Book Review: Almond

Book Name: Almond
Author: Won-Pyung Sohn

Publication: HarperVia

Genre: Fiction

“I have to act to give you what you want, and I can’t. It’s just impossible. So please stop now. Everyone’s acting like they’re scared of you, but they’re actually laughing at you.” 

-Yunjae (unable to express his emotion) to Gon (bullying) 

Note for Readers: This book contains portrayals of murder, bullying, violence, trauma, and loneliness.

Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn is a story of hope, resilience, friendship, human conditioning, and, of course, subtle humour amidst the seriousness of the protagonist's struggles and loss.

The story follows a teenager named Yunjae, who was born with a brain condition called alexithymia, which makes it difficult for him to identify, express, and process his own emotions, even in the gravest situations, such as when his mother is brutally attacked and his grandmother is shot right in front of his eyes. While the crowd stands frozen in terror, Yunjae simply watches the tragedy unfold without any visible emotion on his face.

He loses his grandmother, and his mother is left in a vegetative state after the incident. As he learns to live on his own while trying to arrange money for her treatment, he takes over their bookstore. While navigating life with his mother confined to a hospital bed, he meets Dr. Shim, his mother's friend, who repeatedly offers to help him. However, Yunjae refuses many times because he wants to earn his own living rather than become a burden. Gradually, he begins sharing his thoughts with Dr. Shim and grows comfortable around him.

He also meets a boy named Gon, and the two slowly become close friends. Their friendship marks the beginning of Yunjae's journey towards understanding both life and emotions. What happens as Gon and Yunjae's friendship deepens, and how Yunjae becomes a pillar of support in helping Gon emerge from his isolation, ultimately transforms Yunjae's own life. Without revealing too much, I would simply recommend that you pick up this book without a second thought. Just a gentle warning, it may make you cry at times, but by the end, you will feel as though you have lived alongside these characters.

The characters are flawed, self-conscious, independent, and rebellious, just like many adolescents are. This is true of Yunjae, Gon, and Dora alike. The adult characters, including Yunjae's mother, his grandmother, Dr. Shim, and Mr. Yun, are also dealing with their own mistakes, struggles, vulnerabilities, and the desire for forgiveness, just like adults often do.

Each character encourages readers to reflect on different phases of their own lives. The emotions and relationships portrayed throughout the novel will remind you of your friends, family, acquaintances, and even strangers you meet along the way.

And then there is the bookstore. Every time the story returns to it, the setting comes alive. It almost feels as though it is not Yunjae describing the bookstore and its collection, but the bookstore itself telling its own story.

The writing style is simple yet deeply thought-provoking, keeping readers engaged until the very last page. The descriptions of the characters' physical appearances at different stages of the story are vivid and memorable. One example that stayed with me is, "Between Mom the Ageless Vampire, and Granny the Giant, I was the only one growing and changing."

The author beautifully portrays stress, tension, happiness, hope, sympathy, longing, resilience, and countless other emotions through her words, even though the protagonist himself struggles to understand and express emotions because of alexithymia.

This is one of those books that I believe everyone should read at least once in their life. Not only because it is beautifully written, but because it encourages readers to reflect on human conditioning and reminds us how a single careless action can completely change someone's life. People who commit crimes such as theft or murder often target strangers, but the consequences of those actions are borne by the loved ones left behind.

I believe this book will leave readers with greater empathy and make them more sensitive to the people around them. Long after you finish the final page, Yunjae's journey will stay with you, quietly reminding you of the power of compassion, understanding, and human connection.

Buy From Here: Almond