By Kim Ho-Yeon
In this million-copy international bestseller from Korea, the owner of a corner store takes in an unhoused man who does a good deed.
The owner is a kind soul whose presence transforms the whole neighbourhood. This is a heartwarming tale of community and redemption, reminiscent of the bestselling novels of Matt Haig and Gabrielle Zevin.
Dok-go lives in Seoul Station. He cannot remember his past. The only thing he knows for certain is that he could really use a drink. One day, he finds a lost wallet filled with documents. This discovery drastically changes his life.
Saving the convenience store from a robber
Mrs Yeom is a retired history teacher and the current owner of her neighborhood’s corner store. She feels distraught over the loss of her purse. Relief comes when she receives a mysterious call from the person who found it. To thank this down-on-his-luck stranger, she offers him a free meal from the convenience store. When she sees the joy the food brings him, Mrs Yeom impulsively invites him to stop by for lunch every day.
In a twist of fate, Dok-go saves the store from a robber. This brave act motivates Mrs Yeom to offer the bear-like man a job working the night shift. She does so despite the objections of her wary employees.
The store’s new employee quickly wins over the quirky denizens of the neighbourhood. He becomes a welcoming ear and a source of advice for his coworkers and neighbours facing problems. He also helps his new boss save the store from financial ruin. However, just when things are looking up for Dok-go, trouble brews. Mrs Yeom’s good-for-nothing son, eager to sell the store, hires a detective to dig into the mysterious man’s past. He wants to uncover what Dok-go seems to be trying so hard to forget.
The Second Chance Convenience Store is a moving and joyful story. It celebrates a woman fighting for her community and a man who has lost everything except the will to try again.
About the author
Kim Ho-yeon has worked as a novelist, playwright and comic book writer. Considered a complete storyteller, he won the 9th Segye Literary Prize (offered by the Segye Ilbo newspaper) in 2013, and in 2021, was awarded Yes24 Book of the Year and Millie Audiobook of the Year. His work stands out for the humanity conveyed by his characters, always inspiring and for stories that remind us of our own lives. He lives in Seoul.
- Publisher | Pan Macmillan South Africa |
- ISBN | 9781035032891 |
- Recommended Retail Price | R465.00 |
- CLASSIFICATION | Novel |