Almond

The greatest phenomenon in Korean fiction, now in a stunning illustrated edition

Yunjae was born with a brain condition called alexithymia, which makes it difficult for him to feel emotions like fear or anger. He has no friends—the two almond-shaped neurons deep in his brain have seen to that—but his devoted mother and grandmother provide him with a safe and content life. Their small 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. With their love and guidance, Yunjae grows up content, even happy, in this quiet and peaceful space.

Then, on Christmas Eve—his sixteenth birthday—everything changes. A shocking act of random violence shatters his world, leaving him alone to fend for himself. The most unexpected people will be the ones to break his isolation and offer him a helping hand: a schoolmate, an old friend of his mother… and Gon, a troubled and aggressive teenager with whom Yunjae forms a unique
bond. Through them, he will discover how love, friendship, and perseverance can change a life forever.

This poignant and triumphant novel, in the vein of The Emissary and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, shines brightly thanks to Gema Vadillo’s full-colour illustrations.