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deadbookishsociety's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
durrareadsstuff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Does changing mean growing?" “Probably. For better or for worse," he replied.
OKAY WOW THIS BOOK. Don't let the length fool you. Honestly I could write a whole essay on this. So many interesting themes were covered and in such a breath-takingly beautiful way. Safe to say I've highlighted a huge portion of the book.
Yunjae was diagnosed with alexithymia, a very rare condition where someone has problems to feel emotions because their amygdalae, which is shaped like an almond is smaller than usual. The story follows his journey of discovering himself and also as he tries to sort of largen his "almond".
For someone who basically doesn't have feelings, there's more depth to his personality than quite a few other people I can think of (looking at you, Mal 👀) And the CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT OH MY GOD 💥💥💥💯💯 It's just so amazing seeing him grow and all the things he went through in between—my heart 😭💓💓💓😫😭😫😭
And also, Gon and Dora—wow. Especially Gon, I mean, the way that he was pretty much polar opposites with Yunjae and yet we got to see the growth of development happen in both ways. I think I relate much more to Gon. Although, not in a child-delinquent kind of way but more of a feelings-are-so-damn-uncomfortable-must-be-nice-to-not-feel-any kind of way, you know? But reading this made me realise so much about feelings and however icky they are, they're also kind of beautiful and very much necessary.
This book is also about unlikely friendships, and how we perceive people with prejudice without even trying to understand them, to regard them with empathy. Empathy - an incredibly significant element of human relationships. And it explores what exactly does it mean by "ordinary"? I'm just rambling by this point, but definitely, definitely read it.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing and Blood
Minor: Mental illness and Grief
shybookstagramer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Kidnapping
animal cruelty/death is about a butterflyelagomes06's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Violence
courtsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
renalexis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, and Murder
changbinslemonade's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Pregnancy
denwluv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Murder
vlntnmz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
shrutislibrary's review against another edition
- 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
So do you.
So do those you love and those you hate.
No one can feel them.
You just know they are there.
This story is, in short, about a monster meeting another monster. One of the monsters is me."
Have you ever met a 'monster' and stopped to think about what made them the way they are? Or are you one of those who has always skirted past such monsters in cold deserted streets hunched up against the dusty floor, not stirring to either offer help or ask how they are?
Translated from the Korean by Joosun Lee, 'Almond' begins with our narrator Yungae retelling the events starting from his birth, his boyhood days to his early teens.
These lines from the prologue set the tone for rest of this incredibly compact, quick paced novel about a boy who feels no emotions, who is incapable of any feeling or empathy. The disease is called Alexithymia which renders Yunjae's amygdala (the 'almond' in his brain) imperceptible to human emotions like love, happiness, anger, or pain. He can't react if someone physically injures him.
Throughout his childhood, Yunjae has been prepared by his mother & later his grandma to 'normalise' his behaviour and to put on an act of showcasing emotions in everyday situations even if he feels none, in order to blend in with the kids at school.
Christened with all kinds of names like a freak, a robot, a weirdo - he is affectionately called 'monster' by his grandma. But what happens if this solid support system is uprooted by an unforeseen tragedy? Yunjae must learn to survive and adapt in a cruel and unforgiving world, navigating the dark seas of emotions all alone. In this journey of self actualisation, he will come across some unexpected friends, a lot of bullies, a monster- another monster like him that will bind them together in an inseparable bond.
'Almond' is a story replete with beautiful descriptions of Seoul set against the backdrop of changing seasons in the streets, but is also haunted by the memories of sickness & tragedies. The ending will make you feel warm, teary & hopeful in unlikely friendships and about 'monsters' who can be saved. #ipreview via @preview.app
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent