A year ago, Agust D, also known as Suga of BTS, released a song called "Amygdala" along with its music video. In this song, the singer revisits some of his most traumatic moments. Agust D has been one of my favourite rappers ever since he released "Nevermind." The term "Amygdala" was new to me, and as I researched, I found that it refers to a small almond-shaped part of the brain that processes emotions. I bring up this song in my novel review because the term "Amygdala" is frequently mentioned in the novel "Almond" by Sohn Won Pyung. Both Suga and RM recommended this book, and I discovered that "Almond" is one of a BTS fan's favourite books.
"Almond" is a beautiful novel that conveys profound messages about how even a person with no emotions can learn to love, though it takes effort. The story revolves around Yunjae, who has alexithymia, and his journey toward feeling emotions through his friendship with Gon. Despite the ups and downs they face, Yunjae's devoted mother and grandmother support him in coping with his condition. Their home, located above his mother's bookstore, is adorned with colourful reminders to express emotions such as smiling and saying "thank you."
On Yunjae's sixteenth birthday, a tragic event leaves him alone and struggling to cope. He withdraws into isolation until Gon, a troubled teenager, starts bullying him at school. Despite their initial conflicts, they discover common ground and form an unexpected friendship. This newfound connection leads Yunjae to open up to new people, ultimately helping him experience true feelings. When Gon's life is endangered, Yunjae steps out of his comfort zone to become an unlikely hero.
Reading "Almond" was like living the life of Yunjae. The interactions between Yunjae, Dr. Shim, and Dr. Yun are so immersive that it feels like experiencing them firsthand. The novel delves deeply into Gon's journey and his truly remarkable perspective. There are moments when Yunjae's struggles deeply resonate, and it's heartbreaking to see how society labels him as emotionless and strange when, in reality, he's just misunderstood.
The novel beautifully captures the sentiment, "Books took me to places I could never go otherwise. They shared the confessions of people I'd never met and lives I'd never witnessed. The emotions I could never feel and the events I hadn't experienced could all be found in those volumes." It skillfully portrays the typical lives of Korean families exquisitely. The characters in the story initially seem ordinary, but the storytelling elevates them to extraordinary. The narrative paints a quietly rebellious existence, where suffering itself is portrayed as something inherently aesthetic. It's as if every reader can resonate with this kind of suffering, capturing the beauty within it.
Sohn Won Pyung, the author, adeptly addresses sensitive topics that deserve attention. Through the eyes of Yunjae, we witness a chaotic yet beautiful evolution as he grapples with his challenges and gradually develops emotions. "Almond" is a must-read for fans of realistic fiction, philosophy enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a comforting read. It's a perfect coming-of-age and slice-of-life novel that imparts meaningful lessons. In conclusion, "Almond" is a must-read for teenagers and individuals looking to immerse themselves in the world of emotion.
Some of my favourite quotes from this novel are as follows:
- There is no such person who can't be saved. There are only people who give up trying to save others
- Once you repeat the same word over and over, there comes a time when its meaning fades,
- I've decided to confront it. Confront whatever life throws at me, as I always have. However much I can feel, nothing more, nothing less.
- Love is what makes a person a human, as well as what makes a monster.
- Parents start out with grand expectations for their kids. But when things don't go as expected they just want their kids to be ordinary thinking, it's simple. But being ordinary is the hardest thing to achieve.
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