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challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The author’s note at the end captured the book perfectly to me, “I have come to think that love is what makes a person human, as well as what makes a monster. That’s the story I wanted to tell”.
Almond is so simply written, that it has very little impact at the exposition. I wasn’t impressed by the first shock value plot device either. But as the story progressed,
I became deeply invested in Yunjae’s relationships as well as his mental and psychological development. It was fascinating watching him experience feelings for the first time and form somatic responses to his emotions. I could really relate to his difficulty with learning emotions and trying to fit in that way. I was really attached to his emotional journey and challenging friendship with Gon. This really eclipsed the rest of the needlessly tragic and violent narratives for me.
This book contains graphic and violent scenes that can be upsetting for readers. I personally didn’t find them to take away from the storyline; but after discussing the book with a friend, I think it’s important to note that the author most likely didn’t need these disturbing plot devices to achieve a similar if not same effect. That being said, I still really enjoyed this book and hope people will give Sohn’s debut novel a try!
Almond is so simply written, that it has very little impact at the exposition. I wasn’t impressed by the first shock value plot device either. But as the story progressed,
I became deeply invested in Yunjae’s relationships as well as his mental and psychological development. It was fascinating watching him experience feelings for the first time and form somatic responses to his emotions. I could really relate to his difficulty with learning emotions and trying to fit in that way. I was really attached to his emotional journey and challenging friendship with Gon. This really eclipsed the rest of the needlessly tragic and violent narratives for me.
This book contains graphic and violent scenes that can be upsetting for readers. I personally didn’t find them to take away from the storyline; but after discussing the book with a friend, I think it’s important to note that the author most likely didn’t need these disturbing plot devices to achieve a similar if not same effect. That being said, I still really enjoyed this book and hope people will give Sohn’s debut novel a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Medical content, Grief
Minor: Toxic relationship
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Una lectura corta interesante que muestra cómo los seres humanos perciben a las personas con discapacidad en el contexto de la conservadora sociedad surcoreana. Es una traducción, un libro muy rápido de leer con capítulos cortos y de escritura sencilla.
La historia trata sobre un niño que nació con una condición llamada Alexitimia que le dificulta sentir emociones como el miedo o la ira. Vive con una madre muy dedicada que hace todo lo que está en sus manos para ayudarlo, y una abuela que es un pilar de apoyo para él y su madre. Pero su vida sufre un gran cambio cuando su familia atraviesa una inmensa tragedia que lo deja huérfano, tras lo cual enfrenta muchos obstáculos en su vida diaria y escolar. Entabla amistad con un compañero de clase temperamental y descubre la amistad y el amor.
Creo que el contraste entre los dos personajes principales fue interesante. El chico que no siente nada conoce a un chico que siente mucho. La dinámica era interesante. El trasfondo de la sociedad coreana también es muy interesante. Creo que este libro funcionó mejor porque estaba ambientado en Corea. Hay críticas sutiles a la sociedad rígida y conservadora: la vida de rutina y las presiones sobre la clase media. Algunas escenas, incluyendo libros, están descritas de manera muy vívida y la escritura es hermosa en esos momentos.
Creo que el contraste entre los dos personajes principales fue interesante. El chico que no siente nada conoce a un chico que siente mucho. La dinámica era interesante. El trasfondo de la sociedad coreana también es muy interesante.
En algunos puntos, ciertos elementos parecieron casi irreales, incluyendo algunos momentos con estallidos repentinos de violencia, pero en general es un libro intrigante y reflexivo sobre la mayoría de edad que captura sentimientos de tristeza y esperanza. Me gustó la historia aunque el final no fue mi favorito.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Blood
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
I LOVED Almond. Sohn explores friendship, love, and grief in such a unique way, making me ponder about what it means to simply know someone as opposed to understanding them. For Yunjae, a boy who is trying his hardest to make the people around him happy, without even really understanding what that means for himself, to give others the benefit of the doubt that he never receives, love and friendship in the most unlikely circumstances makes so much sense. I loved the characters, I loved the dialogue between them, and I loved the silly and sad situations that led them to becoming who they are and who they will be in the future. Just a wonderful book that prompts a lot of introspection into what it means to be a human and the importance of second chances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Medical content
Minor: Grief
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
Das Buch schafft es, dass mir zwei völlig verschiedene Charaktere, deren Verhalten mir auf unterschiedliche Weise moralisch zuwider ist und mit deren Gedankengängen und Taten ich selten sympathisieren kann, so sehr ans Herz wachsen, dass ich mich kaum von ihnen verabschieden mag. Und irgendwo in diesem Widerspruch steckt wohl die Erkenntnis, die Almond einem mit auf den Weg geben kann.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness, Physical abuse
Minor: Abandonment
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Sexual violence, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abandonment
Minor: Misogyny, Toxic friendship