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dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Blood
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
“I was just unlucky. Luck plays a huge part in all the unfairness of the world. Even more than you’d expect.”
Almond is a debut novel by South Korean novelist Won-Pyung Sohn. Set in contemporary time in Seoul, it is a coming of age story of Yunjae who was born with Alexithymia, a brain condition which makes him difficult to identify and express emotions.
The amygdalas, the almond-shape set of neurons located in Yunjae's brain, are small and not seem to be growing. Because of his inability to show emotion, he doesn't have friends at school. He lives with his mother and grandmother in a house attached with a bookstore. Yunjae's mother made post-it notes and pictures to teach him about human expressions and how to response in standard situations so that he could fit in into everyday's situations and not get picked on. While Yunjae is going out with his mother and grandma on his 16th birthday, a random person in the street gets violent and forces him to live on his own.
Gon, a troubled teenager transferred to Yunjae's school. Due to the complicated relationship with his father, Gon lashes out at everything. He's more annoyed by Yunjae's unbothered reactions so he bullies him. Yunjae still feels pain but he just can't display and it gets more intense. Gon wants to be strong and believes being unemotional is strength. Later, curious about Yunjae's emotionlessness, he attempts to befriend with him outside the school. With no one to teach him about new emotions, Yunjae also accepts Gon and tries to understand him. When they begin to get along with each other, one small incident leads to another and threatens the lives of both boys.
My absolute favourite part of this novel is collocation of two different characters each having their own contradicting characteristics. Yunjae can be emotionless in appearance but he is very articulate when it comes to expressing his opinions. On the other hand, Gon who has intense emotions and easily bursts out with anger frequently is poor in expressive conversations. The juxtaposition of these two characters fascinates me the most in the entire story.
The book is translated from Korean to English by Joosun Lee. It allows the reader traverses in the theme of family, friendship, loss, and compassion. In simple and crisp narrative, the writer delivers the protagonist's life accurately. However, it seems to be a bit unconvincing in certain parts when it is to illustrate the growth of Yunjae's character. The statements or incidents aren't cogent enough, I suppose. Unsure if it is the translation or the original writing. Nonetheless, it is a very heartwarming and soul stirring read. Those who loves books like Wonder and the Perks of Being a Wallflower might enjoy this book, as well.
Almond is a debut novel by South Korean novelist Won-Pyung Sohn. Set in contemporary time in Seoul, it is a coming of age story of Yunjae who was born with Alexithymia, a brain condition which makes him difficult to identify and express emotions.
The amygdalas, the almond-shape set of neurons located in Yunjae's brain, are small and not seem to be growing. Because of his inability to show emotion, he doesn't have friends at school. He lives with his mother and grandmother in a house attached with a bookstore. Yunjae's mother made post-it notes and pictures to teach him about human expressions and how to response in standard situations so that he could fit in into everyday's situations and not get picked on. While Yunjae is going out with his mother and grandma on his 16th birthday, a random person in the street gets violent and forces him to live on his own.
Gon, a troubled teenager transferred to Yunjae's school. Due to the complicated relationship with his father, Gon lashes out at everything. He's more annoyed by Yunjae's unbothered reactions so he bullies him. Yunjae still feels pain but he just can't display and it gets more intense. Gon wants to be strong and believes being unemotional is strength. Later, curious about Yunjae's emotionlessness, he attempts to befriend with him outside the school. With no one to teach him about new emotions, Yunjae also accepts Gon and tries to understand him. When they begin to get along with each other, one small incident leads to another and threatens the lives of both boys.
My absolute favourite part of this novel is collocation of two different characters each having their own contradicting characteristics. Yunjae can be emotionless in appearance but he is very articulate when it comes to expressing his opinions. On the other hand, Gon who has intense emotions and easily bursts out with anger frequently is poor in expressive conversations. The juxtaposition of these two characters fascinates me the most in the entire story.
The book is translated from Korean to English by Joosun Lee. It allows the reader traverses in the theme of family, friendship, loss, and compassion. In simple and crisp narrative, the writer delivers the protagonist's life accurately. However, it seems to be a bit unconvincing in certain parts when it is to illustrate the growth of Yunjae's character. The statements or incidents aren't cogent enough, I suppose. Unsure if it is the translation or the original writing. Nonetheless, it is a very heartwarming and soul stirring read. Those who loves books like Wonder and the Perks of Being a Wallflower might enjoy this book, as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Blood
*SPOILER
Though the last chapter is a tad too optimistic for me personally, the epilogue kinda save the ending, I guess. Yes, life takes on various flavours as it flows but I think it is good to end with a positive note. Sometimes, we need to be sanguine in this shitty world, right?
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
I really enjoyed the premise of the book (focusing on the life of someone with alexithymia) and I thought the writing was quite good.
my biggest issue was the plot, it seems to end really out of character and random - I do wonder if that's because oh who is narrating, it made it come off odd.
there was also a lot of violence that I did not expect...
my biggest issue was the plot, it seems to end really out of character and random - I do wonder if that's because oh who is narrating, it made it come off odd.
there was also a lot of violence that I did not expect...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
leí este libro por namjoon y yoongi y wow. realmente lloré pero a la vez fue muy todo muy lindo, tiene descripciones muy bellas y frases significativas. muy bueno.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really digestible and the perfect length, the book and the chapters. The chapters are sometimes a little too short but it is all intentional and works really well for pacing. A coming of age story with some dark themes that is just quite lovely.
When it boils down to it, it’s a book about human relationships and the way humans are shaped and moulded by those we surround ourselves with.
When it boils down to it, it’s a book about human relationships and the way humans are shaped and moulded by those we surround ourselves with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Violence, Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Blood
challenging
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Death, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
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, Death, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
"Even though my brain was a mess, what kept my soul whole was the warmth of the hands holding mine on both sides."
Korean literature and art has this distinct soul touching quality, making you feel relaxed, grateful and healed.
I loved the book so much. I loved the two main characters, their relationship and how they grew from each other's influence. Kinda like a plot of a Miyazaki film.
1. You know a book is good if it makes you reflect on yourself.
This book in particular makes you go on a journey in your own head, in your own life and world. Your brain will go round, reflecting on yourself and your past experiences as you read the main character go through challenges of life and youth.
Because at least I found myself going on these memory tangents about my own teen years and coming of age etc after each chapter...
It was really fun kinda like active reading. 😂
2. Its not how you're born but how you're treated and brought up by others around you.
It was a very human way of looking at someone suffering from this disease. Mostly media depicts people who aren't able to feel emotions as evil murderous villains and that's problematic on a whole different level. This book showed us a more humane point of view of such a person. I prefer this a way more than any other depiction.
The way the Yunjae describes what each character is doing, their smallest body language like tapping the toe 3 times or what their face is doing instead of what the character is feeling. That was special, something we won't usually see in books. Also the way he tries to make sense of the emotions we never even think about e.g.:
"Now I understood a little what it meant to be frightened. It was like desperately gasping for air in a place without oxygen. That was how Gon was looking at me."
3. Lastly, This book can also be taken as a beautiful and rich character study. Gosh, you could literally feel the love of the writer for her characters in her writing. And in all honesty, the writer even made my inner child feel loved with her soul touching words...
Not to mention that all this would not have been possible if the translator hadn't done such an amazing job!
Korean literature and art has this distinct soul touching quality, making you feel relaxed, grateful and healed.
I loved the book so much. I loved the two main characters, their relationship and how they grew from each other's influence. Kinda like a plot of a Miyazaki film.
1. You know a book is good if it makes you reflect on yourself.
This book in particular makes you go on a journey in your own head, in your own life and world. Your brain will go round, reflecting on yourself and your past experiences as you read the main character go through challenges of life and youth.
Because at least I found myself going on these memory tangents about my own teen years and coming of age etc after each chapter...
It was really fun kinda like active reading. 😂
2. Its not how you're born but how you're treated and brought up by others around you.
It was a very human way of looking at someone suffering from this disease. Mostly media depicts people who aren't able to feel emotions as evil murderous villains and that's problematic on a whole different level. This book showed us a more humane point of view of such a person. I prefer this a way more than any other depiction.
The way the Yunjae describes what each character is doing, their smallest body language like tapping the toe 3 times or what their face is doing instead of what the character is feeling. That was special, something we won't usually see in books. Also the way he tries to make sense of the emotions we never even think about e.g.:
"Now I understood a little what it meant to be frightened. It was like desperately gasping for air in a place without oxygen. That was how Gon was looking at me."
3. Lastly, This book can also be taken as a beautiful and rich character study. Gosh, you could literally feel the love of the writer for her characters in her writing. And in all honesty, the writer even made my inner child feel loved with her soul touching words...
Not to mention that all this would not have been possible if the translator hadn't done such an amazing job!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Death
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship