What This Book Is About
Yunjae was born with a condition called alexithymia—his amygdalae (the almond-shaped structures in the brain that process emotions) don't work properly. He cannot feel fear, anger, sadness, or joy. He can memorize the definitions of emotions and recognize them in others, but he experiences the world as a flat, gray landscape where nothing reaches him. His grandmother and mother have spent years teaching him to mimic appropriate emotional responses so he can pass as "normal."
Then two things happen that crack Yunjae's world open. A violent tragedy takes away the people he depends on most. And he meets Gon, an angry, volatile boy who is everything Yunjae is not—explosive, passionate, reckless. Their unlikely friendship becomes the experiment: can someone who cannot feel learn to connect? Can someone drowning in emotion learn to think? Won-Pyung Sohn's Korean bestseller (translated into over 20 languages) is a quiet, devastating novel about what it means to be human when the very thing that makes us human—emotion—is missing.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
Almond introduces students to neurodiversity in a way that is both scientifically grounded and deeply humane. Yunjae's condition is real (alexithymia affects approximately 10% of the population), and the novel treats it with medical accuracy while telling a compelling story. For UWC students learning about psychology, biology, and human diversity, this book bridges disciplines naturally.
The novel also comes from Korean literature—broadening students' exposure beyond the Anglophone canon that dominates most reading lists. UWC's commitment to international-mindedness includes literary diversity, and Almond demonstrates that powerful storytelling transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries.
Reading Level Guide
Challenging at A2. Build confidence with A2-B1 books first, then come back to this one.
Ideal difficulty. Right in the sweet spot for steady growth.
Easy at C1. A quick, enjoyable read—great for pleasure or genre exploration.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.