Almond: A Novel

Product Information

I really liked Almond , especially the first half of the book. It loses its strength and flow in the second part of the book, though. Dora, a girl from school, appears out of nowhere and seems to exist solely to make him feel. If the author would have focused more on Yunjae and Gon, it would have been a more subtle and deeper story. Their relationship and conversations could have turned many times more intense… it had potential. But that must be the YA genre influence: the second half of the book feels much lighter and not as touching. It somehow turns into a high school drama. Given the idea of nunchi in Korean culture, I personally found this story especially compelling. In a different setting, I don’t think it would have the same impact. And while there’s definitely subtext of commentary on Korean society, overall, I feel like the author was after telling a fresh YA/coming-of-age story, which this certainly is. Won-pyung Sohn as said starts the book of with a proverbial bang, but the plot in the novel is in general much too convenient, with not only a very weird request of a totally unknown to the main person professor, but also his son turning up in the class of the main character. In general I found that part 1 (that is rather documentary but very effectively captures the cruelty of children) didn't flow in a naturally way into the later parts of the book. This while the book in my view takes a lot of too often used tropes in the later three sections, that loosely fit in the Band-of-outcasts-with-more-similarities-than-imagined-á-la-Breakfast-Club theme. Maybe others will like this more than I did. A big turn-off for me is that it reads like a young adult novel and I rarely like young adult writing. Perhaps I could have looked past the other things and enjoyed it more if it wasn't for that. I had so many thoughts when I read this book and a lot of them had to do with the way Yunjae was raised. I know his mother and grandmother only had the best intentions and wanted him to blend in with everyone, but I think to some extent their constant efforts made it even more difficult for him to deal with his condition. Emotions are something you can’t learn because human feelings are very complex and some people will cry because they are happy while others will laugh even though they are sad. You might be able to explain the general reasons behind behaviour like crying but every person is an individual and we all react differently when we’re overwhelmed by our feelings. The fine nuances of emotions... well they are something you can’t learn. So even though I understood where Yunjae’s mother was coming from I still didn’t agree with her methods. It felt like Yunjae was under a lot of pressure to learn “the proper reactions” and I kinda felt sorry for him.

Almond: A Novel - Won-pyung Sohn - Google Books Almond: A Novel - Won-pyung Sohn - Google Books

I'll be honest: Another reason I had to read this is because I saw the word "amygdala" in a review of it. Against all odds, tormentor and victim learn they have more in common than they realized. Gon is stumped by Yunjae’s impassive calm, while Yunjae thinks if he gets to know the hotheaded Gon, he might learn how to experience true feelings. Drawn by curiosity, the two strike up a surprising friendship. As Yunjae begins to open his life to new people—including a girl at school—something slowly changes inside him. And when Gon suddenly finds his life in danger, it is Yunjae who will step outside of every comfort zone he has created to perhaps become a most unlikely hero.This quote was extracted from the Author’s Note. She clarified that she would not classify whether Almond was a happy or tragic story, as no one would truly know. Will Yunjae be able to fully feel all emotions in the future? Will he be able to find love? Will he and Gon be friends for a long time? Will Yunjae and his mother be okay?

Almond by Sohn Won-pyung: Summary and reviews - BookBrowse

There is no such person who can’t be saved. There are only people who give up on trying to save others.

Media Reviews

Even though my brain was a mess, what kept my soul whole was the warmth of the hands holding mine on both sides. 3. Everyone has different ways in showing love. Plus I’m a huge fan of BTS and I can easily connect this with a book! Because if you know BTS and watched their show “In the Soop” you’ll know that RM as well as SUGA read “Almond” during the show. ;-) So this is the perfect choice for “read a book recommended by a Korean celebrity”! Su abuela se encargará de que su "pequeño monstruito" pase desapercibido junto con la ayuda de la madre. Aunque un trágico suceso expondrá a "Yunjae" al mundo, donde se las tendrá que ver con "Goni", un abusón de colegio que cambiará su vida para siempre. The last part of the book is unbelievable as well. Too cutesy and neat of an ending. It didn't make sense and I didn't buy it.

Books | David Almond Books | David Almond

Readers of Wonder by R.J. Palaccio and Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig will appreciate this "resonant" story that "gives Yunjae the courage to claim an entirely different story." (Booklist, starred review)Though everyone has different ways of expressing themselves, it is still not right to speak to someone a certain way and pass it off as a joke if they express their discomfort. Even more so to people like Yunjae who struggles in deciphering feelings and emotions, the relationship between our words and our actions are vital. 2. Being able to feel is a blessing. Don’t take it for granted.