Scan barcode
deadbookishsociety's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
alice000's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, and Domestic abuse
annawookie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, and Blood
Minor: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Cancer
vlntnmz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
adore's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism
n_asyikin_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
An explorative story that contrast the life & experience of the boy who did not feel any emotions with the boy who felt too much. Yunjae's mechanical view of the world, though detached at times, had depth; providing greater perception. In fact, I'd argue he tend to be more perceptive than others in the story, particularly in terms of his interaction & subsequent understanding of Gon.
Sohn, the original author, stipulated that she was interested to explore our ability to be compassionate to less-than-perfect, i.e., what our society will deem "abnormal" children (though I detest the stigma implied by the concept). Yunjae was one example. Gon was the other. Her writings were brutal, as was reflected by the cruelty displayed by Gon. But I think Sohn, & Lee, the story translator, did well by not so much minimising his cruelty, but rather highlighting the possible root to his behavioural problem; one that eventually was explicitly delineated by Yunjae later.
Ableism is a common theme within this story. It has to be noted that my experience with ableism relating to mental illness meant that I'm very limited in my ability to comment on this in relation to Yunjae's alexithymia. Through Yunjae, we were shown how unforgiving the society could be towards anyone which deviated from the "norm". This theme was prevalent throughout the story, with Yunjae engaging in masking; being a victim of bully & prejudice. I thought his conversations with Dr. Shim provided some insights into how a neurodiverse person had to "adapt" into a less-than-inclusive world; Dr. Shim's compassion particularly respectable in his solicitude.
Although the ending,
If anything were to be taken from this story is that we must address the highly stigmatizing & exclusionary view of what is considered acceptable in society. Also, compassion is a highly valuable element to the betterment of society.
Almond was a reflective story that will grip your mind & humanity.
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Ableism, Bullying, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, and Emotional abuse
sunsetcity's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence