Almond: A Novel

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I'm still not sure what to think of Dora. To some extent, I feel like she was necessary but at the same time, I think her sudden apperance took away too much from the main plot. This is a very fast book to read since the chapters are so short. I personally loved the short chapters because it kept the book moving at a good pace.

Almond by Won-pyung Sohn - Where to Kim? Review: Almond by Won-pyung Sohn - Where to Kim?

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. Otra cosa que me gusta de este tipo de historias y en este libro se refleja a la perfección, es la violencia que desata el miedo al diferente. El no entender algo suele provocar odio, y en esta historia vemos a varios personajes cuyas diferencias despiertan esta violencia en las personas que les rodean. Nadie trata de ayudar o de comprender a estas personas, solo señalarlas y apartarlas. Brutal la crítica.

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. The first two-thirds (basically part 1&2) of this book was easily 5 stars for me but then it unfortunately went a bit downhill. Given that the hero, Yunjae, has so much difficulty with empathy and relating to others, he often attracts negative attention. One day, this attention comes from a juvenile delinquent named Gon, who has a whole bunch of his own problems, one of which brings him into the sphere of Yunjae in the first place. As you learn more about them, their bond becomes one of contrasts: Yunjae is a "good boy" who feels nothing at all; Gon is a "bad boy" who feels far too much. Yunjae has no empathy and could do terrible things without remorse but doesn't. Gon, on the other hand, lashes out at everyone, even as it tears him up inside. It becomes a curious and fascinating study about societal norms and morality-- especially in the last act of the book, when Yunjae makes another friend named Dora.

Almond by Won-pyung Sohn — Aniko Press Review: Almond by Won-pyung Sohn — Aniko Press

Dora found beauty in everything. She found nature’s magnificent work and incredible symmetry in a turtle’s carapace, or a stork’s egg, or an autumn reed from a swamp. How wonderful, she would often say. I understood the meaning of the word, but I could never feel the splendor it carried.” 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.She said families walk hand in hand. Granny would hold my other hand. I have never been abandoned by anyone. Even though my brain was a mess, what kept my soul whole was the warmth of the hands holding mine on both sides.” Almond is Won-Pyung Sohn’s debut fiction novel. The English translation was done by Sandy Joosun Lee.