Reviews

A heartwarming story, I might say. Dua tokoh yang tumbuh di luar definisi 'normal' menurut standar masyarakat. Yoonjae yang berbeda karena biologis, dan Gon yang berbeda karena lingkungan tempat dia dibesarkan. Membaca beberapa halaman pertama tentang Yoonjae, jujur saja membuat saya mengernyit dan memiliki perasaan yang sama dengan orang-orang lain dalam buku ini, "Masa beneran ada orang seperti ini?" Saya tidak bisa membayangkan saja bagaimana seorang manusia bisa tidak memiliki emosi sama sekali karena amigdalanya kecil. Lalu, lewat Gon, saya kembali teringat dengan ucapan seorang Ibu, orang tua tunggal, yang pernah berkata, "Seorang anak itu ibarat kanvas putih. Tinggal orang tua mau membeli cat dan melukisnya seperti apa." Gon adalah definisi dari seorang anak yang kehilangan privilese, privilese yang tidak semua orang menyadarinya and take it for granted: orang tua dan lingkungan yang baik dan suportif. Dari pertemanan unik kedua remaja ini, saya rasa penulis berhasil menyampaikan pesannya yang sederhana: kalau kita memiliki cinta, dunia akan terasa menjadi tempat yang lebih indah. Klise, tapi memang benar. Meskipun narasi tentang 'perubahan' Yoonjae lewat Gon kurang mendalam, dan kisah Gon sendiri juga kurang terkulik, buku ini tetap bisa membuat saya merenungkan hal yang berkaitan dengan emosi dan hubungan antarmanusia. Last but not least, I really love what the writer said in the end of her note: Anak-anak memang mendambakan cinta, di saat yang bersamaan mereka adalah orang yang paling banyak memberikan cinta.

bluelien's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious 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

5.0

This book is so GOOD!! I loved how the story starts by painting this picture of 2 monsters meeting. But then as you read more, you learn of their stories. And sometimes things aren't what they seem. Could it be that these monsters are actually misunderstood? Maybe. This was the first time I read something like this. And I really liked how interesting the characters were. I enjoyed the first person pov, it gave the story a bit of a disturbing feeling. And the FRIENDSHIP!!! God, the friendship, so precious!

naya_jk's review against another edition

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medium-paced

5.0

So beautiful

selsabil_ben's review against another edition

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emotional 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? Yes

4.0

“I feel it,” I whispered. Whether it was grief, happiness, loneliness, pain, fear, or joy, I did not know. I just knew I felt something. A wave of nausea hit me. I wanted to throw up the disgust that was surging into me. Yet, I thought it was a wonderful experience.

mystikspiral's review against another edition

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5.0

WOAH THE LAST COUPLE OF CHAPTERS WOAHHHHHHHH like i finished reading this on the bus rn and no don’t here knows the emotions im going through right now OMG

miastrilecka's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is one of the best books. It’s written beautifully and such an intellectual and easy read at the same time. If you stumble upon this book - just start reading, I really think there will be no regrets. Books nowadays do not impress me, but “Almond” did all the magic. I’m thankful for such a wonderful peace of quality literature.

thebestofaly's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced

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

2.5

"I was just unlucky. Luck plays a huge part in all the unfairness of the world. Even more than you'd expect."

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