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dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Medical content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Notes:
- Good book — just not my personal style.
- Great concept and good execution, the exploration of society and exclusion especially! The detached voice of Yunjae works really well, even though that style isn't really my favourite.
- I was hoping that there would be a bit more exploration around different types of emotions through his perspective, but that's definitely more about my expectations than a fault of this book.
- 0.5 above 3 though because I thought the imagery was so tactile and I loved the way all the scenes looked in my head.
- Good book — just not my personal style.
- Great concept and good execution, the exploration of society and exclusion especially! The detached voice of Yunjae works really well, even though that style isn't really my favourite.
- I was hoping that there would be a bit more exploration around different types of emotions through his perspective, but that's definitely more about my expectations than a fault of this book.
- 0.5 above 3 though because I thought the imagery was so tactile and I loved the way all the scenes looked in my head.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yunjae was born with underdeveloped amygdalae in his brain which caused him to have difficulty feeling and expressing emotion. Yunjae's mother tried to help him recognize expressions and responses others had as a way to help him navigate relationships with others. Sometimes, it helped him to respond in an expected way, but usually people thought Yunjae was strange. His mother gave him almonds to eat in hopes the almond shaped amygdalae would grow and function properly. Unfortunately, Yumjae's doctors had no cure for his condition.
On Yunjae's sixteenth birthday, a tragic act left him alone in the world. He had to look to others for help. He became friendly with the landlord of his family's used book store, but otherwise withdrew from people. Gon, a new boy at school, tried to establish himself by picking a fight with Yunjae. Yunjae did not back down, but did not fight back either. This reaction confused Gon and he spent time talking to and watching Yunjae's reactions. Over time, the boys became friendly. Yunjae made another friend at school, a girl who he was drawn to. Slowly, Yunjae opened his circle to add people who made him feel comfortable. Overtime, he began to see he was starting to understand emotion and human relationships.
I thought this was a very interesting book. I read it because I saw the members of BTS reading it during the first season of In the Soop. It likely inspired SUGA to write his recent song, Amygdala. The amygdala is a fascinating and very important part of our brain. I knew very little about it or how its malfunction would affect someone. It was sad that Yunjae saw himself as a monster, but understandable when one was very different from the rest of those around you. The ending was very good and I was happy with how it played out.
On Yunjae's sixteenth birthday, a tragic act left him alone in the world. He had to look to others for help. He became friendly with the landlord of his family's used book store, but otherwise withdrew from people. Gon, a new boy at school, tried to establish himself by picking a fight with Yunjae. Yunjae did not back down, but did not fight back either. This reaction confused Gon and he spent time talking to and watching Yunjae's reactions. Over time, the boys became friendly. Yunjae made another friend at school, a girl who he was drawn to. Slowly, Yunjae opened his circle to add people who made him feel comfortable. Overtime, he began to see he was starting to understand emotion and human relationships.
I thought this was a very interesting book. I read it because I saw the members of BTS reading it during the first season of In the Soop. It likely inspired SUGA to write his recent song, Amygdala. The amygdala is a fascinating and very important part of our brain. I knew very little about it or how its malfunction would affect someone. It was sad that Yunjae saw himself as a monster, but understandable when one was very different from the rest of those around you. The ending was very good and I was happy with how it played out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Blood
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Bullying
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
A wonderful story with superb translation work, it’s a book where I can tell the translator strived to stay true to the words while also bringing their own passion to it. I loved the themes this book tackled: who is a “monster,” why do we watch bad things happen without intervening, what does it mean to live without fear (is it strength? Is it a danger?). Yunjae’s voice is really interesting, it’s distant and detached but still incredibly relatable and perceptive, painting his internal world in such a striking way. I really enjoyed reading this one, I feel like it could quickly become a classic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Bullying
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence
dark
emotional
tense
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
Loved loved loved. Children get the love they give!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence