“Even though my brain was a mess, what kept my soul whole was the warmth of the hands holding mine on both sides”, Almond by Sohn Won-Pyung
This statement stuck with me. It was such a poignant statement yet it said a lot about the protagonist’s personality and his compassion.
Almond is a poignant coming-of-age novel by South Korean author Sohn Won-Pyung. The story follows Yunjae, a boy born with alexithymia—a condition that makes it difficult for him to experience emotions like fear, anger, or joy. Raised by his loving yet pragmatic mother and grandmother, Yunjae learns to navigate the world through their guidance. However, a tragic event leaves him alone and vulnerable, forcing him to interact with a world that doesn’t understand him.
Enter Gon, a troubled and angry boy who becomes both Yunjae’s tormentor and reluctant friend. As their relationship develops, Yunjae slowly begins to grasp the complexities of human emotion and connection.
“From what I understood, love was an extreme idea. A word that seemed to force something undefinable into the prison of letters. But the word was used so easily, so often. People spoke of love so casually, just to mean the slightest pleasure or thanks.”- Almond by Sohn Won-Pyung
Almond is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that explores themes of empathy, trauma, and personal growth. Sohn Won-Pyung’s writing is simple yet evocative, making the story both accessible and profound. Yunjae’s narration is stark and straightforward, reflecting his inability to process emotions, which contrasts powerfully with the emotional turmoil of the characters around him.
The novel shines in its character development. Yunjae’s gradual transformation, alongside the raw and volatile Gon, makes for a compelling dynamic. Their friendship, built on contrasts and unspoken understanding, highlights the novel’s central message: emotions are what make us human, but they can take many forms.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its exploration of societal expectations of emotion. Yunjae’s struggle to fit in, the reactions of those around him, and the ways in which he learns to navigate the world offer a thought-provoking perspective on what it means to be “normal.” This book also highlights about the social norms which quite quickly differentiates and labels some one as ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’. I was impressed how Pyung tickled in me the thought that how much environment and the societal norms defines us and sets standards for us. And as denizens of this society we have to mould ourselves or fight through to have our grounding strong to be an entity of this society.
Almond is a powerful and heartwarming read that lingers in the mind long after the last page. It’s a story about resilience, human connection, and the idea that even those who struggle with emotions can still find ways to love and be loved.
I will give this book 4.5 stars out of 5