Kim Serin hears the rumours around the yearly Rainfall market and finds a book with accounts of how despair and misfortune turns to a new life upon receipt of a golden entry ticket. She writes of her misfortunes and sends this off with her last hopes. When she receives her entry ticket, sees the first rainfall, she journeys towards the market to meet the gatekeeping Dokkaebi and wondrous characters within...

The premise of this cosy magical story is to trade misfortune for a new life, but what would you trade this for and is the grass always greener? I enjoyed the step by step exploration of the market, it reminded me slightly of goosebumps books (without the scaries) and games where you build your own adventure. A bit like a YA version of sliding doors (except you get a sneaky peak before you choose).

I love #youyeonggwang despiction of the characters, their roles and personalities. And of course there is a 😺 and mild jeopardy (as per this genre). I really enjoyed the skillful translation by #slinjung as it makes me think of how language carries cultural connections and how it's used as a device to share what is on our minds, to build a picture when we cannot see inside each others minds. 

I chose this as my first review in the Year of the 🐍 as it's common to have resolutions and wish for material belongings, success and status as part of the New Year... But what if we slow down and add another perspective here? Instead of wishing for a completely new life, could we aim for everyday joy, love and peace? 

At the end of the book, there is a short list of book club discussion questions and also the trying journey Yeong-Gwang took from writing to publication.