Almond: A Novel

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He does have good quotes, like: If I can’t protect myself from being hurt I rather hurt other people.

Almond by Won-pyung Sohn, Sandy Joosun Lee | Waterstones

Su abuela se encargará de que su "pequeño monstruito" pase desapercibido junto con la ayuda de la madre. I never really thought of checking out BTS' book recommendations but thanks to my friend who has been gushing about it and knowing that if it's not for her, I would never come across this book would be such a regret. Creo que el primer acierto es que esté narrada por Yunjae, con ese toque frío y robótico que transmite perfectamente esa falta de sentimientos.

Desde entonces, Yunjae debe aprender a vivir solo, sin deseo de derramar una lágrima, sin tristeza ni miedo ni felicidad.

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

He doesn't really feel happiness, at least not in a strong way, but he is content living with his mother and grandmother… until an incident that leaves his grandmother dead and his mother in a coma. 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. 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. It felt like Yunjae was under a lot of pressure to learn “the proper reactions” and I kinda felt sorry for him. I honestly enjoy this book and it is highly affecting, which is sure to delight readers of every age.The prologue promised a study of two peculiar individuals and their relationship, but halfway through it just gave up and decided to wrap up quickly with a mediocre conclusion. En este caso un protagonista (Yunjae) al que sus amígdalas cerebrales ("Almendras") no se han desarrollado del todo, impidiéndole experimentar los sentimientos o de leerlos en los demás. Vas de la mano con el protagonista mientras te guía por su pequeña (y dura, vista desde fuera) vida, pero no es excesivamente dramático. Tentatively the two strike up a friendship, the first of Yunjae’s life, and they learn to rely on each other in ways neither of them has relied on anyone else before.

Almond: A Novel: Sohn, Won-pyung, Lee, Sandy Joosun

It was interesting to read the translator's note at the end, where she wrote that after reading the Korean text, she wasn't sure whether it was just her interpretation or there really might have been something more than friendship between the main characters.Guess what, he feels emotions "because the heart is more powerful than the brain" or something like that… SO LOVE BEATS MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR SILLY MEDICAL DEGREES! For instance, the adults around him open up and tell him every little thing, as though he's their therapist. En definitiva, "Almendra" me ha parecido un libro contundente, que ha logrado despertar en mi muchos sentimientos bonitos, y que, aun presentándonos una trama dura, tiene ese toque esperanzador que yo siempre valoro en los libros con una carga dramática considerable. He is a distant narrator, but the way he questions himself and ponders what he should do makes him just as full of life as anyone else. If the author would have focused more on Yunjae and Gon, it would have been a more subtle and deeper story.