A review by sahla
Almond by Won-pyung Sohn

dark hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

4.0

i really enjoyed this book; the characters are so properly fleshed, and everything is captured so beautifully. the ending, when
yunjae meets his mother again, when she realizes that he can feel now, his absolute surprise and astonishment at her being alive, gosh,
it warmed my heart. and when
gon begs him to return when he's lying on the floor, bloody and hurt, and apologises so much,,,
it really moved me to tears.

the writing style reflects each of the characters so well, it's amazing. i can feel how yunjae must feel. the idea of him having the vocabulary for feelings but not actually having the feelings themselves, was conveyed perfectly, and so was the reverse for gon. and god, the relationship between his mother and grandmother is just so mwah.

my only issue (idk if it can actually be called that) was: dude, the homoerotic subtext between gon and yunjae! it was right there. i really liked dora, but there was no straight plotline necessary. but anyways, we move. (i've never felt more validated in my life than when i read the translator's note where she said she thought the same). 
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