Gon has a tremendous amount of animosity towards Yunjae. First of all, Yunjae essentially takes Gon’s place during a family tragedy, adding even more strain to a tense relationship between Gon and his parents. Secondly, Gon is very in touch with his emotions and will do anything to mask them. He strives for the perceived toughness and apathy of Yunjae, who has a neurological condition that makes it difficult for him to interpret and express emotions and their associated behaviors. Yunjae is often the target of Gon’s rage, yet they manage to form an unlikely friendship. After Yunjae’s caretakers are stabbed by an unknown attacker, Gon is one of the main characters who fills their shoes, teaching Yunjae about the world and its many social norms. Their unique dynamics are further complicated as they endure public outbursts, a crush, “empathy training” that goes too far, brutal beatings, and a disappearance. Almond, by Won-pyung Sohn, tells a powerful, gripping story about neurodivergent people, the ways people cope with intense feelings, and what it truly means to be human and find a sense of connection. In this episode of “RM’s Recs,” Hope summarizes Almond, breaks down the main characters’ many layers, shares the most powerful quotes, and opens up about the power of seeing oneself represented in literature in such a refreshingly nuanced way.
