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emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An interesting thought-provoking book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Violence
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional to say the least
the pacing is perfect, it makes the reading of this very enjoyable
the ending is very bittersweet and i was a bit disappointed that we don’t get more (a possible reunion with Gon? what’s up with Dora?)
the pacing is perfect, it makes the reading of this very enjoyable
the ending is very bittersweet and i was a bit disappointed that we don’t get more (a possible reunion with Gon? what’s up with Dora?)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Violence, Death of parent
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
fast-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
The tragic tale of Yunjae (Almond), a boy with Alexithymia, the inability to identify and express emotions. When Almond’s mother and grandmother are shockingly attacked, Almond’s life changes forever.
This is an excellent read. Fast paced, full of heart and the universal experience of youth. Although this is a sad story, hope is the shining key theme.
The narrative voice of Almond, detached and slightly dejected, is juxtaposed with the extreme expressions of emotions by other characters, in particular his friend Gon. This is extremely effective in drawing out the subtle character development over the course of the book.
The translation is excellent. The translator has taken liberties to make phrases feel natural to an English speaking audience.
I find the portals of Korean society to be quite realistic, but query whether a western audience would find some aspects of the story relatable. For example, when Almond sees a middle schooler viciously beaten and runs to tell a local shopkeeper, the shopkeeper doesn’t have a strong reaction. Later, when the shopkeeper finds out the identity of the middle schooler, he blames Almond for not conveying the urgency of the situation. While I think the behaviour of the shopkeeper is certainly not common in Korea and is an extreme example, as a “mind your own business” mindset is strong in Korean society, I found this character compelling.
I feel like this is a book I will revisit again and again.
"If you close your eyes first, you lose. I always won these kinds of games. Other people struggled to keep their eyes open, when I just didn't know how to close my eyes in the first place."
This is an excellent read. Fast paced, full of heart and the universal experience of youth. Although this is a sad story, hope is the shining key theme.
The narrative voice of Almond, detached and slightly dejected, is juxtaposed with the extreme expressions of emotions by other characters, in particular his friend Gon. This is extremely effective in drawing out the subtle character development over the course of the book.
The translation is excellent. The translator has taken liberties to make phrases feel natural to an English speaking audience.
I find the portals of Korean society to be quite realistic, but query whether a western audience would find some aspects of the story relatable. For example, when Almond sees a middle schooler viciously beaten and runs to tell a local shopkeeper, the shopkeeper doesn’t have a strong reaction. Later, when the shopkeeper finds out the identity of the middle schooler, he blames Almond for not conveying the urgency of the situation. While I think the behaviour of the shopkeeper is certainly not common in Korea and is an extreme example, as a “mind your own business” mindset is strong in Korean society, I found this character compelling.
I feel like this is a book I will revisit again and again.
"If you close your eyes first, you lose. I always won these kinds of games. Other people struggled to keep their eyes open, when I just didn't know how to close my eyes in the first place."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Animal death
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book follows the friendship of two boys, both affected by traumatic events, who are both lovable in their own very different ways.
An easy and heartwarming, but at times heartbreaking, read that explores the struggles of feeling either nothing at all or feeling too deeply.
An easy and heartwarming, but at times heartbreaking, read that explores the struggles of feeling either nothing at all or feeling too deeply.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Medical content, Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Drug use, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great, fast read. Enjoyed characters and the struggle. Timeline was a little hard to follow. Was worried it would be really tragic but the ending was so happy it was almost gooey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Rape
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Love is what makes a person human, as well as what makes a monster.
Almond is a deeply touching and poignant book about what it means to love, and what love means to one. Despite not understanding what love is, Yunjae shows his ability to love through the way he thinks of his grandma, the way he visits his mom, the way he eats with Dr. Shin, and the way he chooses to understand Gon. Despite having never been shown love, Gon shows how capable he is of love, how willing he is to give them if he is given the chance.
Luck plays a huge part in all the unfairness of the world. But it is also luck that brings you to meet the person that will help you understand what love is.
Almond is a deeply touching and poignant book about what it means to love, and what love means to one. Despite not understanding what love is, Yunjae shows his ability to love through the way he thinks of his grandma, the way he visits his mom, the way he eats with Dr. Shin, and the way he chooses to understand Gon. Despite having never been shown love, Gon shows how capable he is of love, how willing he is to give them if he is given the chance.
Luck plays a huge part in all the unfairness of the world. But it is also luck that brings you to meet the person that will help you understand what love is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent
Minor: Medical content
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book destroys the meaning of ratings. Every other book I've rated 5 stars looks like a selfish diary entry by comparison. This is life transcribed in a book, and yet you turn your head and it also becomes the most beautiful collection of words I've ever seen strung together. Seriously guys the writing style is so beautiful and the characters are even better please give this a chance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Chronic illness
Minor: Child abuse