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djy's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Torture, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing and Panic attacks/disorders
shnez's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Blood, and Death of parent
333amreen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
daylights's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Terminal illness, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
chireadsandchill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
dealogues's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Hate crime
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
abibliophobic_nerd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Contrary to what I heard from some people, I thought the author did a good job of telling a story through someone who cannot feel emotions without making it seem lifeless. Not the most memorable book but still one that will stick with me, I think.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
adriaxlife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Hate crime, Kidnapping, and Grief
whysoseriousnat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Blood, and Grief
shrutislibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So do you.
So do those you love and those you hate.
No one can feel them.
You just know they are there.
This story is, in short, about a monster meeting another monster. One of the monsters is me."
Have you ever met a 'monster' and stopped to think about what made them the way they are? Or are you one of those who has always skirted past such monsters in cold deserted streets hunched up against the dusty floor, not stirring to either offer help or ask how they are?
Translated from the Korean by Joosun Lee, 'Almond' begins with our narrator Yungae retelling the events starting from his birth, his boyhood days to his early teens.
These lines from the prologue set the tone for rest of this incredibly compact, quick paced novel about a boy who feels no emotions, who is incapable of any feeling or empathy. The disease is called Alexithymia which renders Yunjae's amygdala (the 'almond' in his brain) imperceptible to human emotions like love, happiness, anger, or pain. He can't react if someone physically injures him.
Throughout his childhood, Yunjae has been prepared by his mother & later his grandma to 'normalise' his behaviour and to put on an act of showcasing emotions in everyday situations even if he feels none, in order to blend in with the kids at school.
Christened with all kinds of names like a freak, a robot, a weirdo - he is affectionately called 'monster' by his grandma. But what happens if this solid support system is uprooted by an unforeseen tragedy? Yunjae must learn to survive and adapt in a cruel and unforgiving world, navigating the dark seas of emotions all alone. In this journey of self actualisation, he will come across some unexpected friends, a lot of bullies, a monster- another monster like him that will bind them together in an inseparable bond.
'Almond' is a story replete with beautiful descriptions of Seoul set against the backdrop of changing seasons in the streets, but is also haunted by the memories of sickness & tragedies. The ending will make you feel warm, teary & hopeful in unlikely friendships and about 'monsters' who can be saved. #ipreview via @preview.app
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent