Book Title: Almond: A Novel
ISBN: 9780062961389
Author: Sohn Won-pyung
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Year: 2021
Price: RM54.95
Love is what makes a person human, as well as what makes a monster.
– Sohn Won-pyung
“Almond: A Novel” by Sohn Won-pyung is a story about the life of a teenage Korean boy named Yunjae who has a brain condition called Alexithymia.
Yunjae’s condition made it hard for him to feel the emotions of fear and rage, which throughout the book causes him to behave innocently like a child.
His emotions are represented by almond-shaped neurons, which makes his perception of the world fascinating and unique.
His loving and caring mother and grandmother, who raised him, were the two people who accepted him and taught him the meaning of true life.
He was taught and reminded to always smile, appreciating others by saying “thank you”, and express happiness through laughter.
In the story, two events had an impact on Yunjae; one on his sixteenth birthday and another when Gon, a troubled teenager, appeared in his life.
It was said that during the first event, a violent encounter occurred on Christmas Eve, leaving Yunjae in shock and grief.
The incident caused him to confront the harsh reality, and he found solace in silence.
After the incident, during school time, Gon appeared in his life and started bullying him.
Being unable to feel any emotion, Yunjae remained calm, which changed Gon’s impression of him and sparked Gon’s curiosity.
Gon then realised he had developed empathy for Yunjae, and began to question why he felt the need to bully someone who was so peaceful and resilient.
On the other hand, Yunjae decided to meet Gon and try to learn how to deal with his own emotions by understanding such an act by the troubled teenager.
In my opinion, the novel, which explores acts of physical and emotional violence, has created two monsters in the form of Yunjae and Gon.
Why monster? because Yunjae’s grandmother once called him a monster, which gave his character some complexity. He then said, “Monsters in books weren’t adorable. In fact, monsters were completely opposite to everything adorable. I wondered why she’d call me that.”
However, although the novel depicts violent encounters, it also portrays a loving relationship through the bond between Yunjae and his mother.
When it comes to their relationship, his mother has always been supportive and has never given up on raising her son.
She helps Yunjae in bridging the gap between his inner world and the reality that he needs to face. How lovely is that, not abandoning Yunjae and continuing to trust him with the power of love.
I learned that Almond highlights the importance of human connection and the transformative impact of genuine care and compassion.
Readers could feel the complexities of human emotions through Yunjae’s journeys and relationships.
It is an easy and light read as I am always eager and excited to find out what happens next.
Although Yunjae is somewhat complex, the story also portray how love and compassion can help him change for the better in his journey through life.
It sends a strong message to the readers that love can change everything, that in our lives, we may encounter so many events that teach us meaningful lessons and make us more appreciative.
“Almond: A Novel” is a testament to the power of empathy, reminding us of our shared humanity and the importance of understanding and embracing the emotions that shape us.
