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thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
im a lil sad bc this wouldve easily been a 4-star read if it wasnt for the last part. the first 3/4 was so good but the climax was too cheesy for me and the ending felt rushed w/ things tied up way too nicely.
nevertheless, almond was def a special book w/ an even more special narrator whose unique emotionally detached voice i loved. yunjae's prolly one of my most fav characters ever; he's that memorable. his unique outlook actually served as a major strength for the book, pointing all the idiosyncracies and ridiculous things 'normal' ppl and society at large do/tolerate. his fam's also a dynamic, heartwarming one, and his unconventional ~home education~ was def interesting.
im also surprised at how much i like gon--which i think is the author's point--and i feel for everything he's been thru; it's kinda ridiculous that no adults thought he might need some psych help considering his history. his and yunjae's relationship is an interesting one too and i loved their bookstore scenes. speaking of characters, however, while dora was a character necessary for yunjae's growth, i feel she couldve been introduced better; as it was it seemed a lil too sudden and random, like she's merely a plot device.
this book was also full of a myriad of emotions, whether it be "bruh" and "that escalated quickly" moments esp in the beginning; hilarious convos and scenarios that enduce more than a few chuckles; heartwarming and rly sad moments as well, for yunjae and gon both. almond was also surprisingly wise and i highly appreciate its themes and msg of reaching out to others, understanding, love, empathy, the passage of time, change, concept of 'ordinary', etc, and its portrayal of the duality of heart vs brain and what they tell us.
however, the last part felt weirdly awkward and a lil too cheesy for me, and the ending couldve been longer, w/ more scenes devoted to yunjae and gon and the resolution of their conflict. rn the pgs only contain things post-action. still, this was one of the better korean books ive read, and a fav for sure.
nevertheless, almond was def a special book w/ an even more special narrator whose unique emotionally detached voice i loved. yunjae's prolly one of my most fav characters ever; he's that memorable. his unique outlook actually served as a major strength for the book, pointing all the idiosyncracies and ridiculous things 'normal' ppl and society at large do/tolerate. his fam's also a dynamic, heartwarming one, and his unconventional ~home education~ was def interesting.
im also surprised at how much i like gon--which i think is the author's point--and i feel for everything he's been thru; it's kinda ridiculous that no adults thought he might need some psych help considering his history. his and yunjae's relationship is an interesting one too and i loved their bookstore scenes. speaking of characters, however, while dora was a character necessary for yunjae's growth, i feel she couldve been introduced better; as it was it seemed a lil too sudden and random, like she's merely a plot device.
this book was also full of a myriad of emotions, whether it be "bruh" and "that escalated quickly" moments esp in the beginning; hilarious convos and scenarios that enduce more than a few chuckles; heartwarming and rly sad moments as well, for yunjae and gon both. almond was also surprisingly wise and i highly appreciate its themes and msg of reaching out to others, understanding, love, empathy, the passage of time, change, concept of 'ordinary', etc, and its portrayal of the duality of heart vs brain and what they tell us.
however, the last part felt weirdly awkward and a lil too cheesy for me, and the ending couldve been longer, w/ more scenes devoted to yunjae and gon and the resolution of their conflict. rn the pgs only contain things post-action. still, this was one of the better korean books ive read, and a fav for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Sexism, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing