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Won-Pyung Sohn
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Almond: A Novel Hardcover – May 5, 2020

by Won-pyung Sohn (Author), Sandy Joosun Lee (Translator)
4.6 out of 5 stars 6,538 ratings
Editors' pick Best Literature & Fiction

A BTS fan favorite! A WALL STREET JOURNAL STORIES THAT CAN TAKE YOU ANYWHERE PICK * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY'S STAY HOME AND READ PICK * SALON'S BEST AND BOLDEST * BUSTLE'S MOST ANTICIPATED 

The Emissary meets The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime in this poignant and triumphant story about how love, friendship, and persistence can change a life forever.

This story is, in short, about a monster meeting another monster. 

One of the monsters is me.

Yunjae was born with a brain condition called Alexithymia that makes it hard for him to feel emotions like fear or anger. He does not have friends—the two almond-shaped neurons located deep in his brain have seen to that—but his devoted mother and grandmother provide him with a safe and content life. Their little home above his mother’s used bookstore is decorated with colorful Post-it notes that remind him when to smile, when to say "thank you," and when to laugh.

Then on Christmas Eve—Yunjae’s sixteenth birthday—everything changes. A shocking act of random violence shatters his world, leaving him alone and on his own. Struggling to cope with his loss, Yunjae retreats into silent isolation, until troubled teenager Gon arrives at his school, and they develop a surprising bond.

As Yunjae begins to open his life to new people—including a girl at school—something slowly changes inside him. And when Gon suddenly finds his life at risk, Yunjae will have the chance to step outside of every comfort zone he has created to perhaps become the hero he never thought he would be.

Readers of Wonder by R.J. Palaccio and Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig will appreciate this "resonant" story that "gives Yunjae the courage to claim an entirely different story." (Booklist, starred review)

Translated from the Korean by Sandy Joosun Lee.

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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HarperVia
  4. Publication date
    May 5, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.93 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0062961373
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0062961372
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  1. 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.
    Highlighted by 3,096 Kindle readers
  2. Even though my brain was a mess, what kept my soul whole was the warmth of the hands holding mine on both sides.
    Highlighted by 2,752 Kindle readers
  3. 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.
    Highlighted by 2,421 Kindle readers
  4. There is no such person who can’t be saved. There are only people who give up on trying to save others.
    Highlighted by 2,158 Kindle readers
  5. “What does love mean?” Mom asked mischievously. “To discover beauty.”
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From the Publisher

a

b

c

Almond
Counterattacks at Thirty
Customer Reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars 6,538
4.6 out of 5 stars 6
Price $11.04 $21.59

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

An Amazon Best Book of May 2020: I’m just going to say it: This novel made me laugh, wince, hold my breath with anticipation, and cry. I couldn’t put it down. When Yunjae sees another kid getting beat up in an alley, he just stares. He doesn’t intervene, he doesn’t run away. Pages later, we learn this Korean boy’s inability to express or understand emotion (including anger, which he has plenty reason to feel) is due to a mental disorder. The reality of Yunjae’s condition is pushed to the limits in this brilliantly fresh novel. As he comes of age, an unimaginable tragedy strikes his family, and Yunjae must navigate the world on his own—high school, running his mother’s bookstore, teenage brawls, and an emotion he has never understood: love. Violence threatens him at every turn, but it is precisely his disability that allows him to survive. Filled with heart-aching sentences and stunning moments of resilience and care (when you learn why he eats almonds, I defy you not to feel a pang), Won-pyung Sohn’s debut novel examines a world in which connection trumps emotion and loyalty becomes more than a feeling.—Al Woodworth, Amazon Book Review

Review

"A boldly original piece of fiction, plumbing the depths of the human condition with plenty of humor along the way." -- Entertainment Weekly

"In her debut novel, film director and screenwriter Sohn Won-pyung (with the assistance of translator Sandy Joosun Lee) has created a tender exploration of adolescence — a universal experience complicated here by extraordinary circumstances. This is one of those books that deftly straddles the line between young adult and adult fiction; it has such a gentle heart that readers of all ages will recognize and sympathize with the characters' struggles and celebrate when they ultimately triumph." -- Salon

“Won-pyung Sohn understands that those who think, feel, and communicate differently aren't society's villains, they are its saviors. Her writing possesses seemingly unlimited empathy and tenderness.”  -- Madeleine Ryan, author of A Room Called Earth 

“In what might be the first novel to feature a protagonist with alexithymia—an inability to identify and express one’s feelings—Korean novelist Sohn’s affecting debut arrives stateside. Raised by his grandmother and mother who worked diligently to guide him through everyday social interactions, Yunjae at 15 is effectively orphaned…. As Yunjae risks communication and connection, the eponymous almond—the undeveloped amygdalae of his brain—takes seed, and gives Yunjae the courage to claim 'an entirely different story. New and unknown.' Winner of the prestigious Changbi Prize for Young Adult Fiction in Korea, Sohn presents a 15-year-old neurodiverse protagonist with much resonance.” -- Booklist (starred review)

“Almond is a tour de force -- deeply engaging, engrossing, and troubling -- a poignant allegory of the contemporary Korean condition that marks the debut of a new international talent." -- Heinz Insu Fenkl, author of Memories of My Ghost Brother and translator of The Nine Cloud Dream by Kim Man-jung 

“Delicate and heartbreaking. Like peeling a fruit, Sohn bares human emotion and questions the human condition with a gentle hunger.”  -- -Jamie Marina Lau, author of Pink Mountain on Locust Island

“In her debut novel, director and screenwriter Sohn makes the bold decision to choose an emotionally constricted first-person narrator, but the risk pays off. With the aid of a skillful translation…the novel will appeal fully to adults, but mature young readers who must cope in their everyday lives with the struggles of late adolescence will find themselves identifying with Yunjae and moved by his plight. A sensitive exploration of what it's like to live at life's emotional poles.”  -- Kirkus Reviews

"The narration by a young protagonist with a disorder that affects his ability to identify and express feelings will rightly draw comparisons to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, but Sohn's insightful depiction of an outsider's perspective on society around him will also please fans of other narrators who sharply consider the world at a remove, such as in The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Readers will treasure the opportunity to see the world through Yunjae's eyes and watch him as he grows." -- Shelf Awareness

"Intense and moving...a phenomenal book that deserves a wide audience among readers."  -- Wall Street Journal

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperVia (May 5, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062961373
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062961372
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.93 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 6,538 ratings

About the author

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Won-Pyung Sohn

Won-Pyung Sohn

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Sohn Won-pyung (b.1979) earned her BA in social studies and philosophy at Sogang University and film directing at Korean Academy of Film Arts. She won the Film Review Award of the 6th Cine21 in 2001. Her movie script “I Believe In the Moment” won the Science Fantasy Writers’ Award in 2006. She also wrote and directed a number of short films including Oooh You Make Me Sick (2005), and A Two-way Monologue (2007). She made her literary debut in 2017 when her first full-length novel Almond won the Changbi Prize for Young Adult Fiction, immediately garnering rave reactions from the readers. A new generation of a storyteller, she wrote her next full-length novel, Born in 1988 which won the Jeju 4.3 Peace Literary Award. She is active in both movie and literary scenes as a film director, screenwriter, and novelist.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
6,538 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book an easy and enjoyable read with a thought-provoking story that keeps them engaged throughout. The writing style is well-executed, with one customer noting how the author explains events in detailed accuracy. Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the narrative, particularly how it explores trauma and grief, and one review highlights how it brings awareness to judging people based on personality. Customers praise the character development, with one review specifically mentioning the unusual Korean characters, while another appreciates how it focuses on everyday people.

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48 customers mention "Readability"48 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy and enjoyable to read, with one mentioning it's a great book club selection.

"I cannot begin to explain how amazing this book was...." Read more

"I love this book. Recommend. It definitely was a different read for me." Read more

"...It’s easy reading; most chapters are extremely short so it’s the kind of book you can pick up & put down at intervals." Read more

"...It’s the best book I’ve read, no doubt about it, I see why BTS recommend this book. Read this book for a better life." Read more

31 customers mention "Story quality"26 positive5 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging and thought-provoking, describing it as a beautiful tale of friendship that draws readers in. One customer notes how the narrative unfolds through the main character's perspective.

"...sad and were skeptical about reading it but this is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read...." Read more

"I flew through this book. It was very enthralling. I love books about friendship, and this book really makes you feel for the characters." Read more

"...Yunjaes story was so unique and the way the writer portrayed him with so much growth throughout the story was so inspiring...." Read more

"I enjoyed this story, and I can imagine I would have loved it as a14 year old...." Read more

17 customers mention "Writing style"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it well composed and translated, with one customer noting how the author explains events with detailed accuracy.

"This book is interestingly and unusually written in first person by a boy with a brain abnormality that makes him unable to feel or express emotions...." Read more

"Honestly, such an amazing book. It’s so well wrote, the words show so much power and hit hard...." Read more

"...I loved the descriptions. Because he had no feelings, the author described sooooo much and it really made you think about the feelings or lack there..." Read more

"...or composition that give you insight to each character was beautifully written, this author knows people and loves people...." Read more

13 customers mention "Heartwarming"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming and emotional, particularly noting how it portrays how people process trauma and grief.

"...I loved the emotional roller coaster. So many lines from this book touched me, but I think “plum flavored candy” sums it all up...." Read more

"Read this book to know the true meaning of feelings...." Read more

"...This book is largely about how people process trauma and grief and how everyone does it differently. I think this book is also about community...." Read more

"...feelings, the author described sooooo much and it really made you think about the feelings or lack there of the character and translate that to real..." Read more

13 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive3 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book engaging, with one customer noting how it hooks readers right in and keeps them captivated throughout.

"...(which might be intentional given the narrator) the pacing and reasoning is beautiful...." Read more

"...it’s a very easy read that provokes a lot of emotion, making it really enjoyable. it made me cry a bunch and i loved every bit of it...." Read more

"...It is not a long story, but I was thoroughly engaged from the beginning. It is well worth the read." Read more

"...Also managed to keep me captivated the entire time despite the lack of action" Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them interesting, with one customer particularly noting the unusual Korean characters and another mentioning the development of friendships with unexpected characters.

"...I love books about friendship, and this book really makes you feel for the characters." Read more

"...The book is filled with unusual Korean characters and it takes place in South Korea...." Read more

"...I found this book to be incredibly original and follows the main character through a few years of life which include tragedy and developing..." Read more

"...a reader and does a perfect job at writing in a way that connects with the main character. I would recommend this book to anyone...." Read more

10 customers mention "Thought provoking"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one customer noting how it brings awareness to those who are judged on their personality, while another mentions how it stirs empathy as the story unfolds.

"...I like that this book focuses on everyday people and it’s rooted in daily life...." Read more

"An amazing story that will stir up empathy as the story unfolds...." Read more

"...It reinforces the concept of giving everyone a chance, despite first impressions and gossip...." Read more

"...I read it bc of the psychological aspect and i think everyone should read it. Although when you do read it have some tissues on standby." Read more

“Plum Flavored Candy”
5 out of 5 stars
“Plum Flavored Candy”
I cannot begin to explain how amazing this book was. I became aware of this book because of Namjoon from BTS, and began searching for the English version of the book. After reading this book, I am grateful for not just the writer but for the translator as well. The translation of the words down to the emotions were perfect. I loved the emotional roller coaster. So many lines from this book touched me, but I think “plum flavored candy” sums it all up. People said this book was really sad and were skeptical about reading it but this is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. The stories of two boys changed interchangeably by love. This book taught me that sometimes what we see may not always be all there is.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Angela Houndje
    5.0 out of 5 stars “Plum Flavored Candy”
    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I cannot begin to explain how amazing this book was. I became aware of this book because of Namjoon from BTS, and began searching for the English version of the book. After reading this book, I am grateful for not just the writer but for the translator as well. The translation of the words down to the emotions were perfect. I loved the emotional roller coaster. So many lines from this book touched me, but I think “plum flavored candy” sums it all up. People said this book was really sad and were skeptical about reading it but this is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. The stories of two boys changed interchangeably by love. This book taught me that sometimes what we see may not always be all there is.
    Customer image
    Angela Houndje
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    “Plum Flavored Candy”

    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2021
    I cannot begin to explain how amazing this book was. I became aware of this book because of Namjoon from BTS, and began searching for the English version of the book. After reading this book, I am grateful for not just the writer but for the translator as well. The translation of the words down to the emotions were perfect. I loved the emotional roller coaster. So many lines from this book touched me, but I think “plum flavored candy” sums it all up. People said this book was really sad and were skeptical about reading it but this is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. The stories of two boys changed interchangeably by love. This book taught me that sometimes what we see may not always be all there is.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    7 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Julia
    4.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I flew through this book. It was very enthralling. I love books about friendship, and this book really makes you feel for the characters.
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  • Barbara Castro
    5.0 out of 5 stars 100% Recommend
    Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I love this book. Recommend. It definitely was a different read for me.
    One person found this helpful
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  • alycia pullen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such an eye opening story
    Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I’ve seen this book all over and it’s been sitting in my kindle library for far too long. I decided to give it a shot and it drew me in within the first few pages.
    Yunjaes story was so unique and the way the writer portrayed him with so much growth throughout the story was so inspiring. Honestly I cried when he was explaining how he interrupted love. Then he started to feel things but didn’t understand what was happening 🥺 The mom heart inside of me just wanted to hug him and tell him that he was “normal” and that he was loved.
    I was a bit hesitant about Gon at first but I grew to love him too. When he was slowly becoming friends with Yunjae I did sense a bit more chemistry there, but I am glad the writer didn’t go there. I think that added more to show how close their friendship was. Then that boy had to go slip up…
    That ending had me crying and I thought I was going to loose it. The writer was write though, you never know if an ending is truly a happy one or a tragic one.
    One person found this helpful
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  • mauricio anaya
    5.0 out of 5 stars LOVED ITTTTT
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    OMG OMG WOW. BEAUTIFUL BOOK AMAZING BUY IT I SAID BUY. BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ.
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  • SFSenior
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not my cup of tea
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book is interestingly and unusually written in first person by a boy with a brain abnormality that makes him unable to feel or express emotions. He explains everything he witnesses in detailed accuracy but without reaction.

    Its value, I suppose, is in showing readers a way of experiencing the world that most would never imagine, by comparison with the other characters in the story who live and suffer in more familiar ways.

    It didn’t grab me—though maybe that’s the point. It’s easy reading; most chapters are extremely short so it’s the kind of book you can pick up & put down at intervals.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Leigh
    4.0 out of 5 stars A unique about a very unique character
    Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This was an interesting read. I don’t remember how I came across it but I saw it one day and added to my TBR out of curiosity. This book is about Yunjae who has a rare brain condition that makes it difficult to express and process emotions. Yunjae also experiences a tragic event during his adolescence and this book shows how he copes and processes his trauma. He meets people along the way who impact his life significantly like Gon and Dr. Shim.

    This book is described as a YA novel but I don’t think that label really matters because it discusses trauma and some of the violence is quite descriptive. Many adults could take something from this book as well. I wanted to read this book because I think like most people the primary way that we engage with Korean media is through Kpop, so I wanted to branch out and learn about Korean culture through a different medium, and from a different perspective. I like that this book focuses on everyday people and it’s rooted in daily life. The short chapters also make the pacing of the book move quickly which I liked.

    This book is largely about how people process trauma and grief and how everyone does it differently. I think this book is also about community. Humans are social beings and we make connections and relationships with the most unlikely people. But those people can also be your support system.

    This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it for people who want to read something that they normally wouldn’t. Also if your looking for a book with neurodiversity this is the one.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Neetu
    5.0 out of 5 stars all we want is some to believe in ourselves. that’s the best feeling ever
    Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Read this book to know the true meaning of feelings. How many of them have been just labeled and we as humans just follow the society rule book to express them.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Bernadette Dekker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, engaging story.
    Reviewed in Australia on April 24, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    What an interesting premise, a boy who feels no emotions, and his relationships with others. Captivating and intriguing. A very thought provoking novel. Loved it.
    Report
  • Regiely P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely recommendable.
    Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on May 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book makes me feel different emotions and at the same time got to realize others feeling. Not to judge once behaviour immediately but to be more understanding about the situation or their situation. I never heard this kind of Disorder until this book so I gained new Knowledge as well :)
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  • Maram A.
    5.0 out of 5 stars جميلة الرواية
    Reviewed in Saudi Arabia on October 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    ♥️♥️♥️
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  • Raina
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Beautiful Portrayal of Youth, Friendship, and What It Means to be Human
    Reviewed in Canada on July 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book out of curiosity because it was one of RM and Suga's recommended list of books. This book does not disappoint! It needs to be a book that needs to be read in middle or high school, and beyond.

    Follow the story of Yunjae, a South Korean boy with a brain condition called alexithymia. Yunjae is almost immediately cast as an outcast due to societal stigma and norms that draw fine lines between what is acceptable and what is abnormal. Although highly intelligent and mature, Yunjae's inability to display emotions places him in comical, yet tragic and ironic situations.

    I can't write more about this story without giving away spoilers so I'll stop here. But I have to praise Won-Pyung Sohn's ability to write such a captivating story that is full of heart. The novel's smooth narration, plot, and well-developed characters were what won me over. My faith in humanity was restored as I explored themes about love and friendship, as well as what it means to be alive within this book.

    Highly recommended! Do read it. I hope that you will feel everything, and perhaps more, just as I have from this book.
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  • Dejean
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super!
    Reviewed in France on May 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    J’ai vraiment aimé la simplicité du livre et les paroles assez provocantes du protagoniste. Je conseille
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