Reviews with content warning for Ableism - Amêndoas

Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

Amêndoas by Won-pyung Sohn

54 reviews

irisolympe's review against another edition

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0.25

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emilyharmonica's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The brilliance of this novel is how, despite the story being told through the lens of someone incapable of experiencing typical emotions, the overall effect is a highly emotional one. It’s unsettling and upsetting, yet strangely uplifting. Yunjae’s inner monologue is oddly charming as he tries to make sense of the world and of human nature without a frame of reference most people take for granted. What is “good” or “evil” without the fear most of us are born with, or without the moral compass our society instills into us? What is love, exactly, without the fear of losing the ones who are dearest to us?

I enjoyed the short “chapters” of this book, which made it quick to read through and enhanced the fragmented, almost stream-of-consciousness style of the narrative. Part of me felt like resolution of the story was way too convenient, and while I was expecting a slightly darker or more ambiguous ending, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t relieved that everyone got a happy ending, more or less.

Almond clocks in at under 300 pages, making it easy to breeze through in a day or two. This was such a unique little story, and I’m so glad I picked it up.

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arieslofi's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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lucyshucy's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

clutched my pearls for the last 20 pages

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leannj's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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vaniavela's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Yunjae, was born with a brain condition called Alexithymia , which makes it difficult for him to feel emotions.

The first few chapters of the book are engaging, getting my attention immediately. Yunjae narrates the book in first person, showing us through his eyes what it is like to have no feelings and try to live like everyone else.

This book is very dark, showing us how the main character sees his mother and grandmother being beaten and stabbed in front of him.

The characters had many flaws and came together in different ways. Likewise, I liked the pacing, but the ending felt rushed and somewhat unrealistic.

Overall, this was a great book.

TW : violence, cursing, torturing of an animal, bullying, murder, stabbing, death of loved ones, grief, ableist language.

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