those moments” offers comfort to readers who might find themselves in similar phases of life.
A Cultural Blend of Fantasy and Reality
Lee Mi-ye deftly weaves Korean cultural elements into her fantasy world, creating a unique reading experience. The novel’s magical realism feels distinctly Korean while remaining accessible to international readers. References to traditional foods, living arrangements, and social dynamics ground the fantasy in cultural specificity.
The dream department store itself functions as a metaphor for the modern marketplace of emotions and experiences, reflecting contemporary consumerism while offering a magical alternative.
Critique: Pacing and Structure
Despite its many strengths, “The Dallergut Dream-Making District” is not without flaws. The novel’s episodic structure, while allowing for exploration of different characters and themes, sometimes affects the narrative momentum. Certain sections—particularly the Civil Complaint Centre visit and Test Centre exploration—feel overlong compared to their contribution to the central plot.
Additionally, some side characters receive less development than they deserve. Motail, for instance, remains somewhat one-dimensional despite his constant presence. The romance subplot between Penny and Maxim feels underdeveloped until the epilogue, making their connection seem sudden rather than earned.
The novel occasionally gets bogged down in explanatory passages about dream mechanics, which, while fascinating, can interrupt the emotional flow of the story. A tighter edit might have enhanced the pacing without sacrificing the world-building.
Language and Translation
Sandy Joosun Lee’s translation deserves special mention for preserving the whimsical tone of Lee Mi-ye’s prose. The dreamlike quality of the writing comes through beautifully in English, with metaphors and sensory descriptions that evoke the fantasy world while maintaining emotional clarity.
The dialogue feels natural and distinctive to each character, from Myers’ brusque responses to Nicholas’ jovial wisdom. This successful translation allows English-speaking readers to fully immerse themselves in the dream world Lee has created.
Final Thoughts: A Dream Worth Experiencing
“The Dallergut Dream-Making District” is a worthy sequel that expands on its predecessor in meaningful ways. While “The Dallergut Dream Department Store” introduced us to a magical concept, this follow-up adds emotional depth and philosophical inquiry to the fantasy framework.
The novel reminds us that dreams—whether those we experience while sleeping or the ambitions we harbor while awake—reflect our deepest desires, fears, and memories. In exploring how dreams affect different customers, Lee creates a meditation on human connection and the importance of understanding others’ perspectives.
For readers who enjoyed the first installment, this sequel offers a deeper dive into both the mechanics and meaning of the dream world. And for those new to the series, it presents an enchanting fantasy premise with surprising emotional resonance.
Like the dreamcatcher Penny crafts for Maxim in the epilogue, this novel captures both nightmares and pleasant dreams, weaving them into a tapestry that feels simultaneously fantastical and deeply human.
For Fans Of:
“The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
“The Memory Police” by Yoko Ogawa
“Strange Weather in Tokyo” by Hiromi Kawakami
“Somewhere Beyond the Sea” by TJ Klune
A charming, thoughtful fantasy that builds on its predecessor with deeper themes and expanded world-building, despite occasional pacing issues.
As I closed the final pages of this advance reader copy, I found myself lingering in that delightful space between wakefulness and dreaming—exactly where Lee Mi-ye’s writing thrives. Like one of the memory crystals adorning Atlas’s cave, this book will continue to glow in my mind, illuminating corners I hadn’t explored before. And isn’t that what the best ARCs do? They allow us to dream alongside authors before their visions become widely shared, creating a special connection between reader and story that feels as magical as the Dallergut Dream Department Store itself.