Almond audiobook

Unabashedly here one week after Yoongi was caught reading this on the In the Soop preview. Sad to say, this book would’ve absolutely slipped under my radar otherwise. This is one of my favorite reads of this year.Given the idea of nunchi in Korean culture, I personally found this story especially compelling. In a different setting, I don’t think it would have the same impact. And while there’s definitely subtext of commentary on Korean society, overall, I feel like the author was after telling a fresh YA/coming-of-age story, which this certainly is. It’s a very fast-paced, quick read and left me wanting more. My one complaint is that the ending is a little too perfect, and yet, somehow left so many loose ends? I can forgive it, since all of the characters are absolutely adorable. I just want more!So yeah, thank you for reading this, Yoongi!As a side note for any ARMY that are here- I’m slowly working my way through Bangtan related reads, and this is by far one of my faves. If you liked the Notes or Demian for focusing on the importance of friendship as a developing youth, you will likely enjoy this book too.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (HarperVia).This book is why I love international books. They’re always so different from what is traditionally published here in America and I find that so refreshing. In the prologue it states that, “I won’t tell you whether it has a happy ending or a tragic ending…neither you nor I nor anyone can ever really know whether a story is happy or tragic.” I think that perfectly sums up the book. It is sad at times, but there is still hope and happiness. The book toes the the line between both very well and highlights the complexities of life. This is a very fast book to read since the chapters are so short. I personally loved the short chapters because it kept the book moving at a good pace. I loved the juxtaposition between the two main characters. Their dynamic was so fascinating. A boy that feels nothing meets a boy who feels too much. Lastly, there are some lovely descriptions about books in this novel. At one point the main character states, “I felt connected to the smell of old books. The first time I smelled them, it was as if I’d encountered something I already knew” (pg 43). At another point he states, “But books are quiet. They remain dead silent until somebody flips open a page. Only then do they spill out their stories, calmly and thoroughly, just enough at a time for me to handle” (pg 127). Overall, I found this novel to be beautiful and thought provoking! If you’re looking to try something new and a bit different, pick up this book!

"Lastly, and I know it sounds like an excuse but neither you nor I nor anyone can ever really know whether a story is happy or tragic" 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. Almond follows the story of Yunjae, who was born with a brain condition called Alexithymia that makes it hard for him to feel emotions. And as the story unfolds, you can see how the author tries to portray this kind of condition to be something that is rarely understood in society and often leads to prejudice and discrimination. Yunjae was often labeled as a "monster" and got outcasted among his friends for his inability to feel anything. This book showed how children were pre-described by society to meet certain behavior . After all, "human beings are a product of their education." Even so, Yunjae's victimization from his classmates due to his oddness was not the main focus in this book but rather, on his effort to understand the behaviors of the people around him and how neurotypical interactions work. Like when he notes how easily people were to throw up their hands at the challenge of fixing remote problems, and in turn, cower in fear at the thought of fixing those nearest to them. There is a devastating eloquence in how Yunjae can express the complexities of human behavior and interactions with such simplicity, and through Yunjae’s eyes, the reader is given a different way of looking at the world. "There are a hundred answers to one question in this world. So it's hard for me to give you a correct answer" I couldn't see this book to be as impactful if it was taken from a different culture. The commentary on Korean society is what made this book to be compelling for a coming-of-age novel. And it is so ironic how this book was supposed to be about a boy with no emotion, yet was enigmatically emotional. I honestly enjoy this book and it is highly affecting, which is sure to delight readers of every age. I also enjoy the philosophies and analogies it has to offer, creating a message powerfully delivered. This was the best book I've read in 2021 so far. Thank you Sofea for letting me know about this & thank you Namjoon/Yoongi for letting us know, that such a masterpiece exists.

Please don’t adapt this book into anything. Just don’t ruin it. 1. Clever writing 2. Awesome translation 3. Tragedy in tragedy in tragedy 4. The story is as undeniable but weird as the cover5. Trigger warnings for extreme bloody violence, bullying, animal harm (it was traumatising for me to read about it. Any living being cannot be tortured in any way. Period.)The first half is perfect perfect while the second half seems a bit rushed. Nevertheless the ending has a good closure. Not a fan of so many things regarding the main or side characters. However, considering how intrigued I was the whole time I am giving this fiction a perfect rating.The thrill. The pain. The agony. Please suffer.

Me encanta leer novelas internacionales porque te das cuenta de lo distintas que pueden ser. Y es que si algo me gustó de este libro, es que el protagonista clínicamente no puede reconocer o expresar emociones. Sin embargo, yo pude vivir miles de ellas a lo largo de estas páginas.Los mensajes sobre el amor y la ausencia del mismo me parecieron muy profundas. Sin olvidarnos de la reflexión mas importante: Un niño que ignora las tragedias ajenas por su falta emociones causará mucho más impacto aún cuando toda la población también está acostumbrada a ignorarlas.Mi único conflicto con la novela es que hay partes que se van muy rápido y me hubiera gustado que se desarrollaran más (la relación con la abuela, el doctor Shim y Dora) :(Fuera de eso, disfruté mucho de conocer a Gon y Yunjae ❤️

Yunjae tiene 16 años y aunque se encuentra en ese momento de la adolescencia donde los sentimientos se vuelven más intensos, él no puede sentir nada. Las amígdalas de su cerebro son tan pequeñitas como una almendra y esto lo hace incapaz de sentir. Su cuerpo puede sentir frío o calor, y también dolor físico, pero no es capaz de entender sentimientos como el miedo, la felicidad o la tristeza. Desde pequeño su madre le ha enseñado a fingir estos sentimientos para encajar en la sociedad y que nadie lo rechace por ser diferente. Pese a todo vive en un hogar reconfortante junto a su madre y su abuela, un lugar seguro donde es protegido del mundo exterior. Pero esto pronto va a cambiar: un día su madre y su abuela serán atacadas por un psicópata y su vida dará un vuelco. Por primera vez se verá obligado a vivir solo, sin ayuda de nadie para entender a los demás. A partir de este momento no le quedará más remedio que acercarse a otros, tratando de comprender estos sentimientos que le son tan ajenos, y para ello empezará a relacionarse con diferentes personas: un compañero de clase abusón que esconde a una persona acomplejada; una chica especial que practica atletismo o un amigo de su madre que se gana la vida con una panadería. Creo que el primer acierto es que esté narrada por Yunjae, con ese toque frío y robótico que transmite perfectamente esa falta de sentimientos. Solo narra los distintos momentos de su vida como si fuera un mero espectador. Sin embargo, sentí que eso va cambiado conforme va avanzando la novela y cada vez se muestra una narración mucho más sentida. O al menos eso he percibido yo. Y tanto es así que ha logrado emocionarme en muchísimas ocasiones. Siempre empatizo con estas historias donde se nos presenta a una persona que no encaja en la sociedad, que de alguna manera es diferente y eso hace que sea rechazado por esta, casi repudiado. Esos personajes inadaptados, que buscan entender la sociedad que les rodea, pero que nunca son aceptados por ella, siempre consiguen agarrarme y no soltarme hasta el final. Yunjae es un personaje increíble, con un carisma brutal, aún no siendo capaz de sentir.Otra cosa que me gusta de este tipo de historias y en este libro se refleja a la perfección, es la violencia que desata el miedo al diferente. El no entender algo suele provocar odio, y en esta historia vemos a varios personajes cuyas diferencias despiertan esta violencia en las personas que les rodean. Nadie trata de ayudar o de comprender a estas personas, solo señalarlas y apartarlas. Brutal la crítica.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. En el final no he podido evitar echar unas lagrimillas. Ahora tengo una nueva necesidad, que sigan publicando la obra de Won-Pyung Sohn en castellano. Necesito leer todo lo que publique esta mujer.

Es un libro precioso que casi se convierte en un manifiesto en la importancia de la educación sentimental y emocional, aunque está situado en Corea del Sur, su planteamiento es universal: dos adolescentes que se enfrentan a dos condiciones diferentes, uno no puede sentir porque así lo indica su cerebro y otro siente tanto dolor que le encantaría no sentirlo. Este planteamiento nos recuerda por qué es tan importante analizar la masculinidad, lo peligroso de dejar solos a los adolescentes frente al dolor y sobre todo aprender que es válido ser vulnerable frente a otros, que ser hombre no es un indicador de nada. Almendra es una novela juvenil que apela al amor, al amor que como adultos debemos comprometernos a compartir en esta edad tan delicada, y lo genial de todo esto es que nunca subestima a su lector, no pretende señalar culpables, desde su objetividad es sensible y directa y nos muestra una tonalidad de personajes que cambian junto al lector. Recomiendo mucho este libro para reflexionar y cuestionarnos cómo admitimos lo que sentimos y cómo educamos a los niños y jóvenes en torno al amor, pero sobre todo qué significa ser valiente. Ser un hombre no significa no poder tener miedo, dolor o vulnerabilidad.

Para ser una historia sobre un personaje que no puede sentir, experimente todas las emociones posibles. Que gran libro.

I’m on BookTube! =)”This story is, in short, about a monster meeting another monster. One of the monsters is me.”It’s been ages I buddy read “Almond” with my friend Katja but I really wanted to write a review about the book. Unfortunately my life got in the way and I neither read as much as I wanted to nor did I manage to write reviews about the books I finished. I’m going to rectify that now though and after I wrote this review there will follow a couple of other reviews as well. So watch out for them. It’s about time I write them down. ;-) This said, let’s head right back to the actual review and speak about “Almond”.”Granny, why do people call me weird?”Her lips loosened.“Maybe it’s because you’re special. People just can’t stand it when something is different, eigoo, my adorable little monster.”Granny hugged me so tight my ribs hurt. She always called me a monster. To her, that wasn’t a bad thing.I wanted to read this book for a while and when my dear friend Katja asked me to read it together for the #Koreadathon I immediately said yes. We picked it for the “read a book recommended by a Korean celebrity” prompt and the fact that RM as well as SUGA of BTS read it and enjoyed it was enough reason to go for it as well. I trust my boys taste in books and I’m really glad I decided to go for “Almond” because it was an intriguing read and very thought-provoking. The plot of the book is easily described: It’s about a boy named Yunjae who was born with a brain condition named alexithymia which basically means that he can’t feel emotions. The part of his brain that is responsible for our feelings (and formed like an almond, hence the book title) isn’t fully developed and that causes him to have troubles to understand human emotions. Our MCs mother and his grandmother tried their best to teach him how to cope with his lack of emotions but then one day tragedy hits and Yunjae is left to fend for himself. ”People sometimes say how cool it’d be to be fearless, but they don’t know what they’re talking about. Fear is an instinctive defense mechanism necessary for survival. Not knowing fear doesn’t mean that you’re brave; it means you’re stupid enough to stay standing on the road when a car is charging towards you.”I had so many thoughts when I read this book and a lot of them had to do with the way Yunjae was raised. I know his mother and grandmother only had the best intentions and wanted him to blend in with everyone, but I think to some extent their constant efforts made it even more difficult for him to deal with his condition. Emotions are something you can’t learn because human feelings are very complex and some people will cry because they are happy while others will laugh even though they are sad. 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. The fine nuances of emotions... well they are something you can’t learn. So even though I understood where Yunjae’s mother was coming from I still didn’t agree with her methods. It felt like Yunjae was under a lot of pressure to learn “the proper reactions” and I kinda felt sorry for him. ”Dr. Shim was right – being ordinary was the trickiest path. Everyone thinks “ordinary” is easy and all, but how many of them would actually fit into the so-called smooth road the word implied?”Well, and then his grandma died and his mother was out of the picture as well, leaving him to fight through all the troubles on his own. Okay, almost all on his own because Dr. Shim was amazing and I loved that he helped him out! Honestly, bless his soul because he just accepted Yunjae the way he was and tried to help him as best as he could.

Me ha gustado una historia interesante que se basa en una enfermedad real.La verdad es que el libro se lee muy rápido debido a lo cortitos que son los capítulos y sin darte cuenta ya has leído un buen trecho.Últimamente he leído varios libros ubicados en Corea o bien sus autoras son de dicho país y me estoy llevando agradables sorpresas, esta ha sido una mas.Sinopsis: Almendra es una historia sobre crecer, descubrirse a uno mismo y aceptar que la ayuda no siempre viene por donde la esperamos.Yunjae tiene dieciséis años, está en la edad de las emociones desbordadas, el amor y la rabia. Pero las amígdalas de su cerebro son pequeñas, más pequeñas que una almendra y, como consecuencia, Yunjae es incapaz de sentir nada.Educado por su madre y su abuela, aprende a identificar las emociones de los demás y a fingir estados de ánimo para no destacar en un mundo que pronto lo tachará de extraño. «Si tu interlocutor llora, tú entrecierra los ojos, baja la cabeza y dale una suave palmada en la espalda», le dice su madre. Así construye una aparente normalidad que se hace trizas el día en que un psicópata ataca a ambas mujeres en la calle. Desde entonces, Yunjae debe aprender a vivir solo, sin deseo de derramar una lágrima, sin tristeza ni miedo ni felicidad.A Yunjae le tienden la mano personas improbables: un antiguo amigo de su madre, una chica capaz de romper certezas e incluso un abusón con más afinidad de la esperada. Los tres quebrarán la soledad del protagonista de Almendra.Una novela breve y lacerante en la que solo la empatía puede llevar a la esperanza.8/10

¿No os pasa que leéis un libro y pensáis: "Ojalá habérmelo leído cuando era adolescente"? Almendra es ESE libro para mí.Llevo un tiempo debatiéndome entre las 4 y las 5 estrellas, así que lo dejaré [en mi cabeza, porque goodreads...] en 4'5. Me ha encantado casi absolutamente todo. El estilo narrativo es simple y directo, como Yunjae. Y pese a ser un personaje con el que, en un principio, no podría empatizar nunca por mi personalidad, me he sentido muy cerca de él en cada una de las palabras. Vas de la mano con el protagonista mientras te guía por su pequeña (y dura, vista desde fuera) vida, pero no es excesivamente dramático. No busca eso para nada, sino que busca la simpleza de alguien con alexitima, de alguien que es incapaz sentir. Y ha sido precioso.No puedo evitar poner una pega estúpida: el libro tiene cuatro partes y la cuarta, excepto el final absoluto, me ha parecido demasiado irreal e inverosímil para ser una novela tan realista como es Almendra. Pero eso mismo me pasó con El curioso incidente del perro a medianoche (libro que, por cierto, tiene un aire a este), y me encantó igual.Sé que no me lee nadie por aquí, pero os pido que le deis una oportunidad. Vais a reír, llorar y cuestionaros vuestros propios sentimientos. O eso es al menos lo que me ha hecho sentir Yunjae.------Gracias por los likes! Podéis ver una reseña más extensa y con spoilers con mi amiga Lara en mi canal de booktube

I learned and discovered some new experiences in this book, especially about human emotions.I don't know how to describe this novel but a very emotional story to tell.Discover psychology and human thinking here.

7'5/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐"Almendra" me ha recordado a "Flores para Algernon". 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. Esto dificultará sus relaciones personales en su día a día.Nos parece ver a "Yunjae" indefenso en esta vida al igual que vimos a "Charlie" en "Flores para Algernon". Esa sinceridad e inocencia parece no permitirle encajar en este mundo. También está narrado en primera persona, con lo que "Won-pyung shon" (escritora) consigue hacernos sentir en un grado más íntimo a "Yunjae".Su abuela se encargará de que su "pequeño monstruito" pase desapercibido junto con la ayuda de la madre. Aunque un trágico suceso expondrá a "Yunjae" al mundo, donde se las tendrá que ver con "Goni", un abusón de colegio que cambiará su vida para siempre.Es un libro corto, 252 páginas la edición de bolsillo que he leído. Compuesto de 75 capítulos muy cortos + epílogo, con una prosa muy ágil. Así que se lee en un suspiro. ¡Recomendable!

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It's a revelation! After a month of reading Korean works in translation and just soaking in that feeling of "han" it's nice to get what is essentially a sunny middle-grade read! I mean it is still Korean, people get beaten and there's more than one brutal knife attack, but otherwise it's downright hopeful! Yunjae has a brain condition called Alexithymia which means he doesn't feel fear or anger. He's not good at reading other's emotions either and has to be taught to fake it by his mom and grandmother. Yunjae's a teenager so you can imagine how his condition is quickly seen by his peers - and he is soon targeted by the bully Gon. But they soon form an unlikely bond, until Dora enters the picture.Told from Yunjae's perspective, the English translation lends itself well to our emotionless protagonist, opting for a clean translation without the need for literary flourishes. The whole thing is a bit of a fairytale but I can't begrudge this uncharacteristically (for Korea) sunny read.